Monday, November 12, 2007PENSIVEA Washington Post reader wanted more information on what's been called the "laxative fish." The newspaper’s expert responds below: Escolar -- which also goes by the names white tuna, walu and Hawaiian butterfish, and is a byproduct of the long-line tuna industry -- gets its reputation thanks to its abundance of omega-3, a type of fat found in oil-rich fish. "Some people embrace it," says Joseph Lasprogata, a certified marine biologist and director of purchasing for Samuels & Son Seafood Co. in Philadelphia. Like cod liver oil, he says, escolar "lubricates the highway, as it were." Consumers who want to minimize escolar's potential effects should limit their portion size to no more than six ounces, adds the fish expert. – Washington Post More restaurants hit with media fish fraud stingsCINCINNATI – Inside Edition found five area restaurants serving cheaper tilapia as sushi, instead of the expensive Japanese red snapper as claimed, says producer Larry Posner from the syndicated show. Restaurants selling fraudulent fish had very-Japanese-sounding names, such as Benihana, Dancing Wasabi, and Kyoto Japanese cuisine. Posner collected sushi samples while eating at the popular restaurants in late summer, then took them to a New York laboratory for DNA testing. Inside Edition came to Cincinnati and Cleveland as “good examples of Midwestern cities. We didn’t want to just do New York restaurants,” Posner says. “Our supplier says they don’t have red snapper. The only thing they have is tilapia,” says Jason Shi, owner of Kyoto Japanese Cuisine. – Cincinnati Enquirer (Editor’s note: National television shows aren’t alone in targeting seafood retailers with such stings. Local-market stations have led the way. Hardly a week goes by without a report of another sting by another small station. It’s cheap for them, plus gives them a populist patina. If retailers want to protect themselves, check out the May issue of Wild Catch magazine. We have all the information you need to have your own fish tested cheaply … before your local television station does it for you. If you don’t have a copy of the magazine, tell us at editor@wildcatchmagazine.com. We’ll send you what you need.) Northeast scallop season off to a good start NANTUCKET – The commercial scalloping season kicked off with a bountiful harvest that was barely derailed by the remnants of Hurricane Noel. In two days before the storm battered the island, most of the commercial boats made it back to the docks with their limits in a matter of hours, harbormaster Dave Fronzuto said. Island fish markets began the season paying fishermen $11 per pound of shucked meat, and selling the scallops retail for $18 and $19 per pound. The fast start to the season was good news for the island’s commercial fleet, most of which dropped out early in each of the last two years. When the last commercial scallop season ended in March, the fleet had gathered only 3,860 bushels – the lowest tally since the Marine Department began to keep track of landings in 1976. The slow season came on the heels of a dismal 2005-2006 season, when commercial scallopers landed only 5,500 bushels. “Now we’re landing 480 to 490 bushels per day, so if we stay on that pace we’ll pass last year’s bushel count in 10 days,” Fronzuto said. -- Nantucket Island Inquirer, Mass. EU putting pressure on China seafood processors BEIJING -- European Union efforts to crack down on illegal fishing mean that major fish processing countries such as China must strengthen certification to prove the sources of their products are legally caught, the EU said. Cod and other protected fish have ended up in China and other countries for processing, hindering efforts to make fisheries more sustainable and creating unfair competition for legal fishing vessels, said Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. "This is why we encourage our partners like China and all the countries from whom we import fish products, to see to it that they have the proper mechanism in place so that they would be able to certify that that fish has at its source fish which is legally caught," Borg told a news conference. He said he also explained a new EU draft law that cracks down on illegal fishing in European waters with stiff fines and the blacklisting of boats and countries. The law calls for a scheme in which the import of all fish and fisheries products into the EU would require certification to prove the catch has been legally caught. If vessels break the rules, they may find EU ports closed to them. – The Guardian, UK <<<•>>> Tuesday, November 13, 2007 SAN FRANCISCO – Commercial crabbers set to begin their season this week voted to delay the Dungeness opener and are asking Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to close the waters outside the Golden Gate to crabbing by sport fishermen, as well. Captains and crew from commercial crabbing boats in San Francisco and Marin counties, Half Moon Bay, Bodega Bay and as far north as Crescent City in Del