Feds Seize 300 Tons Of Illegal Chilean Sea Bass

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities along the West Coast have seized more than 600,000 pounds of suspected illegal Chilean sea bass in recent weeks, a US$10 million haul that environmentalists say reflects a thriving black market trade in the delicate, tasty fish.

Illegally caught and often routed through more friendly foreign markets to disguise its origin or capture, the high-priced delicacy is a popular target for pirates in the South Pacific and Antarctic oceans. As a result, stocks are dwindling.

In a report set for release Tuesday, the National Environmental Trust blames regulation loopholes, sophisticated smuggling techniques, and overburdened border enforcement for the illegal trade.

"There is no way for restaurants, grocery stores, or consumers to know that their Chilean sea bass is legal, so we encourage Americans to continue to take a pass on it," said Andrea Kavanagh, director of the trust's sea bass report team.

Served up in restaurants as Chilean sea bass, the slow-growing, cold water fish is more properly known as Patagonian or Antarctic toothfish.

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=69

[MercutioATC]

1. I have the perfect disposal site for that fish

(if they can get it here, refrigerated, by the end of the day).