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Sake Bombshell: Popular Sushi Fish Near Extinction

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Dec 18, 2007 12:36 pm US/Eastern

Sake Bombshell: Popular Sushi Fish Near Extinction

Global Love Of Bluefin Tuna Causing Major Decline In Population

Reporting
Dana Tyler
NEW YORK (CBS) ― This one may be hard to swallow for New Yorkers, especially.

A sushi bar favorite may soon be disappearing. That's because the bluefin tuna, a staple of Japanese sushi, is being loved to extinction -- one roll at a time.

"We really have a chance of totally losing this fish from the planet," said Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch of the Pew Institute for Ocean Science.

Pikitch says international fishing quotas designed to protect the bluefin are too weak and difficult to enforce, and with over-fishing comes overpricing.

Merchants at Tokyo's central fish market say the bluefin supply is one-third what it was in the past. Some of the tuna -- flash frozen at sea and brought to market -- sell for $14,000 a piece.

The demand for sushi is global, with Americans, Europeans, and Chinese all digging in, making the cold fish a favorite hot commodity.

Sushi lovers can soon expect to see less bluefin tuna on the menu, and what they do see will likely be a little harder on the wallet.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.