Norte County met at the Crab Boat Owners Association hall on Al Scoma Way at Fisherman's Wharf. When they emerged, the association's president, Larry Collins, said, "We are asking for the immediate closure of both commercial and sport crabbing. And we are asking for immediate action from the governor." During the meeting, the commercial fishermen were briefed on the magnitude of the spill and its potential effects on Dungeness crab. They also were presented with potential liability issues associated with crabbing in or near remnants of Wednesday's bunker oil spill, and were addressed by Supervisor Aaron Peskin, whose district includes Fisherman's Wharf. Before the meeting, Peskin made it clear that the effects of the fuel spill are far reaching. "This is a regional disaster," Peskin said. "I think there are very legitimate health concerns associated with crab." – San Francisco Chronicle Some fishermen get higher prices for scallopsMARTHA’S VINEYARD – Vineyard commercial fishermen are coming out ahead in a price war over bay scallops. Island commercial bay scallop fishermen received as much as $15 a pound, while their counterparts on Nantucket were paid only $11 a pound. Consumers on both Islands yesterday were paying essentially the same price, around $18 a pound. In Orleans, the price was $29.99 a pound. The Vineyard and Nantucket still have viable bay scallops fisheries, though Cape Cod does have pockets of success. If the two Islands, the Vineyard has been the more consistent Island for sending bay scallops to market. Nantucket is only now coming out of a tough stretch of poor landings, far less than the Vineyard as a total. This year will be different: Nantucket landings could exceed 10,000 bushels. – Martha's Vineyard Gazette, Mass. Health extra: Fish oil fights inflammatory diseases WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that low dose dietary supplementation with omega-3 fish oils in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) -- a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and other organs of the body -- has a significant therapeutic effect on disease activity. “This study confirms the beneficial effects of omega-3 fish oils in improving the symptoms of SLE and also provides evidence for the potential cardioprotective effect they may have in this group of patients,” said Dr Stephen Wright, specialist registrar in rheumatology, department of therapeutics and musculoskeletal education & research unit, Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and lead investigator in the study. – Times of India <<<•>>>
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 SAN FRANCISCO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday suspended all fishing in areas affected by last week's San Francisco Bay oil spill. He called the incident an "unbelievable human failure" and promised to investigate the spill and the U.S. Coast Guard's response. Meanwhile, markets that have planned on Dungeness crab following the commercial season opener will go without, or be forced to buy outside of the area – at higher prices. Pacific Fresh Seafood Company, Northern California's largest distributor of crab, plans to get supplies from Washington and Oregon when the crab season starts there on December 1. Fishermen concerned about the 58,000-gallon spill had requested the move, which delays Thursday's scheduled start of the highly anticipated commercial season for Dungeness crab and interrupts the catch for sport fishermen. "It's not only heartbreaking but it is also outrageous," said Schwarzenegger, referring to the oil spill. "We have to really make sure that we investigate this thoroughly and to see also if we as a state can do more in order to prevent those kind of accidents," Schwarzenegger said. "Believe me, we will ask the tough questions that need to be asked." The spill occurred when a cargo ship struck the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in heavy fog last week, tearing a gash in its hull. The pilot of the ship said he immediately reported the presence of oil in the water, but cleanup crews didn't arrive on the scene for nearly 90 minutes. A Coast Guard log places a skimming vessel at the scene within 80 minutes. – Various on-line sources Lawmaker wants more stringent labelingWASHINGTON -- Meat and seafood companies should label products that have been treated with carbon monoxide and warn consumers "not to rely on the color, texture or apparent wholesomeness of their products," a Democratic lawmaker said Tuesday. Using carbon monoxide to treat meat and fish is "highly deceptive" in that it "artificially preserves the color of meat, making it appear fresh, even after it has spoiled," said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chairman of Energy and Commerce's oversight and investigations subcommittee, at a hearing. Carbon monoxide does not impart a color to meat, but maintains its naturally occurring color, said Daniel Engeljohn, a deputy assistant administrator with