I love Gordon Ramsey. There, I’ve said it. Recently on one of his successful television series (BBC’s the F-Word, F is for Food) he talked about why he has removed his top signature dish from the menu of his many restaurants: Chilean Sea Bass. It’s because this fish, like so many others, have been hauled up in fishing nets by the millions for years and has now become threatened as a species. Fishermen have noticed huge declining numbers of this particular fish for over a decade. On another BBC television show’s episode, a Last Restaurant Standing chef had to cater a dinner party and served the endangered sea bass and not only failed the challenge but recieved quite a stern tongue-lashing from host and judge Raymond LeBlanc.
Chilean Sea Bass is not the only over-harvested fish. There are dozens of fish out there who have been culled to the brink of extinction. How does one keep up on the latest statistics? Monterey Bay Aquarium in California has come to the rescue. A person can download handy cards which list the endangered fish, as well as give suggestions for which fish to choose instead. Their website at: www.montereybayaquarium.org shows a host of different downloadable cards based on geographic location, or you can download the “national” card option. They suggest you put the card in your wallet or purse and then refer to it when you’re dining out. How clever!
Tags: endangered, fish, seafood
