Seafood Solutions, Inc., convicted in July, 2011 for intentionally mislabeling inexpensive farmed Asian catfish as more desirable wild-caught grouper, was recently sentenced in federal court. The company is to pay a $700,000 fine and make a community service donation of $300,000 to the non-profit National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
NCCOS forensic scientists genetically identified evidence in the case, enabling the Department of Justice’s prosecution of the company on mislabeling charges under the Lacey Act.
Mislabeling of fish not only defrauds consumers and undermines their ability to buy sustainable seafood, but it also undercuts honest American fishermen anddodges health inspections aimed at imported farmed fish.
For more information, see the Department of Justice’s website.