Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin have been pushed to the brink of extinction in the past half century, with stocks declining by more than 60 percent in the last decade alone. Today the Times editorial board praised President Obama for endorsing a ban on international bluefin trade, and urged the administration to "use all of its influence to get the European Union and others to follow." Two-thirds of the members must support the ban for it to pass this month, but Japan, where bluefin is "the crown jewel of sushi," is fighting back. Fisheries minister Masahiko Yamada has vowed to "lodge reservations," and many in Japan think say this is just the latest instance of "Japan-bashing." more ›

Despite its well established, over-fished status and repeated toxicological demonstrations of dangerously high mercury levels, slices of bluefin tuna are still very much highly prized on menus all over town. Last night, organization Greenpeace staged an action at Nobu in TriBeCa, where activists "dressed in blazers and billowy dresses like any other weekend-night patrons," according to the Times. Keeping with the near-extinction vibe, activists "carried make-believe menus with endangered-species dishes, like 'Rack of Mountain Gorilla Seasoned with Powdered Rhino Horn' ($32.00)." When Nobu's management figured out what was going on, the protesters simply left the restaurant; some apparently "even tipped the wait staff". One activist also claimed to the Times that others had stayed on at the restaurant for an hour more, affixing fake menus to bathroom stall doors. more ›

The Times ran a follow-up today about their investigation that found abnormally high levels of mercury in fish served at area restaurants. Toxicology reports from 44 pieces of sushi, ordered from places including Nobu Next Door and Sushi Seki, may in fact contribute to some New Yorkers’ 3 times higher-than-average blood levels of mercury. It turns out, however, that most New Yorkers just don’t care. more ›