High-end sushi chain SushiSamba on Thursday announced it's removing bluefin tuna and all non-sustainable seafood items from the menu as part of a sustainable seafood program it is currently developing.
SushiSamba's move comes a week after Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species delegates turned down a proposed international trade ban of Atlantic bluefin tuna at its meeting in Doha, Qatar.
SushiSamba managing partners Shimon Bokovza, Matthew Johnson and Danielle Biller said the company's No Blue campaign supports the effort to protect bluefin tuna. The boycott includes all bluefin tuna options, including Otoro Tuna and Chu Toro Tuna.
"I hope that other restaurants will follow in our footsteps to help protect this wonderful species. SushiSamba is currently in the process of working with our fish purveyors to establish a sustainable seafood program at all our locations," said SushiSamba Corporate Chef Michael Cressotti.
Founded in 1999, SushiSamba, which describes itself as a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, operates seven restaurants in New York, Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas.
March 28, 2010
