Finite media: environmental implications of digital technologies

on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland have suffered population collapse. The collapse of the Grand Banks led to the loss of 50,000 jobs. Men, it is argued, became feminised as they had to take up employment opportunities that traditionally had been regarded as women’s work. The same happened with the collapse of the coal industry in the UK. This is a really good chapter that offers real insight into the role of women in fishing. Chapter 5 has its focus on little fish namely the anchovy, sardine and the menhaden. Probyn points out that they are oily and rich in Omega 3. Some 25% of these little fish are processed to make oil, pig and poultry feed and food for fish. The International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Association classes little fish as ‘industrial grade forage fish’. Probyn also discusses fish farms. Modern fish farms – that supply more than half of all seafood produced for human consumption, and whose environmental reputation Probyn is at pains to rehabilitate – are in fact a much better way of feeding humanity, especially if Integrated Marine Trophic Aquaculture systems are widely adapted. These systems incorporate species from different trophic or nutritional levels. Essentially the waste from one species become inputs (fertilizers food and energy) for another species. To give the system balance, organic wastes are extracted by filter feeders (shell-fish) and seaweed extracts inorganic wastes. Detrivores (bottom feeders) such as sea cucumbers extract other wastes. This chapter has a sense of optimism. Probyn describes the conservationist Patricia Majluf ’s successful campaign to persuade her fellow Peruvians to start eating Peru’s plentiful catch of anchovies – most is sent for processing. Majluf ’s campaign was especially effective among the poor. Instead of going off to Chinese processing plants to feed bigger fish, the anchovies were eaten at home, with domestic consumption rising from 10,000 tons in 2006 to 190,000 tons in 2010. Probyn concludes her book with some reflection whilst in the Sydney Fish Market. A smelly place, she says, but bustling with people from many parts of the world. Probyn concludes that it is our relationship or entanglement with the oceans that we need to consider. She argues that some species, like the little fish, should be eaten as opposed to being processed for other uses such as animal feed. Millions of people work with the sea. ‘Try to eat the ocean better,’ and ‘Try to eat with the ocean.’ Sage advice. In other words, not so much use of fish for cattle feed. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is well-argued and Probyn bases her judgement on sound research. I hope a philanthropist, one with a love of the sea, buys lots of copies of the book and sends them to all politicians who have a role in marine and fishing policy, to the many bodies that represent the fishing industries across the globe, the fishing companies, and to as many individual fishing boats as possible.