Saving the Patagonian Toothfish

The Patagonian Toothfish live at great depths in the far southern oceans, down to 10,000 feet. They are highly sought for food and are marketed as "Chilean Sea Bass," "Sea Bass," and "Black Hake." Growing to more than six-feet in length and weighing more than 200 pounds, they sell for $1,000 each.

With the price of toothfish so attractive, many fishermen have been lured into the business and, within the past decade, known ocean stocks have dwindled to the point of alarm. Conservation efforts have been implemented, but have proven to be ineffective due to widespread poaching.

To counter the poachers, the Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators (COLTO) was recently launched in Brussels, Belgium, with representation from ten countries, conservation organizations, and the fishing industry. COLTO is serious.

COLTO wishes to advise that if your information leads to the conviction on significant illegal fishing charges of fishermen, companies, directors or employees arising out of their illegal activities in the Patagonian toothfish fishery you could be eligible to receive $US 100,000.

The reward is an ongoing bounty offered to gain information to shut down 42 (identified so far) illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing operators. Since the estimated value of poached toothfish is between $300 to $400 million annually, the high bounty seems reasonable.

Interestingly, I have yet to see a "Save the Toothfish" sign at any of the ubiquitous leftie protest marches. Maybe they just haven't got to it yet.