Here's an interesting way to combat environmental and human rights impacts: don't annoy the consumers (who have no idea about the conditions in which something they buy are produced); merely inform them. On December 19, 2003 UK-based environmental group Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) released the Consumer Guide to Prawns, which lays bare the abuses of the industrial farming of prawns and shrimps. The idea is to make the consumers ask: by purchasing prawns/shrimps, do they promote the abuses?
Consumer Guide to Prawns Environmental Justice Foundation
Here's an interesting way to combat environmental and human rights impacts: don't annoy the consumer (who has no idea about the conditions in which something s/he buy are produced); merely inform her/him. On December 19, 2003 uk-based environmental group Environmental Justice Foundation (ejf) released the Consumer Guide to Prawns, which lays bare the abuses of the industrial farming of prawns/shrimps. The idea is to make the consumer ask: by purchasing prawns/shrimps, does s/he promote the abuses?
tv celebrity chef Ken Hom is also part of the effort; he has recorded a two-minute video in which he highlights why consumers should think twice before buying prawns/shrimps. "People have been murdered in 11 countries in conflict linked to prawn farming. The environment has been degraded and human rights have been abused to bring us this luxury food product," he says. Prawn fisheries alone are responsible for one-third of the world's discarded catch, despite producing just 2 per cent of global sea food. "150,000 marine turtles are killed by prawn trawlers every year," Hom says. Adds Steve Trent, ejf's director: "With sales of us $50-60 billion, prawn farming is big business, but the true cost is paid by the poor and vulnerable in developing world countries where prawns are farmed." Prawn trawling also depletes fish stocks and destroys marine environments.
The guide is available free at the organisation's website (http://www. ejfoundation.org/shrimp). Celebrity messages supporting the campaign, and extensive background research, can also be viewed.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.