the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, criticized the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture for permitting "potentially deceptive" use of carbon monoxide, particularly in light of its ban in Canada, Europe and Japan. "FDA and USDA have also refused to require the companies to label their products as treated with carbon monoxide -- something every consumer should know before a purchase," Dingell said. – Market Watch Fish oils battle lupus Omega-3 fish oils may benefit lupus activity as well as cardiovascular effects for patients with lupus, according to research presented recently at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston. Systemic lupus erythematosus (also called SLE or lupus) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and other organs of the body. Patients with lupus may also develop premature cardiovascular disease. Researchers randomly assigned 60 patients with lupus in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on disease activity and endothelial function. The investigators employed various methods to measure lupus disease activity and to study endothelial function and cell damaging free radical molecules in this 24-week study. At the end of the study, participants who had been taking omega-3 fish oil showed significant improvement in all areas of measurement, including improved blood vessel function and a reduction in cell damaging molecules—resulting in potential cardiovascular benefits. There was also a significant improvement in a number of the symptoms of active lupus. Adapted from materials provided by American College of Rheumatology in Science Daily Health extra: Fish improves mental sharpness OSLO -- Eating at least 10 grams of fish per day may make for a sharper mind, new research shows. That news comes from Norway, where people often eat fatty fish such as salmon, lean fish such as cod, and processed fish such as fish "fingers." In a Norwegian study, about 2,030 people in their early 70s reported their fish consumption and took various mental skills tests. People who reported eating on average at least a third of an ounce of fish per day -- 10 grams -- outscored those who skimped on fish, regardless of factors including age, education, and heart health. Most participants ate fish, and the more fish they ate, the better their test scores were -- up to a point. Test scores leveled off for people who ate more than about 2.5 to 2.8 daily ounces of fish. To put that in perspective, 3 ounces of fish is about the size of a checkbook, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Norwegian researchers -- who included Dr. Eha Nurk of Norway's University of Oslo -- didn't follow the elders over time, so they can't prove that fish boosted test scores. But a new Dutch study connects those dots, linking a quicker mind to higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. Other omega-3 fatty acids called ALAs are found in certain plant foods, including walnuts, flaxseeds, and spinach. <<<•>>> Thursday, November 15, 2007This item also appeared in our Fish Wrap service. SAN FRANCISCO – Despite the delay of the local season, Dungeness crab lovers still can enjoy the sweet crustacean at local restaurants and seafood markets now and even on Thanksgiving. The crabs will just be coming from elsewhere along the West Coast. And they may set you back a bit more in the pocketbook than local ones would. The state of California delayed the opener of the Dungeness crab season near San Francisco Bay, where a fuel oil spill occurred last week. At Cook's Seafood Market in Menlo Park, where whole, cooked Dungeness is sold year-round, employees are ramping up for the holidays, the busiest time for crab. During a regular week, the store might sell 1,000 pounds, said Mike Crumrine, the store's general manager and fish buyer. But during Thanksgiving week, the store goes through about 2,500 pounds of crab. And on Christmas Eve, a whopping 10,000 pounds. He expects it'll be the same this year, despite the aftermath of the oil spill. "At this time of year, people start thinking of crab," Crumrine said. "And when that happens, it doesn't matter where it comes from, as long as they can get it." Cook's has no trouble stocking Dungeness because there's almost always a season open somewhere on the West Coast. The crabs, now coming from Washington state, are shipped alive, then cooked at the store, where they then sell for $8.99 a pound. That's about $1 to $2 more a pound than local ones would be, Crumrine said, because of higher transportation costs to get them to the Bay Area. Race Street Seafood, a retail and wholesale market in San Jose, also has plenty of Dungeness in stock. As long as the weather holds next week in Washington, there should be plenty of crab to put on Thanksgiving tables in the Bay Area, said Dan Barsanti, seafood buyer and vice president of Race Street Seafood. "You might have to pay $1 or $2 more a pound," he said. "But it's not a lot of money when you're looking at a holiday tradition. It's