We keeping eating more and more as a nation and as a globe. Last year's per capita seafood consumption data for the U.S. was just released. Seafood consumption has increased: from 16.2 lbs per capita in 2005 to 16.5 lbs. per capita in 2006. Many conservationists had hoped the pace had slowed after data from 2005 showed a decrease from the record 2004 consumption of 16.6 lbs. per capita. Not so.
Annual U.S. per capita consumption of seafood (kg), 2001-2006
In the U.S., annual per capita consumption of seafood has increased by roughly 30 percent since 1910. Couple demand with population and the U.S. now consumes five times more fish than it did a hundred years ago. So how do we continue feeding an infinite appetite?
Aquaculture now accounts for nearly half of all seafood produced. And we've started changing our eating habits to reflect changes in the marine ecosystems. We will continue to eat lower and lower on the marine food chain (to reflect fishing down the marine food webs). "When I first began talking about jellyfish burgers in the late 1990s, I did it as sort of an absurd metaphor," says Daniel Pauly. "I had no idea it would become a reality."
A brief web browse yields plenty of jellyfish recipes. Jellyfish are usually shredded, scalded, and served in a soy sauce dressing or on a mixed salad. For the hectic Japanese lifestyle, jellyfish are conveniently packaged with condiments such as wasabi or mustard.
As for jellyfish burgers, Pauly believes one day they'll be sold. "But they'll be called something else," Pauly says. "Something like 'flower of the sea' burger, to disassociate them with jellyfish."
Comments
This really isn't funny, it's just depressing. I can totally see it coming. And it will be promoted with a tone of hipness, newness and excitement. I'm surprised it hasn't hit sushi yet -- people are always looking for the coolest, hippest latest piece of biota to order on the sushi menu. I bet it starts with some cool names for it. As Daniel points out, it all begins with the language. They'll probably bring in Frank Luntz (the guy who gave the Republicans the Clear Skies and Healthy Forests initiatives) and have him come up with names that will sound healthy and green.
Posted by: Randy Olson, Head Dodo | July 2, 2007 6:59 AM
it's true that the increasing consumption of seafood in the united states has not abated, and many scientists are turning to other means and substitutions (this post points out that aquacultures currently account for half the seafood produced, which is why it's great that natural fertilizers might work for this), and in doing so you end up with scenarios of jellyfish burgers and deer sushi.
looking at the reasons why seafood consumption continues to increase, it's partly science's fault- the public is inundated with high-profile studies which stress the health benefit of increasing omega 3 consumption (so much that scientists are starting to supplant other foods with them). however, it is also science's responsibility to stress sustainable and educated choices about seafood. for example, the monterey bay aquarium has a simple, easy to read seafood guide on their website.
perhaps jellyfish burgers aren't so far off, but i'd also like to point out that in asian cuisines (which she cites their most frequent use), we mostly eat it marinated and pickled in salad-like concoctions. plus it's a little rubbery for my taste.
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Posted by: J. | July 2, 2007 10:43 AM
Does this mean that Green Fluorescent Protein may be food-safe?...
Posted by: SMC | July 2, 2007 12:33 PM
Sure beats Solent Green though...doesn't it?
Posted by: Hugh | July 2, 2007 11:48 PM
I'd bet GFP is food safe - some colleagues and I were joking about engineering yeast to secrete GFP and other spectral variants (e.g. red, blue fluorescent protein) into beer. Ideally, the beer would fluoresce under the UV lights in bars, add a dash of marketing and voila - $$$.
We looked it up Beck's already had the patent...
Posted by: Pelio | July 3, 2007 2:13 PM
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW dats nasty if u ever put sumtin like dat out...
jellyfish burger lol TRAMPS
Posted by: eee | April 10, 2008 8:35 AM
youre nasty
Posted by: chloe | May 5, 2008 6:07 AM
this is a load of poop
Posted by: bob | June 9, 2008 2:41 AM
this ia a crap website coz u make me as the munches and now im very hungy hahahahaha dooo that shiiiiet and now im going to poop me self me pants and im going to become verry FAT all thanks to you poopy website :P
Posted by: the big momma blud | June 9, 2008 2:45 AM
We looked it up Beck's already had the patent...
Posted by: ruya tabirleri | March 26, 2009 7:47 AM
Animals are friends of human beings to kill animals is a crime, we should stop them, I support the author.
Posted by: video game | January 4, 2010 7:12 PM