Shellfish (Oysters, Clams, Mussels...) = most environmentally friendly, most ethical, and healthiest source of meat? (shrimp, butter)

[Phil P]

What do you think about this?

I've been reading about shellfish lately and it occurred to me that they are probably the most environmentally friendly source of meat. When farmed, they actually clean up the surrounding water and don't require other oils or fish meat for food, don't require any antibiotics or chemical intervention, leave little to no waste, and don't really affect the surrounding habitat.

Because of this, they should be the cheapest source of meat, if all other meats and feed for other meats were unsubsidized.

About being the most ethical source of meat, shellfish don't have brains, so you don't cause any pain by killing them.

Also, shellfish meat is high in vitamins and nutrients and low in LDC and saturated fats, while providing a good source of protein.

[rainroosty]

Thanks, Phil. That's a brilliant point you have made!

[OpenD]

One caveat... all the bivalves are filter feeders, therefore they are the most easily contaminated if pollutants are in the water.

The following article makes the case that oysters are ethical to eat because they have no nervous system, and are farmed much like plants are...

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/f...he_oyster.html

[nmnita]

good information I guess, but I don't think many fish really have enough brains of nervous systems to suffer too much when farmed. Now, if we could get the price down to a reasonably amount. I do buy shrimp quite often because, though it isn't cheap, it is so rich a little goes a long way and muscles are not expensive as all. The problem, spoiled brat isn't crazy over them.

[Phil P]

Originally Posted by OpenD

One caveat... all the bivalves are filter feeders, therefore they are the most easily contaminated if pollutants are in the water.

The following article makes the case that oysters are ethical to eat because they have no nervous system, and are farmed much like plants are...

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/f...he_oyster.html

True, but most farmed bivalves are raised in unpolluted waters because of this.

Actually, I think they use bivalves to clean up contaminated waters. But they don't eat those ones

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by Phil P

...the most ethical source of meat...

I clam-up whenever that "e-word" is used in the same sentence as meat .

[70Ford]

We're omnivores for a reason. That reason is ... steak tastes awesome.

A1 STEAKSAUCE "CONVERTING" COMMERCIAL - YouTube
Oysters/shellfish rock.

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by 70Ford

We're omnivores for a reason.

I'm with you on that one, trust me.
I'm not implying I'm a vegetarian - quite the opposite.

[Hunter Wold]

Shuck me, shuck me--eat me raw..
HW

love my oysters and clams on the half shell...

[DontH8Me]

Let's not leave out delicious buttery scallops....