Frozen food prices

[ShadowStryder]

Remember also that the source of the shrimp, tilapia, etc. is important.

Shrimp and tilapia farmed in Asia and Central America are frequently farmed in less safe and clean conditions than in the US:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Consumers should "Avoid" imported farmed shrimp unless they can be certain that the shrimp is from farms in Thailand that use fully recirculating systems, which are a "Good Alternative." U.S. shrimp farms are subject to more stringent environmental laws, making these shrimp a "Good Alternative."

In the U.S., most tilapia is farmed in closed inland systems that guard against escapes and pollution.

Matt

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-pig-feces-approved-for-u-dot-s-dot-consumers

The problem which I just heard recently on the subject of frozen fish/seafoods is that 90% are imported. Can't go to a local supermarket around here and find good ole US caught or farmed fish. I have checked on US farmed shrimp ordered from southern farms in US but the prices are just rediculous to even consider when you are feeding large predatory fish and rays.

 

[dogofwar]

There is a Country of Origin Labeling rule in the US that allows you to know where seafood comes from.

http://www.thefreshmarket.com/Departments/seafood_cool.html

Very little of the seafood that comes to the US from overseas is inspected: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fda-weak-on-imported-seafood-inspection-report-2011-05-16

About half of the seafood the U.S. imports comes from foreign fish farms, and the fish grown there are prone to bacterial infections that are often treated with antibiotics and other drugs not approved in the U.S., the U.S. Government Accountability Office, or GAO, said in the report.

"The residues of some drugs can cause cancer and antibiotic resistance," the GAO said.

The piece of mind is worth a little more $ for me! But I guess a long as lots of people are willing to consume seafood farmed in filth, then it will be a market for it here...

As an aside, I culture my own red wiggler worms, which are as close to perfectly safe / disease free as you can get for feeding fish. I culture enough for a 50+ tank fishroom in an 18g rubbermaid.

Matt

The problem which I just heard recently on the subject of frozen fish/seafoods is that 90% are imported. Can't go to a local supermarket around here and find good ole US caught or farmed fish. I have checked on US farmed shrimp ordered from farms in US but the prices are just rediculous to even consider when you are feeding large predatory fish and rays.

 

[ShadowStryder]

There is a Country of Origin Labeling rule in the US that allows you to know where seafood comes from.

http://www.thefreshmarket.com/Departments/seafood_cool.html

Very little of the seafood that comes to the US from overseas is inspected: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fda-weak-on-imported-seafood-inspection-report-2011-05-16

About half of the seafood the U.S. imports comes from foreign fish farms, and the fish grown there are prone to bacterial infections that are often treated with antibiotics and other drugs not approved in the U.S., the U.S. Government Accountability Office, or GAO, said in the report.

"The residues of some drugs can cause cancer and antibiotic resistance," the GAO said.

The piece of mind is worth a little more $ for me! But I guess a long as lots of people are willing to consume seafood farmed in filth, then it will be a market for it here...

As an aside, I culture my own red wiggler worms, which are as close to perfectly safe / disease free as you can get for feeding fish. I culture enough for a 50+ tank fishroom in an 18g rubbermaid.

Matt

I agree with and acknowledge what you say. I am informed about the large use of antibiotics on the Thailand and China based farming ponds. I know the bags have the country of origin on them, thus how I know that there is never any sold anywhere around me from the US at least frozen. As for as fresh the attendants behind the fresh seafood counters can't guarantee what type of fish they are selling much less country of origin. And as for as the shrimp, they just open frozen bags and put them in the bins. So even then you aren't getting wild caught or US farmed shrimp.
The only US based farm raised fish sold locally is catfish. Shrimp and Tilapia cost 12+ bucks a pound to have it shipped to me. Believe me, I did it for a while and its just not feasible as the rays get larger. Lots of $ when feeding large rays. If you live in the southern US you can visit the farms and buy directly from them which would be ideal.
My understanding is that most fresh caught shrimp and US farm raised shrimp is sold to restaurants and large restaurant chains. I could be miss informed but I know every package of frozen shrimp or Tilapia I check is imported.

I have seen your post before on your red wiggler farming. I have checked into doing a large bed for earth worms. They are HUGE here, at least 7-10 inches and up to 1/2" but never got around to setting it up.