Shifting Baselines, Increasing Profits

Two seafood companies in Britain were listed yesterday among the top 100 private firms with the fastest growing profits. Increase in seafood demand may lead to decline for wild fisheries stocks but not necessarily for revenue, which is what happened on the East Coast when overfishing of cod and other higher trophic level fishes led to an increase in high value shellfish. Hard to muster much fuss over shifting baselines when the profits continue to rise.

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I know many folks who appreciate the boom in lower trophic level species and are enjoying the profit of newly emerging markets. With declining traditionally harvested populations comes economic opportunity. Call it a modern day Pollyanna approach to stock collapse.. when life deals you jellyfish, make a salad - garnished with a fancy name and hefty pricetag!

I think people differ greatly on this issue. For example, if it were completely unidentifiable as my own, I would have no problem with a picture of my naked ass being posted on the Internet. Others would be absolutely horrified by the prospect.

I think people differ greatly on this issue. For example, if it were completely unidentifiable as my own, I would have no problem with a picture of my naked ass being posted on the Internet. Others would be absolutely horrified by the prospect.

I think people differ greatly on this issue. For example, if it were completely unidentifiable as my own, I would have no problem with a picture of my naked ass being posted on the Internet. Others would be absolutely horrified by the prospect.