Feds Charge Calif. Whale Sushi Joint

The Hump accused of selling endangered species product

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 10, 2010 8:12 PM CST

(AP) – Federal prosecutors filed charges today against the owner of a California restaurant and its sushi chef that marine mammal activists say served illegal whale meat. Typhoon Restaurant Inc., which owns The Hump restaurant in Santa Monica, and Kiyoshiro Yamamoto were charged with illegally selling an endangered species product, a misdemeanor.

Two undercover diners requested whale as part of an $600 omakase or chef's choice, meal. The young women were working with the producers of the Oscar-winning documentary, The Cove, to record the whole meal. They pocketed a sample, and genetic testing confirmed that it was meat from the endangered Sei whale. If convicted, Yamamoto could face a year in prison and a fine of $100,000. The company could be fined $200,000.

An unidentified woman opens the door at the entrance of the Hump Restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif., today. (AP Photo)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 19 comments

curious1111

Mar 21, 2010 3:31 AM CDT

I'm Japanese. The news is surprising, because I've never heard Sushi restaurant served whale meat.
I can say that 99% Sushi restaurantsin Japan don't serve whale meat, because it's not delicious for Sushi. Japanese cook whale meat differently.
I'm middle 30, and went hundreds of Sushi restaurants in Japan. But, I've never seen Sushi restaurant serving whale meat.

The chef is an American. Why American media bushing Japan?

US Chef Charged With Serving Whale Meat
http://www.redorbit.com/news/s...

Jes

Mar 11, 2010 3:33 PM CST

Holy shit, why didn't they ask me to go undercover?! Damn, I wish I had $600 to drop on omakase. And I'm just curious... They pocketed a sample, so that was a little off the plate, but you know there was no way to request it and send it back. One of them ate whale.

northeast

Mar 11, 2010 4:27 AM CST

I don't see anything wrong with hunting animals for food....just not the ENDANGERED ONES.

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Feds Charge Calif. Whale Sushi Joint

The Hump accused of selling endangered species product

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Outrage at foreign preferences just 'gastronomic nationalism'

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The Hump calls it 'self-imposed punishment'

Cove Oscar Winners Stage Sting at LA Sushi Joint

Filmmakers go undercover to find illegal whale meat

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Big Cat was attacking their sheep

Patriots Mascot Busted With Hooker*

*Well, one of the guys inside the costume, anyway

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Feds Charge Calif. Whale Sushi Joint

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

endangered species • crime • sting operations • The Cove • whale meat • whale sushi • The Hump • Kiyoshiro Yamamoto

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Uproar Over Whale Sushi Just Ridiculous

Outrage at foreign preferences just 'gastronomic nationalism'

Sushi Bar Caught With Whale Meat Is Closing

The Hump calls it 'self-imposed punishment'

Cove Oscar Winners Stage Sting at LA Sushi Joint

Filmmakers go undercover to find illegal whale meat

Chinese Duo Get 10 Years for Stoning Snow Leopard

Big Cat was attacking their sheep

Patriots Mascot Busted With Hooker*

*Well, one of the guys inside the costume, anyway

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Newser By Users

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