The E-mail Forum
What do you think of the WWF's fish guide?
We all applaud the efforts of the WWF and the Post in publishing the recommendations list of the seafood items to avoid and those that are recommended. This should serve as a good guide for Hong Kong's seafood lovers to be more environmentally aware and help to preserve the species for future generations.
However, the placement of the leopard coral trout from Australia and the Chilean sea bass from South Georgia (Patagonian toothfish) on the 'recommended' list is unfortunate, as these species are overexploited except from those regions.
There is no foolproof way for the Hong Kong consumer to know the exact origins of what they get in the restaurant or fish market, knowing the tendencies of those in the business to make mistakes. By putting those species on the list actually may have the unfortunate effect of putting additional pressure on the species in other overexploited regions such as the leopard coral trout in Southeast Asia.
Until a responsible certification system can be introduced in Hong Kong, I would recommend that these species be placed on the 'avoid' list to protect them in the regions where they are vulnerable.
Zack Culvert, Wan Chai