cat-greatest threat to our oceans

[Kathleen]

This has NOTHING to do with recalled food, but nevertheless I found it facinating.   Recently, here in Toronto, ZOOCHECK had a night featuring  CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON ,Founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and at one time closely associated with GREENPEACE. He addressed the concerns that the world felt as our oceans become endangered. One of his comments I found interesting was:

    "the greatest danger to the oceans to-day is the domestic cat"

He went on to assure everyone that he had nothing against cats ,in fact, he had a houseful, but  the domestic cat was the greatest consumer of fish in the world. He did not elaborate ,it was simply a comment he made as he presented his material.  AMAZING! Who would have thought ?

                         Kathleen

[Davis]

Yes, but it's not the domestic cat who is responsible for that, but the pet food companies. Cats don't need all that fish. It's the pet food companies who have decided to put so much fish in the food.  I don't think any domestic cats are at the ocean catching and eating all the fish. He's misrepresenting the facts. Interesting post. Thanks for the warning about how he thinks.

[Cindy Nevarez]

uh...I think mackeral is a fresh water fish..................correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway...not all cats like tuna or salmon. Mine don't like it that much.

[Laura]

  Mackeral are Ocean fish-  King Mackeral and Spanish Mackeral can carry high levels of mercury...Atlantic Mackeral and Pacific Mackeral are lower in metals- I know in the case of the Pacific species, they are smaller and lower on the food chain, so don't pick up as much metal as bigger fish like Tuna and King M...or at least, so I've been reading- as fast as info changes, though....<sigh>, it's hard to keep up with. 
  I've only checked out fish a bit as I do feed my dogs a fair amount it, and want to at least try my hardest to buy what's best for them...besides, they LOVE fish!  Fish and Rabbit would make up their favorite meat sources, I think..<blech>

[Cindy Nevarez]

Thanks for the update on that.

The Mackeral that Evangers uses is that smaller one, as they are barely bigger than sardines, and can fit many into cans.

[Laura]

   That's really good to know- I just bought (but haven't opened yet) a can of the Mackeral with Gravy for my dogs....I admit, I'm a little scared to open it- the idea of fish gravy grosses me out!   BUT- if I can handle the real canned mackeral, I guess I can probably deal with the Evanger's...I just need to work up the courage!  I can tell you, if I want to feed my dogs tripe again, it'll be the freeze-dried version...I don't have a weak stomach, but the can of Tripett was almost more than I could take!!!  Of course, the dogs loved it....

[Kathleen]

I have to warn you--if you open that can of Mackeral your whole house will reek for hours. I had to soak the  cat's dish in JAVEX just to get rid of the smell. The first time I opened a can the cats went mad for it. The next time they would not eat it at all. I ended up throwing it in the garbage at the end of the day. However, all was not lost . All the racoons hit my garbage can that night. They brought their aunts, uncles cousins etc.
                                               Kathleen

[Laura]

   LOLOL-- Thanks for the warning!  When I opened the Tripett, I did it out on the front porch, and dumped it straight into a tupperware container-  guess I'll do the same with the Mackeral...eww.  And I just KNOW these furballs will think it's awesome!
 
 

[Cindy Nevarez]

Make sure you use a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel dish, as none of these will hold on to any odors, and will wash completely clean ( the SS dish will rinse clean with just hot water).

[Laura]

   Ooh- glass is a great thought- I think I've got a wide-mouth mason jar in the cupboard...  Maybe we'll try it this week.     Thanks for all the advice- I already appreciate it, and I haven't even opened the can yet!  LOL

[garypen]

The greatest danger to the marine life population of the world's oceans today is...surprise...CHINA!!!! (Cat food? That guy is on drugs.)

China is so seriously over fishing the oceans to satisfy their country's new found love of sushi, seafood, and especially the more expensive delicacies, as well as what they export to other countries, that there is serious concern that the oceans will run out of sea food, as unbelievable as that may be to imagine.

The Japanese, big seafood consumers themselves, have been following this situation closely. (Although, they have had their own issues with over-fishing, as well as whaling and that annual dolphin massacre.)

[Cindy Nevarez]

Yeah, I agree with you about "that guy."

It makes more sense that people are overfishing for themselves. Anyway, I had heard that before about other countries doing it, but this is news about China's part in it. It figures.

[cw]

Not surprising.  The thing is, you've got to know who Paul Watson is.  He is famous for making inflammatory statements, but his is a noble cause.  And he's tireless.  His tactics are questionable, but he has devoted his entire life to protecting sea mammals, and has many successes to his credit.

Reading his Wiki doesn't even come close to conveying what a 'character' he is. My favorite quote is his response to a Canadian Navy spokesperson who asked (in a public format, either TV or print... can't recall), "what does Watson know about running a submarine?" (in reference to his recent acquisition of one). Watson's response was, "since World War II, the Sea Shepherd Society has sunk more ships, boarded more ships, rammed more ships, and blockaded more harbours than the Canadian Navy, so they’re not in any position to judge what we can or cannot do with a submarine.”

[Kathleen]

  CW--love that quote!!!!
I was impressed with Paul Watson. Not for a moment do I doubt his sincerity.  Had he more time to elaborate, I am sure it would have been the pet food manufacturers that he would have blamed---not our cats.
                                 Kathleen