What is Aquatic Bushmeat, and Why are People Eating It?

The world’s population is booming exponentially, and our food supply is not meeting the demand in the way in which we need it to do so. As this happens, more and more people are turning to what is being referred to as aquatic bushmeat.

Bushmeat is traditionally known as meat which is derived from animals living in the wild (eg. antelopes, lions, gorillas, etc.). Aquatic bushmeat is the consumption of wild sea animals such as dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles.

The consumption of aquatic bushmeat is being seen most commonly in poor communities when animals wash up on the shore. This meat can cause people to become ill or, in more extreme circumstances, cost them their lives. While the meat still may be fresh when harvested and consumed, it is not always known what the animals died from. If from disease or poisoning, they could pose a great health risk to consumers. In some countries, police stand guard in front of these animals until the carcasses are disposed of in order to ensure people do not try to harvest their meat for consumption.

One of the core reasons for the increased consumption of aquatic bushmeat other than our growing global population is that of the impacts unsustainable fishing practices have had on our oceans. The problem has been seen most dramatically in West African…