September 25, 2012 — Despite the dismal news lately that New England’s sacred cod and beloved flounder populations are plummeting, there are still plenty of fish in the sea. They just may not be the fish you are used to eating.
Now, Bon Appetit, a California-based food service company that caters to corporations, universities and specialty venues – including MIT, Emmanuel and Wesleyan – has declared today Eat (Local) Fish Challenge Day to introduce diners in the 500 cafes they run in 32 states to local – and sustainable – “wallflower” fish. The company’s ethos revolves around fresh, local and sustainable food and fish is their latest effort to introduce diners to new flavors and as take pressure off overfished species.
“It makes no sense to fly in fresh fish trawled from Asia when you can get halibut caught sustainably by someone whose tax dollars keep your town running,’’ said Helene York, director of purchasing strategy for Bon Appetit and head of the local fish program.
The idea is a good one – and one that needs a boost. Industry and government have tried for years, with various levels of success, to interest the public in less than beloved species. Sometimes the effort is so successful, the “underutilized” species are fished out before catch regulations catch up.
Lately, fishermen are trying to better market New England dogfish. (a species that is not overfished). Meat from the fish are sent overseas to be used in British fish and chips but is rarely eaten here.
Read the full story at the Boston Globe