The earliest fossil evidence of fish being eaten is from Kenya 1.8 million years ago. The fossil remains of fish, turtles, and an alligator foot (with cuts in it) was discovered. The Omega-3-rich diet likely fueled the growth of our ancestors larger brains paving the way to who we are today.
Nothing connects us to our hunter gatherer past than fishing. When we fish, we become who we were—a Stone Age spear carrying ancestor trudging along a riverbed in search of his next finned meal hiding out among the aquatic vegetation.
Nothing brings the mind to focus than the preparation of the fishing tackle leading up to the first cast. Fishing itself is all consuming, too. Rarely has a fish been caught by accident because fishing requires knowledge, skill, focus, and intention.
Almost half of the population of the world depend on seafood today but the world’s seafood consumption is no longer sustainable. In Africa, where it all began, fish will one day have to be imported, raising prices and making seafood less accessible to the poor.
Moving forward, when I eat fish, I’m mostly eating the ones that are abundant and not often eaten, like little sunfish. I’m gonna catch most of the ones I eat myself. Because good food isn’t easy or convenient. Good food takes time, effort, and commitment. And, finally, good food is like eating a sunfish. Because of all of it’s bones, sunfish must be eaten carefully, which allows us to appreciate it even more—unlike the food we thoughtlessly devour gotten easily from the drive-ins and the delivery services at our fingertips.
It’s vitally important that we teach ourselves how to fish again—but, just as importantly, in a way that doesn’t deprive our neighbors of their next meal.