Last week, a nationwide study was released that drew attention
to the amount of seafood being labeled, sold and served as a
species it is not. Out of the 1,215 samples tested by ocean
conservation group Oceana, 401 were determined to be mislabeled.
Amid the seafood sleuthing, Wayne Samiere says consumer
knowledge is power. Samiere is the founder and CEO of Honolulu
Fish Company and a trained marine biologist; he has also worked
for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
"Information about various types of seafood is not as familiar
to consumers as the basic facts about beef, chicken and pork,"
Samiere said. "Reputable seafood vendors make an effort to
educate their customers about products they are selling.
However, there are vendors who want to label their seafood
products with a name that consumers know and find appealing."
With a few easy tricks, Samiere says you can feel empowered to
avoid the old "bait and switch" problem next time you visit your
local seafood counter or restaurant. 1