App-etite: Track seafood tableside

Baton Rouge is big on Gulf Coast-caught seafood, but what about when you crave something a little more exotic? Environmentalists say you should think twice before you order that swordfish, as the fishing practices used to catch these giants can be devastating to the environment. However, they’re not the only fish in the sea, and keeping up with which fish are safe and which are harmful can be a headache. A free iPhone and iPod Touch app from the Monterey Bay Aquarium called Seafood Watch can help consumers make more informed choices right at the table. Seafood Watch stays updated with the latest news and info about fishing practices, and splits seafood into categories from super-green (seafood that’s farmed in extremely sustainable ways) to avoid (seafood that’s fished in a way that’s environmentally unsafe). The app even lets you choose your region, so you can tell which seafood is best for the Gulf area, and includes a sushi guide that lists Japanese and English names for all the seafood ingredients. This is one app the informed eater shouldn’t be without. Haven’t got an iPhone? You can still keep up with the latest on sustainable fishing at the Seafood Watch Web site by clicking here.