It sounds like the sort of hellish prediction one instinctively distrusts. It’s too hard to imagine, too frightening, and too big. Might as well keep on fishing and keep on eating, right?

The study led by Nova Scotia scientist Boris Worm was first reported on in the November 3 issue of the journal Science. Newspapers across the country picked up the story immediately.

The present pace of fishing will likely result in a “global collapse” of all fish species that we now eat by as soon as 2050, according to the study. Currently, 29% of fish species have already collapsed, or fallen to below 10% of previous population levels. Ecologists and fishing experts predict that this is just the beginning of a trend that could lead to a total collapse of fish populations if action is not taken.

Probably like many of you, I was blown away by this news. I did some digging though, and I’m glad to report that we as consumers can still make a difference. Of course, you can simply stop eating fish or just eat less. But if going cold turkey on your fish eating isn’t an option for you, there’s still much that you can do:

• The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation’s Seafood Watch Program has an online seafood guide and printable pocket-size guides that place fish into three categories: Best Choices, Good Alternatives, and Avoid.

• You can also pledge to make a difference and join the Seafood Watch Advocates Program. Leaving “Become Aware” cards and Thank You cards at businesses are amongst a few of the actions Advocates pledge to perform. I signed up!

• Teachers and parents can find fun, educational resources for their children at the Marine Stewardship Council’s Fish & Kids site
  

• Check out the Sustainable Kitchen, an award winning cookbook by chef Stu Stein.

• Retailers can display FishWise cards, a program developed by the Sustainable Fishery Advocates. Retailers and restaurants can also buy sustainable, top quality seafood from CleanFish and their alliance of artisan producers.

• Fans of boating, diving, fishing and even regular beach goers can find 5 simple tips to protect oceans at Environmental Defense’s Oceans Alive site. Oceans Alive also has healthy seafood guides with information about avoiding PCBs, mercury and other contaminants in fish.

The first time Aaron slugged my shoulder to express his joy at seeing a shiny new Toyota Prius glide by, I didn't know what to think. Was this the grown-up version of the punch buggy game my brother and I tortured each other with every time we saw a Volkswagen beetle? If so, how had the stakes changed 20 years and 100 pounds later? And, more importantly, what were the rules??!!

To figure out the game, I began a first phase of consumer research: namely, me punching random people on the streets of New York to see how they reacted when I screamed "That's a hybrid!" in their faces. Some people laughed. Others, the early adopters as we call them, nodded in approval, quickly processing what had just happened, understanding the sheer genius of the game, marveling at the viral potential, and immediately scanning the streets for another Prius to get even. Others, let's just say, haven't caught on just yet. There were, I admit, a few insults. A few threats. Many just took off running, perhaps confusing the game for tag. Yes, there was a big guy with a big fist and tiny dog who got in my face saying, "My hummer will crush you, earth lover." I ended the consumer research phase when an increase in the national security alert level made folks a bit too jumpy and suspicious to play.