Here’s a roundup of this week’s can’t-miss SeafoodSource news stories, market reports and commentaries:
• SeafoodSource Contributing Editor Chris Loew took an in-depth look at yellowtail aquaculture in Japan, following a visit to a farm near Uwajima. Loew posed the question, “Are the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Blue Ocean Institute and other environmental NGOs giving the fish a fair shake in their sustainable seafood buying guides by advising consumers to avoid eating the species?” What Loew uncovered may surprise you. Check out “A mixed score for Japanese yellowtail,” this week’s most read SeafoodSource story.
• Also on the sustainable seafood front, talks are progressing between Trader Joe’s and the Monterey Bay Aquarium about using the Seafood Watch buying guide to improve the retailer’s sustainable seafood purchasing policy. Trader Joe’s was the target of multiple Greenpeace demonstrations in July, and soon after the Monrovia, Calif., retailer reached out to the aquarium due to customer concern. “Talks between Trader Joe’s, aquarium progress” was this week’s second most read SeafoodSource story. The story was also “re-tweeted” multiple times on Twitter.
• In his commentary on Wednesday, SeaFood Business Associate Editor James Wright paid tribute to seafood pioneer Ernie Voisin, the founder of oyster processor Motivatit Seafoods in Houma, La. Voisin passed away last week at age 81. Wright spoke to Ernie’s son Mike about his father’s passion for innovation and the indelible mark he left on seafood processing.
• In addition to his story on yellowtail farming, Loew wrote about mentaiko’s growing popularity worldwide and TV personality Dave Eckert’s visit to Japan. Numerous Japanese seafood companies are looking to expand uses for mentaiko — Alaska pollock eggs marinated in chili, sake, kelp and citrus — with innovative new products. Meanwhile, “Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert” filmed at a seafood restaurant and yellowtail and sea bream farm on Japan’s Shikoku Island for an episode to air on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.
• Got mahimahi on the mind? If so, this week’s mahi market report is a must-read. Currently, mahi prices are edging down, as suppliers work off their inventories after the U.S. catch wound down and before the Central and South American harvest picks up. Though supplies are almost entirely frozen, demand remains steady.
