Here’s a look at this week’s can’t-miss SeafoodSource news stories and commentaries:
• Genetically modified (GM) salmon is in the news again. Late last week, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) introduced legislation that would prevent the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from approving GM fish. He also submitted legislation would require the FDA to label GM fish as such if it’s approved. The bills comes as a study authored by Duke University researchers and published in the journal Science called the FDA’s assessment of GM salmon too narrow. SeaFood Business Editor-in-Chief Fiona Robinson made the case for GM salmon in her commentary “Fishmeal the X factor in GM salmon saga.”
• Alaska’s Norton Sound Economic Development Corp.’s Norton Sound Seafood House is only a few days old, but the restaurant’s backers are already talking about the potential for expansion. Customer feedback has been so positive that HMSHost, which operates the restaurant in situated Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, is already looking at opening locations in as many as 40 airports.
• As the Marine Stewardship Council approaches its 100th certified fishery, the London-based program has reached another milestone — The 7,000th MSC eco-labeled product — peeled, frozen shrimp — is now being sold at British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. Sainsbury's is the largest retailer of MSC-certified seafood in the United Kingdom, with more than 75 product lines, and more than one-tenth of its seafood products bear the MSC eco-label.
• A couple of celebrity chefs in Britain made news this week. Mitch Tonks’ new iPhone application, dubbed “Eat Fish” and designed to help consumers buy, handle and prepare seafood, is now available on iTunes for GBP 2.99. Also, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s new Fish Fight campaign, intended to raise awareness of fish wastefully discarded at sea, received a big endorsement from frozen seafood giant Findus Group and its Young’s Seafood brand.
• And don’t miss SeafoodSource Contributing Editor Lindsey Partos’ interview with Dr. Tom Pickerell, director of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, who talks about oysters, spider crabs and generating demand for underutilized species. Available as a six-and-a-half-minute audio clip, the interview is available only to SeafoodSource premium members. Click here to upgrade to premium membership.
