Humpback blackdevil, a real sea monster in miniature

The name sounds bad and a picture of this fish looks even worse (right). Yikes. This is a sea monster I hope to never see underwater.

Except...wait...it's only a couple of inches long, whew.

But imagine having to meet this thing on it's own terms as a prey species. Look at those teeth.

How does this real sea monster make a living?

The ‘humpback blackdevil’ anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsoni), dangles a bioluminescent light from its forehead in order to lure prey within gulping range. Because this method of feeding is so effective, this fish has little need of swimming muscles and hence the tiny body in relation to its ferocious-looking head.

Of course, don't forget the most interesting thing about anglerfish, the "parasitic male" mating strategy.

The scary fish above is a female, and if you look carefully you might find the parasitic male looking like a small bump or appendange on the body of the female.

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Frozen fish help cool the planet

When it comes to fish, frozen is better. At least if you're concerned about climate change impacts, you should buy frozen. According to expert Peter Tyedmers: "In many cases, your better choice overall, from an environment or energy–related perspective, might be frozen product from afar, regardless of the distance."

I know this goes against the common belief that fresh seafood is better. It's time to stretch your mind a bit.

Fresh seafood is wonderful, especially when you're privileged to eat something that just came out of the water. But "fresh" fish shipped by air and delivered to you days later is not the same thing. The rot sets in as soon as the animal dies, and good chilling only slows down (doesn't prevent) the decline. Good handling and fast transport helps forestall the rot, but at what cost? AT THE COST OF WARMING THE PLANET.

Take one example. Copper River salmon shipped by air all over the US is an environmental abomination. Other salmon is just as good, and shipped frozen by barge it's better for the planet.

Smart seafood people know that properly handled and quick-frozen fish is actually better than so-called "fresh" fish that has sat on ice for several days.

Will we re-investigate frozen fish now that there's a new reason to be pro-frozen? I don't know, the "fresh" dogma is fairly entrenched. But we should.

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TV show spurs sustainable seafood sales

I was in London last week, and I got to watch "Hugh's Fish Fight" on TV.

It's a series of 3 shows that critique bad fishing, attack the root causes in bad management, and suggest that consumers join the campaign against bad fishing by eating more sustainbly. Good stuff, and engaging TV.

Well...who knew that Fish Fight would spur sales of more sustainable fish in Britain? This is good, effective advocacy TV. Go Hugh!

The issues he raises are important, the presentation was good, and it wasn't dumbed-down for TV. I'm impressed. Of course, it is British TV and not American TV. BTW, Swiss TV is good too, take note of A Bon Entendeur in french on TSR, and in particular their recent show on sustainable sushi with a fantastic special guest.

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Daddy, what was the Aral Sea?

Powerful film from Romain A, great visuals, great music. Sit down for a spell and experience the "Aral Sea."

ARAL SEA from Romain A on Vimeo.

Hat tip: Deep Blue Home

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Don't band your penguin

It's not a nice thing to put bands on the flippers of penguins. It looks bad and totally clashes with the whole "black and white" thing most penguins have going.

Oh, and besides, it makes it harder to swim and have babies and all that. At least according to some scientists. But the controversy rages on since not everyone agrees.

Since alternatives exist, why not switch to subcutaneous electronic tags. They're probably safer and much less of an eyesore.

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