MBA Wallah

Batch : PIONEER (CAT)

Subject : Editorial
Topic : Editorial–05

Direction (1–5) : Read the following passage and answer Like me, many have ‘upgraded’ to consuming more meat
the questions that follow: than previous generations did. By factory farming livestock,
we are now able to produce meat at unbelievably low costs.
(Source: Aeon Essays; Dated: 19/06/2023) We also have more money to spend than we ever did. Data
show a strong positive correlation between a country’s GDP
Having lived nowhere other than the western coast of India per capita and the amount of meat the average citizen
for the first 21 years of my life, seafood was an consumes in a year. Collectively, we eat three times the
indispensable part of my diet growing up. When the family meat we did just 50 years ago. In rapidly industrialising
business was prospering, we’d feast on plump pomfrets and countries like China and Brazil, meat consumption has
juicy tiger prawns. When it wasn’t, there’d be smaller, doubled in a span of two to three decades. Meanwhile,
bonier fish like anchovies and sardines. Or the less popular developed countries continue to consume meat in even more
bycatch at least. If nothing else, my mum would bring out copious amounts than they did before. For many, eating
wares she’d stashed away for the greyer days; a jar of spicy more meat means improved food security and nutritional
pickled shrimp or salted, sundried mackerel perhaps. But status. But it also pushes against our planet’s boundaries
fruits of the Arabian Sea always featured prominently in like few other anthropogenic activities do. With cow
most meals. In fact, the act of procuring seafood was almost flatulence enveloping Earth in temperature-raising gases
as delightful as consuming it. My Saturday mornings were and the Amazon losing its cover to cattle feed, the current
often spent at the fish market with my mum, watching her ways of producing and consuming meat have been
negotiate with Hira – our family’s favourite fishmonger. ‘I pronounced detrimental to the planet’s health. In fact, it
saved these for you, I know your kids enjoy them,’ I isn’t particularly good for human health, either. Consuming
remember Hira saying, trying to sell us her most formidable meat excessively, especially the red and processed kinds,
pair of mud crabs. She wasn’t wrong, I do love a good mud exposes us to higher risks for various lifestyle-related
crab curry. diseases.
These days, my Saturday mornings are spent We are currently at a point in time where the evidence
shopping for the week’s groceries at the supermarket in my against the ills of factory-farmed meat are simply too jarring
neighbourhood in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Every to ignore. Results from scientific studies are clear – we
week, I spend several minutes eyeing squeaky-clean salmon cannot keep eating this way without inducing a climate
steaks and delicate basa fillets packed in the most sterile- apocalypse. There’s a strong push to find new ways to feed
looking plastic boxes I’ve ever seen. The stickers on the box billions of protein-hungry mouths without destroying the
tell me so much about the fish – freshness, origin, planet. With the area of arable land available to us
environmental impact, recyclability of the packaging. Yet I remaining limited, scientists have urged policymakers and
long to run my fingers through its non-existent scales and decision-takers to turn their attention towards ‘blue foods’
inspect its long-discarded gills for tactile cues about quality. – animals, plants and algae harvested from natural and
Without the sights, sounds and serendipitous communal life artificial aquatic environments.
of a coastal fish market, buying seafood has lost its allure The logic of blue foods, particularly aquatic animals, being
for me. I guiltily move to the meat section to check for other less burdensome to the environment is fairly simple. Being
protein options for the week. cold blooded, they do not use energy gained from their feed
 MBA Wallah

