Reddit serves as a virtual meeting place for individuals to connect and share their experiences, opinions, and concerns. Costco, America’s favorite wholesale retailer, has become a subject of frequent discussion among Reddit users. The platform provides customers with an avenue to express their views, seek advice, and raise awareness about various products sold by the company. And there’s one that sparkled the controversy in the forums.
In a recent thread posted on Reddit, user @onedollarjuana brought attention to the Kirkland Signature Wild Pacific Mahi-Mahi, specifically mentioning its sourcing from a fishery in Ecuador. The user highlighted that this particular fishery is designated as “AVOID” on the Seafood Watch website, indicating potential negative consequences for the Mahi-Mahi population in that region.
The concerns on this Cosco Kirkland fish: Is it correct to buy it?
Numerous Costco customers joining the discussion and sharing their perspectives on the conflict. One user expressed the importance of not confusing consumers regarding labeling and the state of fisheries, emphasizing the need for a simple call to action: refraining from purchasing the product in question.
According to Seafood Watch’s website, the Mahi-Mahi fish, also known as Dorado or Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is a controversial situation. The dolphinfish fishery is tangled up in a net of concern due to the catch of overfished bigeye tuna, mighty blue marlin and even at-risk sharks. Companies dealing with these tasty treasures are now required to track their imports right from the point of harvest until they make it into the American market. The warning is clear: Avoid to buy it, and find an alternative, since it could be putting into danger vulnerable species.
Costco costumers are disappointed, but why?
Some customers voiced their disappointment, claiming that Costco’s fish selection has noticeably declined in quality. Specifically, they cited the change in sourcing for the Atlantic farm-raised salmon, which was previously obtained from Norway but is now being sourced from Chile.
Moreover, they expressed concern about the predominant use of tail sections in the current product offering. The Kirkland Signature Wild Pacific Mahi-Mahi is priced at $35.99 for a 3 lb pack, equating to $12.00 per pound. Such a pricey tag for a fish that’s in the middle of a consciousness debate.
One other Reddit user wrote in the thread, urging the creator to contact the company: “Please submit the complaint to Costco HQ too so they can know about it.” We’re sure more info is to come, so we’re keeping an eye out!
What does it mean when a fishery is designated as “AVOID” on the Seafood Watch website?
According to Seafood Watch, a fishery is designated as “AVOID” when it is overfished, lacks strong management practices, or uses fishing methods that harm other marine life. For example, Pacific bluefin tuna is listed in the “AVOID” category because the population is so low. The “AVOID” category is a tool that helps customers make informed choices about the seafood they consume and encourages sustainable fishing practices.
Additionally, the EU’s common fisheries policy aims to eliminate discards and wasteful practices by encouraging fishers to fish selectively and avoid unwanted catches. When a fishery is overfished, the goal of management is to get the fishery as close as possible to the theoretical maximum sustainable yield (MSY)