As consumers, we make many choices about the products we buy. We make choices whether to spend more to get exactly what we want or whether to buy more affordable options. Sometimes these choices support large-scale industries that harm the environment, and sometimes the choices support industries or small-scale businesses that engage in sustainable practices. With respect to ocean products, one of the most obvious decisions consumers make is the choice about purchasing seafood. Given the wealth of attention devoted to this issue and the websites and resources made available to help in this decision-making, such as Seafood Watch guides, right and wrong choices about seafood are easier to make. But what about choices regarding jewelry, decorations, and pets that come from the ocean?

Watch this video of 7th grade students in Carpinteria, California—a coastal community. The purpose of this classroom video is to see students learn about and discuss the trade-offs of the aquarium trade and whether this trade is good or bad.

For additional classroom context, video analysis, and reflection opportunities, read the Picture of Practice page for "The Aquarium Trade" in the One Ocean Environmental Literacy Teacher Guide, page 128.