Big news for a prized but endangered fish. Hopefully, this will lead to movement to ban trade in a species that is headed for extinction. The Washington Post reports:

The U.S. government announced Wednesday that it supports prohibiting international trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna, a move that could lead to the most sweeping trade restrictions ever imposed on the highly prized fish.

Sushi aficionados in Japan and elsewhere have consumed bluefin for decades, causing the fish's population to plummet. In less than two weeks, representatives from 175 countries will convene in Doha, Qatar, to determine whether to restrict the trade of bluefin tuna — valued for its rich, buttery taste — and an array of other imperiled species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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Kona Blue Water Farms, producer of farmed yellowtail known as “Kona kampachi,” has announced that it is opening a second offshore fish farming operation—this time, in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.  The company, which operates its current facility in where humpback whales have been observed, has faced opposition from native Hawaiians for environmental reasons and failing to respect Hawaiian traditions and customs by, among other things, infringing on traditional fishing grounds and killing a shark – a sacred animal in Hawaiian culture. Kona’s operations have also faced ongoing opposition from Food & Water Watch, for a variety of environmental and social concerns. Could it be that the company is setting up shop in Mexico to escape the constant voices of U.S. opposition?

Kona Blue says that it is opening the facility in Mexico because it wants to reduce its food miles – the distance the food travels before it is consumed – and therefore, its carbon footprint. Accordingly, the planned location in the Sea of Cortez is closer to the U.S. mainland than Hawaii is. But if the goal is to be as close as possible to the U.S. mainland, why isn’t Kona going to waters off the U.S. mainland? California state law has some fairly stringent restrictions for such operations. Is it because it will be easier to set up shop in Mexico? Are environmental and labor standards there not as strict as in the U.S.?

Proponents of offshore aquaculture argue that the industry will bring economic growth to the U.S. But offshore aquaculture can have negative effects on ecosystems and unfairly compete with regional fishermen.  And it is doubtful that Kona’s Mexico operation will create U.S. jobs. In fact, the company recently downsized its Hawaii workforce by sixteen employees, with plans to reduce the staff even further. That doesn’t make Kona a great model to use to increase domestic jobs.

We’re not sure this business decision is based on purely altruistic motives. It sounds like Kona Blue might be taking this tropical trip to avoid bother at home.

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