Please pass this along to restaurant reviewer Liz Reich: Enjoy that pricey Patagonia Toothfish while you can. That’s the real name of that endangered “Chilean sea bass” you raved about, renamed exclusively for marketing purposes by upscale fishmonger Lee Lantz because he knew he could charge a lot more money for it that way.
Most of these fish are illegally poached by pirates and are headed toward extinction. You might want to read “Hooked: Pirates, Poaching and the Perfect Fish” by G. Bruce Knecht – or maybe not, since it might make you look up from your plate.
– Michael Funke, Bend
This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2011.
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Thanks for clearing up the story on the “Chilean sea bass”. I am sure Mr Funke will be happy to know that the Super Walmart in Redmond DOES NOT stock Chilean sea bass in its frozen seafood section!
That made me laugh, and yes, actually, I am happy to know that. I’d be even happier if they’d pay their workers a decent wage, provide decent benefits, and stop buying all that crap made by children in China. So, no, I won’t be driving from Bend to shop WM.
Thank you Michael, for bothering to enlighten the food critics who go around devouring animals – from tortured farm animals to the endangered – and then glow with pride in print. Never a hint of shame nor connection to the face on their plate.
“That made me laugh, and yes, actually, I am happy to know that. I’d be even happier if they’d pay their workers a decent wage, provide decent benefits, and stop buying all that crap made by children in China. So, no, I won’t be driving from Bend to shop WM.”
They are willingly working for the wages and benefits they receive. The anti-Walmart movement is so tired and lacking imagination, especially in tough times wherein the people of Bend could be beneifitting from the low prices Walmart offers. But thanks to Funke and his little band of professional pro union activists, we are still waiting.
Oh yeah, and Chilean sea bass is delicious.
Jon, you are welcome. Though, I do believe that a “professional” pro union activist would actually get paid for the service. Me, I volunteer when I can and rely on my Social Security and defined benefit pension plan.
Saint Consulting Group ring a bell with you? I have no doubt it does, not that you’d admit to it.