still cheap in comparison to a tank of gas to have that special dinner." Although recreational and commercial fishing has been banned in much of San Francisco Bay because of the oil spill, specialty seafood stores don't expect shortages or higher prices to hit any other seafood they normally stock at this time of year because all are available elsewhere. Restaurants in the touristy areas of Monterey and San Francisco's Fishermen's Wharf have had to make some adjustments, though, Barsanti said. This past Monday and Tuesday, Barsanti has sold more frozen crabs to them than in the past five weeks combined. With no local crabs available and menu prices already set, those restaurants have had to turn to frozen because they can't afford to buy live ones from farther away. That's not the case at the legendary Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero, a seafood institution since 1894. Customers still have been ordering the famous cioppino and fresh cracked crab dishes like crazy, and even more so because the restaurant was recently spotlighted on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." The restaurant has been going through 100 pounds of fresh crab a day from Washington since last Friday after the show aired. "We always put on the menu where our seafood is from, and now we're really doing it because of the oil spill," said Ron Duarte, third-generation owner. "People are not holding back on ordering the crab. Not by any means." – San Jose Mercury News Chances of "real" fish and chips diminishLONDON – The prospect of cod returning to levels where it is can once again be the staple of fish and chips looks gloomier than ever in the wake of a study of the impact of climate change. The world's cod fisheries are disappearing fast, with a global catch that declined from 3.1 million tons in 1970 to 950,000 in 2000. If such a trend continued, the world's cod stocks would disappear in 15 years, by some estimates. A recent study suggests that it is going to be hard for stocks of the fish to recover quickly. As the favourable areas for the fish move north as a result of warming, then the species could be in trouble. Grant Bigg of the University of Sheffield led an international team that has studied how Atlantic cod tolerated past climate changes. He said: "If there aren't enough fish available to colonise in sufficient numbers to create a viable population then climate change could keep the threat to fish and chips permanent." A study by Prof Bigg and colleagues shows that cod "are good at surviving habitat reduction, except in the northern half of their range. With regard to future climate change, it is clear that the acceptable habitat will retreat poleward significantly as temperatures warm," he says. It is not unlikely that acceptable conditions for spawning will disappear from much of the North Atlantic to become restricted to the Arctic." Cod is currently not found there, apart from the Barents Sea, and so there is the question of whether the currently depleted species is able to colonise new areas faster than its old habitat is lost, says Prof Bigg, who publishes his new work today with an international team in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences. The team's study shows that natural climate change has previously reduced the range of cod to around a fifth of what it is today, but despite this, cod continued to populate both sides of the North Atlantic. -- The Telegraph, U.K. Oops! Student newspaper uncovers double standard MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Advertisements in our dining area have emphasized the environmental sustainability of the fish served by Bon Appétit. 21st century Fulton is just fine NEW YORK CITY – The fishmongers of the old Fulton Fish Market on the downtown Manhattan waterfront were somewhat leery of the move to a brand-spanking new, fully enclosed market way up in the Bronx. But after settling in, they’ve gotten hooked on their new location. Now, two years since the market exchanged the cobblestone streets and unrelenting seagulls next to the South Street Seaport for the temperature-controlled, 400,000 square-foot distribution center at Hunts Point, business is going, well, swimmingly. The new market, which employs more than 10,000 people, is the largest market of its kind in the country. Together with the rest of the 329-acre Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, it is part of the largest commercial food center in the world. When Mayor Bloomberg visited the market on opening day, he predicted it would create $1 billion in annual economic activity in the Bronx. On a recent weekday morning, cartons of iced fish, scales loaded down with tuna and sea bass, and men throwing fish in the air, made the center feel lively. Restaurant owners and grocery chains come to buy tons of fish every day. The $85 million project, which took 10 years to build, has finally found its home. – New York Daily News <<<•>>>
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