We can all rejoice that a more liberal Pope relieved Catholics of the requirement to eat fish on Friday. Yet, perhaps, we should all eat fish at least once a week. Fish are low in fat, high in protein, and many contain a beneficial type of fat. Fish farming is not necessarily the answer to an increased fish supply. Each tank of water in which fish are raised becomes heavily polluted.
Extensive treatment is needed to avoid the danger of discharging such water.
Unfortunately, treatment is not generally required. In many fish farming areas, there has been widespread pollution of local lands and waters. Their water is needed for domestic use but is also needed for hydroelectric power generation. In our country, and elsewhere, there have been measures to limit catches, make seasonal restraints to allow spawning, conserve critical habitat and prohibit or limit some of the more destructive methods of commercial fishing. A few species are beginning to benefit from these efforts.