According to a new national consumer survey by New York-based market research firm Harris Interactive, 78 percent of Americans will not order marlin or other billfish off a menu and 33 percent won't even walk in the door of a restaurant that serves marlin.
The survey was administered by the "Take Marlin off the Menu" campaign, launched in November by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the Billfish Foundation (TBF) and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC) to stop marlin overfishing in the Atlantic and Pacific by reducing demand for the billfish.
Scott Leysath, also known as "The Sporting Chef" and co-host of the "HuntFishCook" TV show, joined the "Take Marlin off the Menu" campaign in February. In his 20-year career as a chef, Leysath, an avid angler and hunter, has supported the catch and release of all fish and the harvest of only sustainable species.
"As chefs, we have a great deal of authority in influencing the eating desires and habits of American consumers," Leysath said. "We need to take action now to ensure that marlin and other billfish are around for a very long time."
Another notable chef who joined the campaign last December is Wolfgang Puck, whose 15 upscale restaurants, catering services and more than 80 quick-service operations all support sustainable seafood and do not serve marlin.
"American consumers are sending America's chefs, restaurant owners and seafood retailers a clear message - it's time to stand up for sustainable seafood and go marlin-free," said Ken Hinman, president of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, a Leesburg, Va.-based group comprised of conservation-minded fishermen.
"The campaign is gaining traction and our Web site, www.takemarlinoffthemenu.org, has received more than 75,000 hits since we launched it last November. This figure, combined with the publicity we're generating, tells me that American consumers are concerned about the future of marlin and other billfish and are ready to make a commitment to take marlin off the menu," Hinman added.
According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States is the world's biggest importer of billfish (marlin, sailfish or spearfish) between 2003 and 2006, importing an average of 1,260 metric tons or about 12,000 billfish annually. According to United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization data, Taiwan is the world's largest exporter of billfish, at 8,169 metric tons annually between 2001 and 2005.
According to IGFA statistics, the global billfish population has declined 80 percent since its peak in the 1950s.
March 24, 2009
