If you're interested in eating out in a way that doesn't adversely and indirectly affect the health of the reefs, here are a few pointers: choose blue-water fish such as wahoo, tuna or dorado (mahi mahi; dolphin fish). Try to stay away from reef fish such as groupers and snappers. Lobsters and conch are also a no-no. Believe it or not, large reef fish, lobsters, and conch are severely overfished in Bonaire. If the lobsters and conch are brought in from other islands that are responsibly managing their stocks, then it's probably alright, but how will you know for sure? My name's Caren Eckrich and I'm a marine biologist living in Bonaire - I run Sea & Discover, Bonaire's Marine Education Center.

Great info Caren and keep up the good work. Here's a great link on sustainable seafood.

Thanks for the info Caren. this message needs to repeated often as we tend to forget when we reach Bonaire.

Caren thanks for the info. Whenever we are visiting Bonaire it seems the fish of the day is either wahoo or dorado. So it is good to know the locals are also keeping up with the reef health.
Cecil, thanks for the link.

Caren, I somehow missed welcoming you to Bonaire Talk a year ago yesterday. Sorry - WELCOME!!

Many of us know who you are and the good work you do. I am glad to see you posting, do it more often please:-{)} If you get a chance, would you please include Sea and Discover along side your name in your profile. My fellow moderators and I feel it benefits everyone when Bonaire People that run businesses or programs do this. Thanks again Caren!

On a related note, WOO-HOO!! I feel much better knowing I can continue eating my favorite - TUNA! Now if we could convince the fisherpeople not to use it as bait;-{)}

Cecil, thanks for the link buddy. I just saved it as a favorite.

Yeah, and stop the japanese from using whale meat as dog food.

Caren, I am thrilled you posted today. It troubles me when I see Grouper and Marlin on menus..it's rare to see Snapper.

Caren, Isn't shrimp also a problem? if it is caught in a net, sea turtles can get trapped; if it is farm-raised, it can destroy mangroves etc. I just saw a great exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium called Wild Reef that detailed the effects of shrimp farming on mangroves, the reef, indigenous communities, etc. perhaps we should just eat chocolate, bread, and single malt scotch! ha

Ann,

When we ate at Salsa last week one of the items on the menu was a salt-crusted whole yellowtail snapper for two. I don't personally eat fish (don't play with my food!) but saw it being presented at several tables, so it was quite popular.
Gini

Shrimp caught in the wild is a huge problem with enormous percentages of bycatch. Farm-raised shrimp isn't always a problem, but yes, it can be. Look at Seahatch here in Bonaire - it's quite environmentally-friendly. It's hard to know what to eat these days!!!
As for the snapper, I think people just don't realize what a problem overfishing really is on coral reefs (not just on coral reefs). If you don't have anything to compare it to (like you were here diving 40 years ago), then the reef looks healthy.