The Gem Tang Specials

[zchauvin]

More than likely cyanide. According to nat geo as of 08, 90% of fish were caught using cyanide. It paralysis the fish.

 

[tj w]

My best guess is using cyanide. That's what I gathered

 

[saltyhog]

That's what I thought was being suggested. I can see how you get away with that with fish that retail for $50 but how do you get away with that with fish that cost hundreds of dollars wholesale? The fish are going to have a dismal survival rate and retailers are not going to continue to put up with that are they?

 

[Baldguy]

Fwiw, RVS's website says they use cyanide-free, net-caught fishing. They are active advocates of only using net-caught fish in their home country of the Philippines. Not sure it it's fair to assume they use cyanide.

 

[tj w]

Fwiw, RVS's website says they use cyanide-free, net-caught fishing. They are active advocates of only using net-caught fish in their home country of the Philippines. Not sure it it's fair to assume they use cyanide.

I agree, that's why I asked reefers direct if that was a fact they quoted.

 

[Clayalaleona]

FWIW no exporter will ever admit to the collection of fish using cyanide or any other chemical. It would devastate their business. On paper hand catching with nets sounds pretty but the reality is that given the option I'm sure some places might cut corners. Not only that but we only see what they want us to see as far as collection and handling practices.
When I worked wholesale we got one shipment from Africa that was so bad we had to nuke an entire 1000 gallon system and start it all over to get rid of whatever "funk" it brought in...
I will always be skeptical of places with lax enforcement of collection regulations.
RVS is opening in Cuba as well and there's little to no regulation (enforced) there too... maybe there is a pattern here?

 

[eatbreakfast]

FWIW no exporter will ever admit to the collection of fish using cyanide or any other chemical. It would devastate their business. On paper hand catching with nets sounds pretty but the reality is that given the option I'm sure some places might cut corners. Not only that but we only see what they want us to see as far as collection and handling practices.
When I worked wholesale we got one shipment from Africa that was so bad we had to nuke an entire 1000 gallon system and start it all over to get rid of whatever "funk" it brought in...
I will always be skeptical of places with lax enforcement of collection regulations.
RVS is opening in Cuba as well and there's little to no regulation (enforced) there too... maybe there is a pattern here?

Cyanide catching certainly happens in some places with some fish, but Zebrassoma tangs swim in huge schools and are caught by large, tall, seine nets, not chemicals.

From the shipment that brought in 'funk', cyanide would not be the cause of that.

Perhaps there is little regulation in Cuba, but there are also some very desireable endemics that fetch big prices, with very few collectors, that's the pattern I see.

 

[tj w]

I just dont understand why one company would question in public another's source for the fish and how it was collected. I for one am glad to see the price come down of these beautiful fish.

 

[zchauvin]

I just dont understand why one company would question in public another's source for the fish and how it was collected. I for one am glad to see the price come down of these beautiful fish.

They probably forgot about the rule that says anything you think or say has to be behind closed doors and kept quiet.

 

[Mark Gray]

Gem tang prices have dropped, but it will never be a 'cheap' fish simply because transport stateside requires at minimum 2 flights, sometimes more.

Back years ago about 75% of the fish available took at least 3 day travel and some times up to 5 day things have improved a lot with shipping you used to have to basically buy your fish a seat on the plane lol

 

[Mark Gray]

I'll try and pull that article again, like in all places there are some bad apples that use "different" collection techniques to catch fast swimming fish. I had one experience horrible enough to make me swear off bringing any fish direct from that region.

It is, they had lots of them available recently. IMO we'll see restrictions placed on their collection in Madagascar soon as well if they care about their reefs. I just think they are currently not regulated and therefore collection of them is booming.

I remember back years ago most of the fish from the Philippines were caught with cyanide some survived some did not