Community
Print
Global searches for ‘vegan seafood’ have skyrocketed – as anti-fishing documentary Seaspiracy hits number one on UK Netflix.
The film, produced by Cowspiracy’s Kip Andersen, sheds light on the ‘war being waged’ on the world’s oceans – delving into the fishing industry’s environmental impacts on marine life.
“This film will radically transform the way we think and act on ocean conservation forever,” the Seaspiracy team said.
“It’s time we focus our ecological and ethical concerns on our seas and its inhabitants. This is a new era for how we treat the most important habitat on earth.”
Since its debut, Seaspiracy has garnered global media attention and seems to be changing people’s perception of seafood.
Leading publication Vogue – who has long promoted fish as a ‘sustainable’ ingredient – declared the film ‘will change your thoughts on seafood forever’.
Similarly, UK news giant Metro published a list of vegan alternatives to seafood in an article headlined: “Did Seaspiracy put you off fish?”
Searches for vegan seafood
According to Google Trends, worldwide searches for the term ‘vegan seafood’ have soared over the last 12 months – with a significant increase in the past week. This coincides with the Netflix launch of Seaspiracy.
The United States has shown the most interest in vegan seafood – with a 100 percent increase over the last year. Australia follows second with an 83 percent surge – and the UK with a 45 percent increase.
‘Plant-based seafood’
Searches for ‘plant-based seafood’ have also soared in the last 12 months: by 100 percent in Singapore, 65 percent in the US, 42 percent in Australia and Canada, and 41 percent in the UK.
Seaspiracy‘s success may be attributed to the flurry of support it has received from a slew of celebrities.
Rock legend Bryan Adams urged his 655,600 Twitter followers to ‘watch Seaspiracy on Netflix’ and ‘stop killing fish’ – while Batwoman star Ruby Rose plugged the documentary to her 16.1 million Instagram followers.
“The fish are disappearing because we’re killing them. It’s that simple.”
Lucy Watson, Reality TV star
Former Made in Chelsea star Lucy Watson also penned a series of tweets about Seaspiracy – describing it as ‘incredibly eye-opening’.
“Regardless of being vegan or not… It’s a concern for everyone that the oceans are protected,” she wrote.
“In order for them to thrive, serious changes need to be made. Eating fish is not and cannot be sustainable.
“Every time you eat fish you’re likely killing many other sea creatures such as dolphins, turtles, and whales. It’s a harsh reality and we as consumers can make a difference.
“I’ve said this before, but even when you go snorkeling – you can see how much of a difference there is. The fish are disappearing because we’re killing them. It’s that simple.”
Vegan seafood brand
Vegan seafood brand Atlantic Natural Foods says Seaspiracy is a ‘timely reminder’ of the ‘impact that our day to day lives and mindless consumption of animal protein can have on our oceans and human life’.
Moreover, Douglas Hines is the company’s chairman. In a statement sent to PBN, he said: “Our growing population and growing demand for protein-rich food sources, is only going to swell the burgeoning strain that our oceans are under.
“As humans, we have caused this. And, it is now our responsibility to do what we can to help reverse our harmful impacts.
“Yes – this needs to be driven by world governments, who have a responsibility to drive forward international industry-wide reform and guidance to manage and protect our oceans resources, address climate impacts, stop polluting our oceans with plastic and eliminate widespread abuse of human lives.
“But at an industry and at an individual level there is so much we can do ourselves… Which, collectively would be an enormous step forward to protect the future of our oceans.
“Making conscious choices to switch out our protein sources from animal to plant-based could help save thousands of fish a year. As a food manufacturer and retailer, it’s our responsibility to empower consumers to make this choice. We provide a range of sustainable, nutritional, versatile, and tasty plant-based protein products.”
