“Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.” (Psalm 104:25)

People have identified thousands and thousands of types of fish—and they find new kinds every year. That’s a lot of variety! And in many parts of the world, fish is a big deal. It’s on the menu every day—especially in countries where people do not have a lot of money.

Families in Thailand and Laos catch fish (and frogs!) in streams, canals, and flooded rice fields. In Spain, frugal fishermen get two meals out of one fish by eating the fish then boiling its leftovers to make broth to cook rice in. People in Zambia preserve their fish by putting it on drying racks. They must protect the drying fish from insects, birds, and rain. If this affordable fish is lost, poor people could go hungry.

When God made fish, He gave people something healthy to eat. Raw, pickled, smoked, or poached . . . eat a plate of fish and you’re filling your belly with healthy protein. Protein makes every bone and muscle in your body work. Fish’s omega fatty acids make your brain and heart healthy too.

When food is scarce in poor parts of the world, fish can fill in the gaps. Do you remember the job Jesus’ disciples Peter and Andrew had? They were fishermen! And fish still give people the jobs and food they need to live.