to keep their bodies warm. This means more meat per unit Up until the 1970s, wild-capture fisheries provided the
of feed compared with warm-blooded terrestrial livestock. world with almost the entirety of its blue food supply. It was
Although incomparable with the rise of meat consumption, in the 1980s, when wild-fish harvesting plateaued, that the
global interest in blue foods has been inching upward as world started thinking of other ways to procure aquatic
well. In 2018, the average person consumed 15.1 kgs of blue foods. Overfishing led to the severe depletion of fish stocks
foods per year, compared with the 11.5 kg per person per and, consequently, serious disruptions in marine
year figure of 1998. The distinction between ‘seafood’ and ecosystems. Largescale commercial aquaculture was born
‘blue food’ is critical here because close to half of the of the necessity to continue providing dietary staples to
aquatic plants and animals we consume today do not come seafood-dependent communities around the world, without
from the sea at all. They are farmed under controlled, semi- endangering marine ecosystems. By making use of the
natural conditions in tanks, ponds, raceways and enclosed rapidly advancing technology in this sector, we were able to
sections of the ocean. Even consumers from traditionally master the art of farming aquatic life efficiently within a
seafaring parts of the world have begun to prefer farmed relatively short span of time. In fact, we got so good at it
aquatic foods over those from a nearby sea. This would that, by 2014, produce from aquaculture had bested wild-
explain the popularity of salmon and basa – neither caught seafood as a source of food.
harvested from the North Sea – in my neighbourhood’s Like industrialised livestock rearing, aquaculture has
supermarket. After all, there are few things the Dutch like become popular for the several commercial benefits it
better than economical supermarket offerings and the offers. Selecting only the most robust species, eliminating
convenience of semi-prepared foods. risks from predators, and engineering the perfect
But aquaculture is unlikely to ever completely replace wild- environmental conditions allows aquaculturists to produce
capture fisheries in the foreseeable future. Next to providing high-quality blue foods at a lower cost than deep-sea
protein and micronutrient-rich sustenance, fisheries are a fishing. More control over the production process and
source of livelihood for millions across the globe. The clearer rights over the harvested produce also ensure higher
United Nations estimates that around 120 million people are profits and fewer geopolitical disputes. The success of
directly and indirectly engaged in wild-capture fisheries, aquaculture has not only flooded traditionally seafood-
compared with the 15 million in aquaculture. This is consuming markets with a year-round supply of affordable
unsurprising considering that the act of procuring food from aquatic foods but also created new markets in regions where
the sea is as old as humanity itself. However, what was once these foods weren’t always popular. Next to finfish such as
a cornucopia of diverse and delicious foods is increasingly carp, catfish, salmon, tilapia, trout and tuna, other aquatic
reluctant to share its bounty with us. Fishes that were once flora and fauna are farmed as well. Specialised systems
captured with ease are becoming elusive, endangered and, cultivating molluscs such as oysters, clams, mussels and
in some cases, even extinct. This scarcity pushes fishers to abalone, and various species of shrimp, are proliferating.
go looking farther into the sea and come into conflict with There is also a growing interest in farming crabs, lobsters
others doing the same. The conservation zoologist Tim and other invertebrate animals, like sea urchins and sea
McClanahan and colleagues mention the UK-Iceland Cod cucumbers. Although a minority, some aquatic farms focus
Wars of the 1950s and ’70s, the Yellow Croaker dispute on marine plants and algae such as water chestnut and
between China and Japan in the 1920s and ’30s, and the seaweed.
Canada-Spain Turbot War of 1995 as examples of such One would think that with the grand success of blue food
conflicts. They explain that these clashes over marine production from aquaculture, wild-caught seafood will
resources have the potential to ‘lead to wider instability, eventually become a thing of the past; like hunting wild
particularly where food insecurity is high, people are animals for sustenance has in most parts of the world. This,
vulnerable, and governance is weak or autocratic.’ however, is far from the truth. Like their counterparts from
the natural environment, farmed aquatic creatures thrive
 MBA Wallah

