Barter as currency

From awareness to responsibility: Why each of us should think of Timmy the next time we buy fish.

Since the beginning of March 2026, a humpback whale has been keeping Germany on edge. First spotted in the port of Wismar, “Timmy,” also affectionately called “Hope,” had become entangled in a net and was rescued. Since then, volunteers, veterinarians, politicians, and the entire nation have been emotionally fighting for him. Human chains, rescue boats, sandbags, drones. Everything is being tried to save this one animal.
That’s beautiful. And it’s a good thing.
But it also confronts us with an uncomfortable question: Why are we so deeply moved by a single whale, while every day we buy products that systematically kill whales and dolphins?

What connects Timmy with our everyday life

Timmy’s story is not just a natural spectacle. It is also a mirror. According to Wikipedia, his appearance on German coasts is a sign of the partial recovery of humpback whale populations – the result of decades of international protection measures and the moratorium on commercial whaling. Protection has worked.
At the same time, Timmy may be dying from exactly what happens every day: fishing nets.
His first appearance: he had become entangled in a net.

Bycatch: The Invisible Catastrophe

Bycatch is the leading cause of death for marine mammals worldwide. What few people realize: with every fish stick, every can of tuna, every shrimp cocktail, this silent mass dying can be co-financed.
What exactly is bycatch? When fishing with large nets (trawl nets, gillnets or purse seines), it’s not only the target fish that end up in the net. Whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and seabirds are also caught. Many die in agony because they can no longer surface or are injured by the pressure of the net.
Particularly dramatic: the death of a single whale can destabilize an entire family group. Whales live in close social units. If the experienced matriarch, who knows the best feeding grounds, dies, the entire group suffers.

The MSC label: No free pass for whales

Many consumers trust the blue MSC label (Marine Stewardship Council) as a guarantee of sustainable fishing. The problem: even MSC-certified products do not guarantee adequate whale protection.
According to a study by NABU and BirdLife International, only 13% of the MSC-certified fisheries examined received a good rating on the issue of bycatch. For the overwhelming majority, the unwanted bycatch rates of whales, dolphins and other threatened species did not even decrease after certification.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation organisation (WDC) is also clear: MSC certifications do not guarantee that whales and dolphins did not suffer or die during the catch.

Which fish products are particularly problematic?

These products and fishing methods are particularly under criticism:

🚫 Avoid or question

• Tuna from purse seine nets (often canned). High dolphin bycatch; even MSC-certified fisheries in the Mexican Pacific have been criticized
• Prawns and shrimpEspecially from trawl fisheries using bottom trawls, which also destroy the seabed; in addition: North Atlantic prawn and lobster fisheries demonstrably contribute to the decline of the North Atlantic right whale
• Fish sticks, breaded fish and convenience products.Here, the origin and fishing method are often not declared.
• Krill products (dietary supplements, omega-3 from krill). Krill is the main food source for whales; fishing it literally deprives them of their means of survival
• Gillnet fishing in the North and Baltic Seas. According to WDC, very likely associated with negative impacts on harbour porpoise populations

What can we do? The good news

Consumption plays a part in the decision. And this is where smantry becomes relevant: anyone who shops consciously, wastes less, and deliberately chooses alternatives is already doing a lot.

📱 How the Smantry app helps

When you use Smantry to plan your food and avoid leftovers, you automatically reduce your footprint – including on the oceans. Anyone who plans more consciously shops more purposefully, chooses plant-based proteins more often, and takes a second look at the label when buying fish.
Tip: Use Smantry to replace fish meals more often with sustainable alternatives, e.g. legumes, mushrooms or tofu as the main protein source, and save fish for moments when you really know what’s in it.

The conclusion: Timmy as a turning point?

Millions of people have been rooting for Timmy in recent weeks. This shows how deep our connection with these fascinating animals is. Now it’s time to turn this feeling into action.
Because while Timmy’s rescue is in the spotlight, whales and dolphins are silently dying in nets every day. Without a name, without a hashtag, without a live blog.
Let’s make sure that the empathy we feel for Timmy doesn’t end with his fate, but begins with our next purchase.

Read this articles as well:

Do you know that?

You’re looking for your favorite cream and instead you find three half-used ones.
Last summer’s lipstick is buried somewhere at the very bottom.
And with the mascara you’re wondering: Can I still use this… or is it better not to?

Cosmetics can quickly become confusing. And just like with food, something happens here that many people underestimate:Products are bought twice, forgotten, and ultimately thrown away.

But it can be done differently.

Why organizing your cosmetics is so important

Cosmetics, just like food, have a limited shelf life.
The problem: it’s often less visible.

Many products bear the so-called PAO symbol (Period After Opening), for example:

• 6M → 6 months shelf life after opening
• 12M → shelf life of 12 months
• 24M → Shelf life 24 months

👉 But: Who actually remembers exactly when something was opened?

The result:

• Uncertainty in use
• Skin irritation caused by expired products
• unnecessary new purchase
• more trash

The solution: Organize your cosmetics like your pantry

With the Smantry app you can not only manage your groceries –
but also organize your cosmetics smartly.

And this is where it really gets exciting.

How to use the app for your beauty products

1. Record all products

Simply add your cosmetic products in the app:

• Face creams
• Make-up
• Hair products
• Sunscreen
• Perfume

💡 Tip: Create categories like “Skincare,” “Makeup,” or “Haircare” so you can find everything again more quickly.

2. Record opening date

This is the game changer.

As soon as you open a product:
👉 enter the opening date in the app

This way you can always keep track of:

• how long you have been using it
• whether it is still safe

💡 Especially important for:

• Mascara (very short shelf life!)
• liquid products
• Natural cosmetics

3. Keep an eye on shelf life

Even though cosmetics don’t have a classic “best before” date:

👉 You can set your own reminders
👉 or sort by usage time

This is how you immediately recognize:

• which should be used up soon
• which has been open for a long time

4. Avoid duplicate purchases

How many times have you bought something and only realized at home:

"But I’ve already done that…"

With your digital overview, that won’t happen anymore.

👉 Take a quick look in the app before buying
👉 see what you really need

This saves:

• Money
• place
• Resources

Sustainability starts in the bathroom

Cosmetics is an often underestimated area when it comes to sustainability.

Many products:

• contain microplastics
• come in elaborate packaging
• are disposed of when half full

With better organization, you can:

✔ Use up products completely
✔ Consume more consciously
✔ Reduce your waste

Bonus: Less chaos in your head

Keeping things tidy in the bathroom also means:

• less stress in the morning
• clearer routines
• more conscious decisions

You just know what you’ve got.
And that changes more than you’d think.

Conclusion: Small habit, big impact

Organizing cosmetics might sound trivial at first.
But it isn’t.

Because this is exactly where the following are hiding:

• unnecessary expenses
• unconscious consumption
• avoidable waste