Threatened Species
Chilean sea bass
Customers may have questions regarding Giant/Martins’s new sales policy regarding Chilean sea bass, orange roughy and shark. These fact sheets should help answer most questions that you encounter.
Why is Giant/Martins not selling Chilean sea bass?
Giant/Martins is committed to selling seafood that is harvested or farmed in a way that minimizes negative impacts to the ocean environment. Chilean sea bass (Dissostichus eleginoides) has been identified as a high risk species due to their 1) biology, 2) market demand, and 3) fishing method used for capture.
1) Biology
There are some important aspects to the biology of Chilean sea bass that make their populations vulnerable to fishing pressure.
- Long lifespan: Chilean sea bass are estimated to live up to 53 years. They are a slow-growing, long-lived fish. Because of this, it takes populations many years to recover from fishing pressure.
- Late age at maturity: Chilean sea bass are estimated to reach sexual maturity between 6 to 9 years. This means that if the fish are caught before or around this age, they haven’t had much, if any, of a chance to reproduce.
2) Market demand
Chilean sea bass is not a sea bass at all, but rather is a Patagonian toothfish. Chilean sea bass is a name that was created to increase the market appeal for the fish, which was first discovered off of the coast of Chile in the early 1980s. The flesh of Chilean sea bass is white and firm, due to its high oil content. Chefs quickly learned that because of its oil content, Chilean sea bass was easy to prepare and customers loved the taste. These characteristics rapidly increased the demand for Chilean sea bass, so fisheries expanded in the early 1990s to increase supply. This led to increased landings for a period of time, but soon fishermen were catching smaller and fewer Chilean sea bass, indicating population declines. Because demand did not lessen as abundance did, fisheries became more regulated, and this led to increased illegal fishing. Currently, illegal fishing supplies much of the Chilean sea bass to the worldwide market, and causes even higher concern for the future of this fish.
3) Fishing method used for capture
Fishermen catch Chilean sea bass using fishing gear called longlines. A typical longline includes a long fishing line with baited hooks dangling every few feet. Longlines are very effective in catching Chilean sea bass and recent declines in the number and size of Chilean sea bass caught may indicate that the populations are being depleted. Longlines in this fishery also have been known to catch a large number of seabirds with threatened populations (e.g., albatross and, petrels), which are accidentally caught and killed. Species that are accidentally caught during fishing operations are known as bycatch. Populations can be severely impacted when they are captured as bycatch, especially those that are already depleted. Regulations are in place to minimize seabird bycatch, but it is still a major problem in the illegal fishery.
Where does Chilean sea bass come from?
Chilean sea bass is found throughout the world’s southern oceans, in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic areas. This includes areas off of South America, such as Chile, Peru, and Argentina, and around Australia and New Zealand. They reproduce in waters between 800-1,200 m, and have been known to inhabit waters almost 4,000 m deep. Giant/Martins has historically sourced their Chilean sea bass form Chile.
I’ve heard that there is a certified sustainable source of Chilean sea bass, which stores like Whole Foods are selling. Why don’t you buy “certified” Chilean sea bass?
The Marine Stewardship Council has certified a Chilean sea bass fishery from the vicinity of South Georgia Island, off of the southern tip of South America. The stock has been declared a separate stock from the rest of the toothfish in the southern Pacific Ocean. Because this fishery is a small, contained fishery, the annual yield is not nearly enough to fulfill worldwide demand. The certified fish has often been sold off to pre-selected buyers before the fishing season (May through August) even starts, making it difficult to purchase.
Are there any other reasons why you don’t sell Chilean sea bass anymore?
Chilean sea bass is a high-value fish, which has led to a large amount of illegal fishing activity. This unregulated and unaccounted for fishing applies more pressure to Chilean sea bass populations, ultimately leading to serious declines. Chilean sea bass is sometimes passed through the supply chain under a different name, like sea bass, which helps mask the illegally caught fish. Because the illegal trade is so lucrative, and enforcement of fishing laws is suspect, the risk for the illegal fishermen is worth the reward. Therefore, Giant/Martins feels that at this time, avoiding Chilean sea bass is the best way they can contribute to the conservation of these fish populations.
I really like Chilean sea bass. Can you suggest any substitutes?
