Globalization of ingredient supply

[rlibkind]

Okay, I've seen frozen seafood from all over the globe: shrimp from southeast asia, Iceland filets, New Zealand green lipped mussels.

But here's a new one I found at the Wegman's in Cherry Hill NJ last week with the following notations on the label:

Seabass Cheeks

Product of Falkland Islands

Processed in China

btw, they were priced at $15/pound.

Edited October 16, 2007 by rlibkind (log)

[wildfirecutlery.com]

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/trade/chile.pdf

I would avoid stuff like this . Chinese factory fisheries rape the seas and are beyond any laws . It is like eating rhino cheeks or tails - or any other rare animal from a place that is under great pressure from all sides . Perhaps the person in charge of buying the fish knows for sure it's source , but I would bet not .

This is an excellent PDF on good afe choices.

http://www.fishonline.org/information/MCSP..._Fish_Guide.pdf

[rlibkind]

Here's the response I got from Wegman's when I queried them on this issue:

Dear Robert:  We received your email and we thank you for taking the time to contact us.

The story behind Wegmans Chilean Sea Bass is that it comes from a fishery that is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.  This means the fish have been caught legally and responsibly protecting future populations.  In addition, Wegmans works with an MSC-certified processor and Wegmans has just completed the program to become an MSC-certified retailer.  This means our customers can enjoy this fish without concerns about causing further endangerment to the fish or the environment.

I hope this information is helpful.  Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.  We value you as a customer and want to continue serving you.

Sincerely,

Mary Joan, Team Leader

Wegmans Consumer Affairs

I did double-check on the MSC website, and, indeed, Patagonian toothfish (a.k.a. Chilean Sea Bass) from the South Georgia/Sandwich Island/Falkland Islands region administered by the UK is a certified, sustainable fisheries.

Edited October 18, 2007 by rlibkind (log)

[helenjp]

I'm inclined to think that it was caught legally if it lists both the area where it was caught and the area where it was produced - the people who don't fish legally are not the ones who advertise where they fish!

It is a huge issue though.

[djyee100]

Awhile back I had a conversation with an environmentalist who believed the laws supposedly regulating these catches have loopholes large enough for a giant fish trawler to go thru. Apparently the "legal" ships have permits and as long as they arrive in port with the permit the catch is considered legal. She believed that while at sea some ships transfer illegal catches to ships with the permits, which then deliver these catches to port as "legal." She said the laws surrounding these catches are ridiculously easy to avoid. The legal designation on these catches, she said, make consumers easy in their minds about eating these fish, but the permit program may be a sham.

Myself, I don't touch the stuff.

Some basic info about the permit program: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2002/8989.htm

Seafood Watch at the Monterey Bay Aquarium still has Chilean sea bass on its "avoid" list. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_s...lternatives.asp

Edited October 20, 2007 by djyee100 (log)