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Can Fish-Hungry Japan Go Sustainable?

Slowly, world's sushi capital seeing more eco-friendly seafood in supermarkets

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2008 7:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Japan loves its fish: The island nation consumes an average of 147 pounds per person a year, compared to America’s 17. So, Samuel Fromartz wonders in Gourmet, how can Japanese fisheries continue to support supermarket fish counters as large as an entire US meat section? The answer, slowly gaining ground, is sustainable fishing, and retailers’ desire to have an eco-friendly stamp.

Some 20% of fish imports are now certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which opened its Tokyo office just last year—no mean feat in a country that reveres (as food) the threatened bluefin tuna, and considers whale meat a delicacy. Still, holdouts persist in Japan's upper culinary echelons. “I’m sure there is a chef out there,” one expert said. “I just don’t know of any.”

Greenpeace activists protesting next to the Albatun Tres, which the group claims is the world's largest tuna fishing vessel.
Greenpeace activists protesting next to the Albatun Tres, which the group claims is the world's largest tuna fishing vessel.   (AP Photo)
A plate of tuna sushi at a sushi stand in Tokyo.
A plate of tuna sushi at a sushi stand in Tokyo.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
A shopper has a closer look at tuna heads in front of a fishmonger in Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market.
A shopper has a closer look at tuna heads in front of a fishmonger in Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
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