Chilean sea bass is a white-fleshed fish that absorbs flavors well, but its high oil content sets it apart from other white-fleshed fish, and makes it difficult to overcook. A good alternative for Chilean sea bass is sablefish. Sablefish is caught in the northern Pacific Ocean, and stocks are currently known to be healthy. Many people are not aware that Chilean sea bass made its U.S. debut as an alternative to sablefish in many Chinatown restaurants in California. Other fish such as striped bass, mahi mahi and Pacific halibut may be cooked similarly, with more oil added, and are also ocean friendly options.
Orange Roughy
Why is Giant/Martins not selling orange roughy?
Giant/Martins is committed to selling seafood that is harvested or farmed in a way that minimizes negative impacts to the ocean environment. Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) has been identified as a high risk species for creating negative impacts, due to their 1) biology; 2) market demand; and 3) fishing method used for capture.
1) Biology
There are some important aspects to the biology of orange roughy that make populations vulnerable to fishing pressure.
- Long lifespan: Orange roughy are estimated to live over 100 years. They are a slow-growing, long-lived fish. Because of this, it takes populations many years to recover from fishing pressure.
- Late age at maturity: Orange roughy are estimated to reach sexual maturity at 30 years. This means, if the fish are caught before or around this age, they haven’t had much, if any, of a chance to reproduce.
- Reproductive habits: Orange roughy form large schools (known as spawning aggregations) to reproduce. Fishermen can capture them in large numbers by setting nets on these spawning schools. This fishing strategy can cause rapid depletion of orange roughy populations.
- Reproductive rate: The reproductive rate for orange roughy is low. Their egg production is less than 10% of the average for other species, making their populations even less able to recover from depletion.
2) Market demand
Did you know the original common name for orange roughy is slimehead? The name was changed to be more appealing to consumers. It worked, and commercial fisheries grew in New Zealand and Australia in the 1980s. But by the late 1980s/early 1990s the number of fish caught peaked, and then began to sharply decline. Today, these fish populations are a fraction of what they used to be and many areas are now closed to commercial fishing because of these population declines.
3) Fishing method used for capture
Fishermen use a method called bottom trawling to catch orange roughy. Bottom trawls are basically large nets that are held open with heavy metal doors, which are pulled behind fishing boats and dragged across the ocean floor to catch species that live near the bottom. Therefore, bottom trawls can do a lot of damage to ocean floor habitats, especially in areas that have sensitive species that are immobile, like corals. Orange roughy live near the bottom in areas that have deep-water corals. Fishing for orange roughy not only depletes orange roughy populations, but also depletes deep-water coral populations, which can take even longer to recover.
Where does orange roughy come from?
Giant/Martins has historically bought orange roughy from New Zealand, Australia, and Namibia. It is also found off the coast of Chile and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, among other areas. Orange roughy live in deep water, ranging from 500-1500m, and are often found near seamounts, large underwater mountains.
What’s a seamount?
A seamount is basically an underwater mountain, which usually has formed by volcanic activity. Seamounts tend to have more fish and other marine life than other nearby areas, because their structure creates currents that bring more nutrients and food sources (e.g., plankton) to the area. Some species are even unique to certain seamount areas and are found nowhere else.
I’ve heard that the fisheries in Australia and New Zealand are well-managed. Why not just keep buying orange roughy from there?
Australia and New Zealand do have strong fisheries management systems, which is the reason why fishing for orange roughy has been severely regulated by these countries. Recent evaluations of some populations in New Zealand that seemed to be stable in the past reveal that they may not be in very good shape after all. Australia even added orange roughy to its threatened species list, and it is the first commercial fish to be put on the list.
OK, so you aren’t selling orange roughy, but I really like it. Can you suggest any substitutes?
Orange roughy is a flaky whitefish that has a mild flavor, similar to flounder/sole. Dover sole is a good species to use as a substitute. Tilapia is also a good alternative.
Are there any other reasons why you don’t sell orange roughy anymore?
Orange roughy fits the profile as a classic boom and bust fishery. These are fisheries that start with very high catches, which at first increase. But after a few years, catch rates sharply decline because the population can’t sustain itself under all of the fishing pressure. The population then becomes severely depleted and the commercial fishery dries up. This has happened in a variety of orange roughy fisheries over the past 30 years. Therefore, Giant/Martins feels that at this time, avoiding orange roughy is the best way they can contribute to the conservation of these fish populations.
Sharks
Why is Giant/Martins not selling shark?
Giant/Martins is committed to selling seafood that is harvested or farmed in a way that minimizes negative impacts to the ocean environment. Sharks have been identified as a high risk species due to their 1) biology; 2) market demand; and 3) role in the ocean ecosystem.
