Omelet > wrote:
> (Steve Pope) wrote:
>> Omelet > wrote:
>> > (Steve Pope) wrote:
>> >> Tangentially, Maine lobster and king crab are both on the
>> >> "try to avoid" list, while Alaska halibut is on the "good" list.
>> >Why?
>> I don't immediately know; I am just going by Seafood Watch's
>> summary.
>I was more interested in your personal opinion...
My personal opinion is that Seafood Watch does a good job
of researching these things.
From their site:
(Alaska Halibut)
Most Pacific halibut is caught either in Alaska or off the
west coast of Canada. In Alaska, fishing for Pacific halibut is
strictly limited to the bottom longlining method, which causes
little habitat damage or bycatch and makes it a "Best Choice."
American/Maine Lobster
Although there's abundant American lobster in the Gulf of Maine,
there.s scientific uncertainty about whether this lobster is
being overfished.
Summary
The large-clawed American lobster, caught off New England, is
found in restaurants and food markets coast to coast. Several
new methods to estimate the population size of American lobster
are being examined, but for now the current population status
is considered weak or unknown.
This, combined with the infrequent accidental entanglement of
endangered North Atlantic right whales in lobster fishing gear,
or pots, is a cause for environmental concern.
King Crab
U.S. king crab is currently well-managed; however some
populations are recovering from previous overfishing making
this a "Good Alternative." King crab imported from Russia is
ranked as "Avoid."
Consumer Note
Buyer beware! Russian king crab is sometimes sold in the
U.S. market as "Alaska king crab." King crab is known as kani
when prepared as sushi.
Summary
King crab is found in cold oceans worldwide. Crab populations
can vary widely from year to year, depending on ocean and
weather conditions.
All three species of king crab are fished in the U.S.; the
two primary king crab populations in Alaska are healthy and
abundant due to responsible fisheries management. However,
several others fisheries are closed; this will allow the crab
populations time to recover from previous overfishing.
Approximately half of all king crab sold in the U.S. market is
imported from Russia, where it is fished in the Russian Far
East and the Barents Sea. Far East king crab populations are
at critically low abundance, a situation made worse by regular
overfishing and illegal fishing. In the Barents Sea, king crab
was introduced in the 1960s. The crab has spread quickly and
has become an invasive species that is seriously impacting the
ecosystem. We recommend consumers "Avoid" imported king crab
and choose king crab from the U.S.
Steve