There's been a lot of ink spilled over the fate of the bluefin tuna recently—the hugely endangered fish is considered a delicacy by sushi enthusiasts, despite dire warnings from conservationists—just last week, a 600-lb bluefin caught near Japan sold for the world-record price of $736,000, or $1,238 per pound. But there is a possible alternative: Kindai bluefin, a somewhat more sustainable version of the prized fish, developed and "ranched" by Japan's Kinki University. It can be even more expensive than the real thing, and only a handful get flown to the US every week. more ›

Greenpeace has gone and gotten itself in a legal tiff with "Big Tuna," specifically the companies behind Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea and Starkist tunas. At issue? A short video the environmental organization made to try and teach people about the dangers of the tuna industry starring a pantsless Bumblebee, a cackling, smoking Chicken of the Sea Mermaid and a very depressed Charlie the Tuna. Naturally, the tuna companies are claiming trademark infringement and want the video down posthaste, but Greenpeace thinks that's hogwash (and likes the attention). more ›

It's an American tale that never gets old: man makes bad decision. Man suffers consequences of said decision. Man sues. In this latest telling, a 48-year-old BMW salesman from Westchester is suing Bumblebee tuna and his local Stop & Shop for his 10 can a week tuna habit, saying it left him with mercury poisoning. "There was tuna in my diet every day, just about," Lee Porrazzo told the Post. "I thought it was the cleanest source of protein." Hopefully he wasn't planning on doing theater any time soon. more ›

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 ›

Jodi Applegate and Ron Corning, co-hosts of Fox's Good Day New York, both claim to be serious foodies, and it was a toss-up as to which one would have the chance to share their favorite recipe with Gothamist. But New York Magazine went through Ron Corning's daily diet last month, and Jodi Applegate wanted to unveil her favorite recipe for Tuna Surprise here today. more ›

Hold onto your chopsticks; the Times recently commissioned a toxicology report on sushi from 13 local establishments and got back some rather unappetizing results:

More than half of the restaurants and stores surveyed sold sushi with so much mercury that eating just six pieces a week would exceed the amount the EPA says can be safely consumed by an adult of average weight, which the agency defines as 154 pounds, 70 kilograms. People weighing less are advised to consume even less mercury. more ›