Fish as food

Fish is an important food for people everywhere. Many kinds of fish are caught and eaten. They give us good protein and other important nutrients we need to stay healthy. Unlike meat from land animals, English does not have a special word for cooked fish.

Since 1961, people have been eating more fish. More fish is caught, and we have found better ways to share it. As people’s money grows and cities get bigger, more people are choosing to eat fish.

In the past, countries like Europe, Japan, and the United States ate most of the world’s fish. But now, Asia eats more than two-thirds of all the fish in the world. This is because Asian countries now catch a lot of fish, and their markets are growing quickly.

Species

More than 32,000 species of fish have been found. Fish are one of the most diverse animal groups with backbones. Along with many types of shellfish, fish are a popular food choice. But only about 20% of all fish species are eaten by people.

Preparation

See also: Fish processing

Fish can be prepared in many ways. It can be eaten raw, like in sashimi. It can also be cured by marinating, like in ceviche, or by pickling, like pickled herring. Fish can be smoked, like smoked salmon. It can also be cooked by baking, frying (like fish and chips), grilling, poaching (like court-bouillon), or steaming.

Fish is softer than meat because it has less connective tissue. A British historian wrote about how a leader needed help to decide the best way to cook a special fish called turbot.

Nutritional value

Fish is an important food all over the world. It gives people good protein and helps them get nutrients their bodies need. Eating a small piece of fish, about the size of a deck of cards, can give a person almost half the protein they need for the day. In places where there isn’t a lot of food, fish helps make sure people get enough protein.

Fish also has vitamins and minerals that are good for the body. Some fish, like haddock, have very little fat. Other fish, like sardines, have more fat and this fat helps the body stay healthy.

Health benefits

See also: Health benefits of eating seafood

Eating oily fish with omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce swelling and lower the chance of heart problems. Experts suggest eating about 140 grams of this type of fish once a week. Eating more omega-3 fatty acids might lower the risk of serious heart problems.

Health hazards

Fish bones can get stuck in a person's throat and make it hard to breathe. Some people can get very sick from eating fish if they are allergic. Their bodies may react badly and need quick help from a doctor.

Certain fish, like the fugu pufferfish used in sushi, can be dangerous if not prepared correctly. These fish have toxins that can make people very sick. Only special chefs are allowed to prepare this fish.

Other fish, like sea bass or tuna, can also cause sickness if eaten from certain areas or left out too long. Some toxins in fish cannot be removed by normal cooking.

Fish from the ocean can sometimes have harmful metals like mercury. It's best for young children and pregnant women to eat smaller fish like salmon or pollock to stay safe.

When fish is eaten raw, like in sushi, there is a risk of parasites. Freezing the fish properly can help prevent these problems.

Pescetarianism

See also: Pescetarianism

A pescetarian is someone who eats fish and other seafood but does not eat mammals or birds.

People who eat fish and plant foods might be a little healthier than people who eat regular meat. However, groups that do not eat any animal products, like the Vegetarian Society, do not think fish is part of a vegetarian diet.

In religion

Many religions have special rules about eating fish. In Jewish tradition, fish is treated differently from other meats. Jewish rules allow mixing fish with dairy products, unlike other meats. Fish is often eaten on special days like Shabbat.

In Christianity, fish has special meaning. Jesus is said to have eaten fish and told his followers where to catch it. During certain times of fasting, such as Lent in the Catholic Church, people could eat fish even when other meats were not allowed. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, some fast days allow fish, but stricter days may only allow seafood like shrimp and oysters.

Muslims also have different rules for fish compared to other meats, as fish does not need special preparation before it can be eaten. Some Buddhists and Hindus also prefer fish over other meats.

Environmental impact of fish consumption

Main article: Environmental impact of fishing

Further information: Overfishing, Bycatch, Marine debris, and Environmental impact of fisheries subsidies

Eating fish can affect the environment. Fishing can sometimes take too many fish from the ocean. This can upset the balance of marine life. This is called overfishing. When fishing, other animals that are not the target may also get caught. This is called bycatch. This can harm those animals and the ecosystem. Waste and debris from fishing can pollute the ocean and harm marine animals. These issues show why it's important to think about how we get our fish and how it impacts the world around us.

Taboos on eating fish

See also: Taboo food and drink § Fish

Some groups of people do not eat fish because of their culture. For example, most Somali people clans do not eat fish and do not marry clans that do.

In parts of southeastern Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, and northern Tanzania, many people also avoid eating fish. This is often called the "Cushitic fish-taboo" because it is linked to the Cushitic languages spoken in these areas.

Some Bantu speakers in Southern Africa also avoid fish, though it is not clear if this practice developed on its own or came from other groups.

Certain religions have rules about which fish can be eaten. For example, in Judaism, some fish like the freshwater eel and all catfish are not eaten because they lack visible fins or scales. In Islam, most types of fish are allowed, but some groups have different rules.

Dishes

Main article: List of fish dishes

Fish is used to make many tasty dishes around the world. Some popular ones include Fish and chips, Sushi, and Smoked salmon. Others are Ceviche, Paella, and Sashimi. Many cultures enjoy fish in different ways.