Why Eating Local Fish Is Climate Action

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Local Fish

By Local Fish

Climate change is on everyone’s mind—and what we eat plays a bigger role than many realize. When it comes to seafood, choosing local fish isn’t just about freshness or flavor. It’s an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint, support healthy oceans, and fight climate change.

Here’s why eating local fish is true climate action—and how your seafood choices can make a difference.

🚢 Food Miles Matter

Most seafood on supermarket shelves travels thousands of miles, often frozen and trucked or flown across continents before reaching your plate. This transport—called “food miles”—adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

By contrast, local fish travels far less distance, often landing on your table within hours or a day after being caught. That means fewer emissions, less packaging, and a smaller environmental impact.

🎣 Small-Boat Fisheries Are Low Impact

Local fish from small-scale fishermen often come from gear and practices designed to minimize damage:

Hook and line, traps, spears, and harpoons are selective, cause little habitat disruption, and reduce bycatch.
Small boats use less fuel compared to industrial trawlers and factory ships.
Local fishermen prioritize quality over quantity, helping maintain fish populations.

Supporting these fisheries means backing methods that protect ocean ecosystems and reduce climate harms.

🌊 Healthy Oceans Store Carbon

Oceans are one of the planet’s largest carbon sinks. When fisheries support healthy, balanced marine ecosystems—like kelp forests and seagrass beds—they help capture and store carbon dioxide.

Eating local fish caught sustainably helps protect these habitats, contributing to the ocean’s role in fighting climate change.

🌱 Supporting Local Economies Means Resilience

Climate change also impacts fishing communities directly. When you buy local, you’re supporting small businesses and families adapting to environmental changes. This builds social resilience, ensuring communities can thrive even as oceans shift.

🐟 How to Make Climate-Friendly Seafood Choices

Choose fish caught locally, minimizing food miles.
Ask about gear types—prefer hook and line, traps, and other low-impact methods.
Eat seasonal species to avoid overfishing and promote ecological balance.
Consider “underutilized” local species that help reduce pressure on popular fish.
Support Community Supported Fisheries (CSFs) and local markets.

Final Thought

Eating local fish is a powerful way to take climate action every time you sit down to eat. It’s about more than just your plate—it’s about protecting oceans, supporting communities, and building a food system that respects the planet.

So next time you’re choosing seafood, remember: buying local means fighting climate change, one fish at a time.