Whole Foods Showcases Sustainable Swordfish & A “Next Iron Chef” Contestant
Through August or until supplies last, Whole Foods Markets are selling fresh, harpoon-caught Novia Scotia swordfish that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as sustainable.
Whole Foods is the only major grocery store selling the MSC-certified swordfish, which retails for $18.99 per pound.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Seafood Watch Guide” lists harpoon-caught swordfish as a “best choice.”
Instead of being caught in giant gillnets, which can be destructive to ocean habitats and capture unwanted fish, these swordfish are captured in a very primitive, time-honored method. Fishermen use harpoons to target individual, mature fish one by one. The fishing boats, many family-owned, usually return to shore within 72 hours, ensuring that swordfish arrive at stores within 48 hours.
The Canadian government also has worked to limit the fishing season to three, five-day intervals, to help maintain the swordfish population.