only when their diet is rich in all essential nutrients. Often social impact of producing food this way has remained
omnivorous, these animals subsist on plants and smaller largely unaddressed.
animals from their natural ecosystems. Prospering In Asia and beyond, precariously employed persons
aquaculture farms around the world are supported by wild- belonging to marginalised communities make up a large
capture fisheries that harvest forage-fish species, such as share of aquaculture workers. This includes women,
anchovies, herring, mackerel and sardines, and turn them children, Indigenous people and migrant workers.
into fishmeal and fish oil. Accounting for a third of all wild- Borrowing from the worst practices of the wild-fisheries
capture landings, a sizeable portion of these fish are caught industry, aquaculture workers are routinely coerced into
in the waters of developing countries, where they are an debt bondage, discriminated against, denied rights of
important source of sustenance for local populations. Final association, and employed in facilities that lack adequate
aquaculture products, especially the premium varieties, are occupational safety and health standards. Reporting, and
often exported to wealthier countries. This, in sum, results therefore statistics, on injuries and diseases among workers
in the removal of proteins and micronutrients from many is a rarity in the sector but, from whatever little is available
food-insecure regions. through journalistic and investigative records, we know that
Thankfully, most aquatic creatures aren’t picky eaters. This musculoskeletal disorders, skin infections and respiratory
means that, with some ingenuity, it is possible to reduce diseases are rampant.
their dependence on fish meal and oil. Like other omnivores
such as pigs and chickens, many fish species can be raised 1. Based on the passage, which of the following best
on leftovers from the human food chain. Nutrient-rich describes the tone of the author?
marine microalgae and insects are great options, too. (a) Objective and Analytical
Sustainably grown terrestrial plants like soybean, (b) Biased and Argumentative
engineered to reduce antinutritional components, can also (c) Introspective and Humanistic
successfully replace at least a part of fish meal and oil in (d) Patronising and provocative.
aquafeeds. Innovation in aquafeed could potentially
decouple aquaculture from wild fisheries and provide 2. All of the following arguments are made in the
pathways to expand blue-food farming in a sustainable way. passage Except:
So, on the feed front at least, the sustainability problems of (a) Due to their fondness for spending weekends
aquaculture are less complex and more solvable than those on the sea shore and indulging in a diverse array
of livestock. However, there’s another aspect of the industry of sea foods, the author has developed a deep
that is much harder to fix: its chronic dependence on appreciation for the unique flavours and
exploitative labour practices. qualities that wild-caught seafood offers.
With close to 92 per cent of the total production coming (b) Despite advancements in aquaculture, it is
from Asia, the prosperity aquaculture has brought to the unlikely that it will be able to fully replace
continent is often used as a metric to measure its economic wild-capture fisheries in the near future due to
potential. But if one were to investigate how Asian various factors such as technological
aquaculturists are able to sell at low prices while making limitations and the complex ecological
substantial profits, poor working conditions would be a part dynamics of marine ecosystems.
of the answer. Of course, technology and knowledge make (c) Blue foods, especially aquatic animals, are
the system effective too, but it is on the backs of underpaid considered less burdensome to the environment
and overworked primary production workers that the due to their lower environmental impact, which
industry has scaled the heights of commercial success. has led to increased interest in their production
Pioneers of the blue revolution have been so busy and consumption as a sustainable food source.
overcoming technical and biological challenges that the
 MBA Wallah

(d) A significant proportion of these wild-capture 4. The author of this passage is LEAST likely to
fisheries are obtained from the waters of support the view that:
developing countries, highlighting the potential (a) The maximum production of aquaculture is
socioeconomic implications and dependence from Asia, due to poor working conditions of
on these resources for livelihoods and workers involved in this region.
economic development in these regions. (b) The crisis of marine resources have many a
times led countries getting involved in conflicts
3. Based on the passage, it can be inferred that: with each other.
(a) The cost of production of meat from (c) Buying seafood from supermarkets has turned
aquaculture is higher than that from wild- out to be a boring process.
capture fisheries, which poses challenges for (d) People should increase their consumption of
widespread adoption and affordability of meat, as it is good for their health, both
aquaculture products. physically and mentally.
(b) There is a correlation between a country’s GDP
per capita and the amount of meat the average 5. Which one of the following sets of words and
citizen consumes in a year, suggesting that phrases serves best as keywords of the passage?
economic factors play a role in meat (a) Saturday mornings, shopping, seafood, protein,
consumption patterns. good health
(c) The average consumption of meat has (b) Consuming meat, aquatic animals, aquaculture,
decreased over the period of time, which has commercial benefits, blue food
concerned the governments for potential (c) Livestock rearing, consuming meat, conflicts,
livelihood loss of the producers and the need prosperity, social impact
for alternative sources of income. (d) Aquaculture, aquafeed, conflicts, technology,
(d) The growth of aquaculture has increased the migrant workers
potential of conflicts among nations, as
competition for limited resources such as water
bodies and market shares intensifies, requiring
effective governance and cooperation
mechanisms to manage these tensions.
 MBA Wallah

