There is controversy brewing in the world’s fish markets. Japanese scientists predict that within the next decade, they will have bred a new ‘super tuna’ that will be stronger, more resistant to disease and taste better than the blue fin tuna presently in the oceans.
Their motivation is that stocks of tuna have experienced a global decline. Some researchers estimate that the tuna population has declined by as much as 90 percent in some waters despite fishing restrictions and decreased quotas. Nine of the 23 tuna species are officially listed as under threat from overfishing, with the global annual catch of tuna at around 4.5 million tons.
In addition, the World Wildlife Fund has warned that the Atlantic blue fin will be completely wiped out within three years unless extreme measures are taken to protect the species.
Japan’s Fisheries Research Agency teamed up with both the University of Tokyo and Kyushu University to complete the genome sequence of the blue fin tuna. The ‘super tuna’ would be raised in farms to meet surging demand around the world for the traditional Japanese delicacy.
And the controversy grows.
The blue fin tuna is considered an endangered species and restaurants continue to serve it because of its popularity as sushi and sashimi.
Recently, celebrities including Sting and Elle Macpherson signed a letter to Japanese chef Nobu, operator of the popular ‘Nobu’ restaurant – vowing to boycott the restaurant if they continue to serve the endangered fish. The restaurant is part owned by actor Robert De Niro.
“It is astounding lunacy to serve up endangered species for sushi,” wrote Stephen Fry. “There is no justification for peddling extinction, yet that is exactly what Nobu is doing in restaurants around the world.”
Discussions are presently under way for ideas on how to protect tuna species, with environmental groups demanding even tougher quotas and the European Union proposing reducing tuna fleets.
Questions remain.
Can we really create a ‘super tuna’ with good conscience? Are we playing God? Messing with Mother Nature? Saving one species from extinction by creating another? What are the long term affects of introducing a ‘super tuna’ into our diets?
Only time will tell.
SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/5720201/Japanese-scientists-to-breed-super-tuna.html
SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6057576.stm