New federal law targets mislabeled foreign ahi
A new federal law directs agencies to develop tests that can identify where ahi and red snapper come from, aiming to catch foreign fish sold as domestic. The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Ted Cruz, was signed Oct. 15, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology and NOAA must develop a standard method using portable test kits, covering whole fish and prepared foods such as sashimi, poke and sushi. Bigeye, yellowfin and bluefin tuna are the first tuna targeted. NIST must report to Congress on the method within two years.
The Hawaii Longline Association says the state’s fleet of roughly 150 vessels catches about 60% of U.S. yellowfin and 95% of U.S. bigeye landings. A state law requiring retailers to label the origin of yellowfin and bigeye in sashimi, poke and sushi took effect July 1.
What it means: Testing methods are still years from use, so for now the state origin-labeling law is the main protection for shoppers.
