Thursday, August 15, 2013

15/08/13: DNA tests confirm declining species in UK supermarkets; Cooke defends feed strategy

DNA testing by researchers at the University of Salford has found that supermarket skate and ray wings are being taken from declining species – despite being labelled as from more sustainable stocks.

In a blow to consumers who want to eat fish from sustainable sources, the most common species found on sale by Dr Andrew Griffiths from the School of Environment & Life Sciences was the blonde ray, which is bottom of the Marine Conservation Society’s sustainability rating.
Species sold as skate are difficult to identify as the body is cut from the fish before being sold to retailers.

However, using a technique known as DNA Barcoding, the researchers were able to quickly and cheaply pinpoint the identity of the fish.

Cooke Aquaculture has defended its feeding strategy in Jordan Bay near Shelburne, Canada after anti open-pen group, Mayday Jordan Bay raised concerns over feeding changes.

The group emailed Fisheries and Aquaculture Department veterinarian Amanda Swim saying feeding at been stopped at one site and there had been some mortalities.

Speaking from Trondheim, Norway, Cooke Aquaculture spokesperson Nell Halse said, “It’s purely a case of people who don’t understand our business”.
 
Halse explained that the farms were changing the feed they use as the salmon mature and that the number of mortalities was within normal levels.

“In the early stages, we use moist feed. We’re switching to dry feed. Both sites are being fed normally," said Halse.
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Grilled Skate
Grilled Skate (Photo credit: ralph and jenny)


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