1) Biology
There are more than 350 species of shark. The three species of sharks that Giant/Martins has traditionally sold are blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus), shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), and porbeagle (Lamna nasus). Some of their biological characteristics are listed below, with ranges for these species.
- Long lifespan: Lifespans range from 12-30 years. These sharks are slow-growing, long-lived species. Because of this, it takes populations many years to recover from fishing pressure.
- Late age at maturity: Age at sexual maturity ranges from 5-13 years. If these sharks are caught before or around this age, they haven’t had much, if any, chance to reproduce.
- Small number of offspring: There are only 1-10 pups per litter. In comparison with most other fish, this is an extremely low number. Many other fish produce thousands of eggs per year, every year. Because sharks reproduce in such small numbers, their populations can easily be depleted.
- Long gestation (pregnancy) period: Lengthy gestation periods of 8-18 months further restricts the amount of offspring that sharks can produce.
2) Market demand
Although shark meat is consumed around the world, commercial shark fisheries worldwide primarily target sharks to supply fins to Asian markets. The demand for shark fins is driven by the popularity of sharkfin soup in Asia, where it is considered a delicacy and a status symbol. It is estimated that between 23-73 million sharks are killed each year to supply this demand. It is also believed that this level of fishing is near or above a level that is damaging to certain shark species populations.
3) Role in the ocean ecosystem
Sharks are generally at the top of the food chain, therefore they are known as apex predators. When you remove one species from the food chain, particularly apex predators, it can impact the populations of other species. For example, if an apex predator declines in numbers, then the species they feed on would be more plentiful, which would in turn make the species that they feed on less plentiful. Foodweb inter-relationships such as this indicate how the removal of sharks can significantly impact ocean ecosystems.
Where are sharks found?
Sharks are found throughout the world’s oceans in shallow and deep water, near coastlines and in the open ocean. Giant/Martins has traditionally sold shark from the U.S. and Canada.
How are sharks caught?
Fishermen try to catch sharks mainly by using longline and gillnet fishing gear. Longlines and gillnets can catch fish throughout the water column, depending on where they are placed. A typical longline includes a long fishing line with baited hooks dangling every few feet. A gillnet is basically a wall of netting in the water that fish swim into and become entangled. Fishermen fishing for other species, such as swordfish and tuna, sometimes catch and kill sharks accidentally. This is known as bycatch. Bycatch of sharks can be as much, or more, of a problem to shark populations than fishermen that try to catch sharks.
Are you not selling shark because of shark finning?
Not specifically, but shark finning is part of the reason many shark populations are currently in trouble. Shark finning is the practice of removing and only keeping the fins of the shark, while throwing the rest of the shark back into the ocean. In many cases, the fins are so much more valuable that the meat ($30 per pound for fins compared to $0.30 per lb. for meat, in some cases) that fishermen will decide to just keep the fins in order to save valuable storage space on the boat. Shark finning is prohibited by law in the U.S. and in many other countries, but does occur in countries and areas of the ocean where laws are not applied or enforced.
So, the U.S. has laws protecting sharks? Why don’t you just buy shark from there?
True, the U.S. has fairly extensive laws protecting shark populations, but we feel that the overall risk to shark populations is too great to continue selling it at this time. Some of the species we have sold in the past (porbeagle and shortfin mako) migrate throughout the world’s oceans and, once they leave U.S. waters, they are no longer protected by U.S. regulations. Blacktip sharks are caught in U.S. fisheries that catch overfished sharks like the sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus) shark and protected species like the dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), which may have detrimental effects on these populations as well.
I really like shark. Can you suggest any substitutes?
It is difficult to find seafood alternatives that have a similar texture as shark, but mahi mahi can be used as a substitute with a similar flavor. Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is on the opposite end of the scale biologically when compared to sharks, as they have short lifespans, grow and reach maturity quickly, and have a lot of offspring. These biological features help mahi mahi tolerate fishing pressure much better than sharks, therefore making it a better choice for the environment.
Are there any other reasons why you don’t sell shark anymore?
Currently, there is a lot of uncertainty on the number of sharks that are killed by commercial fishing each year and how that impacts the ocean ecosystem. This, along with many reports of severely depleted populations, raises red flags regarding their future. Therefore, Giant/Martins feels that at this time, avoiding shark is the best way they can contribute to the conservation of these