Answer Key
1. (c)
2. (a)
3. (b)
4. (d)
5. (c)
 MBA Wallah

Hints & Solutions

1. (c) Option c is again contrary to the passage as it is
Option a may seem to be the tone of the author, but mentioned that average meat consumption has
the author doesn’t seem to be analysing the current increased over time. From (Para-3), “many have
scenario around Blue food. Instead, it is more of a ‘upgraded’ to consuming more meat than previous
humanly approach towards the burden of increased generations did”.
meat consumption on the planet. Hence a cannot be Option d does not finds inference from the passage,
the answer. instead it is mentioned that the practice of wild-
Neither the tone of author is of a bias nor an capture fisheries has caused conflicts among
argument, in favour or against the aquatic food, nations, as “This scarcity pushes fishermen to go
hence b is rejected. looking farther into the sea and come into conflict
Option c correctly reflects the tone of the author, as with others doing the same”. Thus, it cannot be the
supported by Para 3, from “many have ‘upgraded’ answer.
to consuming more meat than previous generations
did” and further discussion on the effects of this on 4. (d)
the planet earth, in the following paras. Options a finds inference from the passage(Para-
Option d can be rejected as the author does not seem 13), thus it cannot be the answer.
to patronise for the consumption of blue food or Option b is also supported by the passage, as it is
other concerns raised in the passage. mentioned that the practice of wild-capture
fisheries has caused conflicts among nations.
2. (a) Option c is supported by the viewpoint of author
Option a is not supported by the passage, and is that “Without the sights, sounds and serendipitous
contrary to the fact that author spends Saturday communal life of a coastal fish market, buying
mornings in fish markets to shopping for the week’s seafood has lost its allure for me”.
groceries. Hence it’s the answer. Option d is the correct answer as it is contrary to the
Option b is directly from Para 7, “aquaculture is passage and also the author suggests that “it isn’t
unlikely to ever completely replace wild-capture particularly good for human health, either.
fisheries in the foreseeable future”. Consuming meat excessively, especially the red
Option c finds inference from Para 5, “The logic of and processed kinds, exposes us to higher risks for
blue foods, particularly aquatic animals, being less various lifestyle-related diseases”. Hence, the
burdensome to the environment is fairly simple”. author is least likely to support the statement of
Option d is supported by Para 10, as “sizeable Option d.
portion of these fish are caught in the waters of
developing countries, where they are an important 5. (c)
source of sustenance for local populations”. Option a is too narrow to conclude whole passage.
Hence, is rejected.
3. (b) Option b closely reflects the passage, but it misses
Option a is contrary to the passage and hence can out on the impact of increased meat consumption
be rejected. From (Para-3), “By factory farming on the planet. Thus it cannot be the answer.
livestock, we are now able to produce meat at Option c correctly reflects the true essence of the
unbelievably low costs”. passage. Be it livestock rearing(aquaculture)
Option b is the most accurate answer as it finds causing increased meat consumption by the people
inference from the passage, “Data show a strong and bringing in prosperity, to the conflicts among
positive correlation between a country’s GDP per nations and the questions of social impact being
capita and the amount of meat the average citizen unanswered. Hence, it is our answer.
consumes in a year.” (Para-3) Option d is again too narrow as it only revolves
around aquaculture. Hence it cannot be the answer.

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