Did You Know?

1-What kind of fishing rod do you use when you are ‘noodling?’
Show answer
Answer: Trick question! Noodling is a term that can be applied to all hand fishing methods, but is primarily used to describe fishing for flathead catfish. A fisher places their arm inside a catfish hole and waits for the fish to bite onto their hand. The noodler then hooks their hand around through the fish’s gills and pulls it out of the water. Source: National Geographic
2-Which of these products DOES NOT contain seafood?
- A) Vitamins
- B) Cat food
- C) Pen ink
- D) Cough syrup
Answer: C – Pen ink
The next time you are at the grocery store take a closer look at the labels on your favourite products. You’ll be surprise how many contain seafood – from omega 3 to fish oil. All these products are under review as part of Loblaw’s sustainable seafood commitment and by year-end 2013, we will sustainably source seafood found in all our products. Source: National Geographic
3-Can you guess which is the largest species of fish?
- A) Swordfish
- B) Bluefin Tuna
- C) Whale Shark
- D) Basking Shark
Answer: C – Whale Shark
The Whale Shark, scientifically known as Rhincodon typus, is generally considered to be the largest species of fish in the world, reaching lengths of 12 meters (40 feet) and weighing an average of 15 tons! That is about the size of a school bus and more than double the average weight of the African Bush Elephant. Blue whales are much larger, but they are mammals, not fish! Source: National Geographic Online
4-Globally, illegal and unreported fishing industries are estimated to have an annual value of:
- A) $58 million USD
- B) $89 million USD
- C) $8 billion USD
- D) $25 billion USD
Answer: D - $25 billion USD
The documentary The End of the Line reports that $25 billion USD a year is made from illegal and unreported fishing practices. Illegal fishing is a serious problem, damaging marine environments, livelihoods and fishing communities around the world. This is why it’s so important to know where your seafood comes from. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) explains how traceability is a hot topic because the complex, international supply chain for most seafood products makes it difficult to find high quality information about the fish source. MSC ensures their label is only displayed on seafood from a MSC-certified sustainable fishery through a strict Chain of Custody standard for seafood traceability. Source: The End of the Line and MSC online
5-The hagfish, commonly described as the most disgusting of all sea creatures, uses what skill as a defence mechanism against predators?
- A) It secretes slime
- B) It exudes a pungent smell
- C) It takes in water until it is too large for its predators mouth
- D) It shoots sharp spines, similar to a blowfish
Answer: A – It secretes slime
When under attack a hagfish exudes a thick layer of slime around its body. If a predator swallows the slime, fibres in the goo will expand, slowly asphyxiating the would-be attacker. In order for the hagfish itself to escape, it can tie itself in a knot and then pass the knot down the length of its body to wipe the slime away. Source: www.seasky.org/deep-sea/atlantic-hagfish.html
6-What ocean provides the majority of the world’s seafood?
- A) Atlantic
- B) Indian
- C) Pacific
- D) Arctic
- E) Southern
Answer: C – Pacific
Oceans occupy 71 % of the Earth's surface, with the Pacific Ocean making up 46 % of that. It covers a total of 155.557 million sq km, which is larger than the Earth’s total land mass. About 70 % of the world catch from the sea comes from the Pacific Ocean. According to World Wildlife Fund, the global fishing fleets are 250 % larger than the oceans can sustainably support. Source: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zn.html
7-The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are promoting the consumption of what species of fish as a method of controlling their population?
- A) Marlin
- B) Halibut
- C) Lionfish
- D) Dogfish
Answer: C – Lionfish
This invasive species is threatening to overtake reefs in the Caribbean, and scientists believe they’re responsible for an 80% reduction in survival of small reef fish. Researchers believe that lionfish were released into Biscayne Bay, Florida, when an aquarium was ruptured during a hurricane in 1992. Genetic research shows the entire Caribbean population stems from just six individuals! Source : www1.voanews.com/english/news/usa/Eat-to-Beat-Invasive-Lionfish-98332004.html
8-How long have fish been on the planet?
- A) 10 million years
- B) 250 million years
- C) 450 million years
- D) 1.1 billion years
Answer: C – 450 million years
Fish first arose about 450 million years ago and since then have diversified to a remarkable extent. There are over 25,000 identified species of fish on the earth, and it is estimated that there may still be over 15,000 fish species that have not yet been identified. In 2005, the Census of Marine Life reported that sea fish species were being logged at an average rate of three per week. Source: www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Specials/20031024/fish_census031023/
9-What species of fish did popular Food Network program Iron Chef America, recently ban from the show?
- A) Chilean Sea Bass
- B) Bluefin Tuna
- C) Orange Roughy
- D) Atlantic Cod
Answer: B – Bluefin Tuna
Alton Brown, the host of Iron Chef America and a vocal advocate for seafood sustainability, was called out by foodie Richard Auffrey after Chef Makoto Okuwa served a dish using otoro, or tuna belly, on the show. Brown clarified that it was not bluefin tuna used, but has seen to it that the fish has been officially banned from the Iron Chef kitchen. According to World Wildlife Fund, bluefin tuna is threatened by extinction due to severe overfishing. Source: passionatefoodie.blogspot.com/2010/07/rant-alton-brown-i-call-you-out.html
10-Take a guess – in 2008, how many kilograms of seafood was consumed per person?
- A) 7 kg
- B) 1 kg
- C) 48 kg
- D) 17 kg
Answer: D – 17 kg
According to a report by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 17 kilograms of seafood was consumed per capita in 2008 and global seafood consumption reached 143 million metric tons! This report was released for the 12th Fish and Seafood Trade summit held in Argentina this April. More than 60 countries met to discuss issues affecting the USD 102 billion global seafood trade, including market access, traceability, certification, eco-labeling and food security. Source: www.seafoodsource.com/newsarticledetail.aspx?id=4294990550
11-True or False: Jellyfish can sting you even after they die?
Show answer
Answer: True
Jellyfish can retain their ability to sting after they die! Beach-goers in New Hampshire learned the hard way after a dead lion’s mane jellyfish broke apart as a life guard tried to remove it from the water. Stinging capsules and detached tentacles were spread throughout the water resulting in 150 people feeling the burn! Source: www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/us/23jelly.html
12-The viscera (inner organs) of a Japanese abalone, a small type of shellfish, can become poisonous when exposed to ______
- A) Fresh water
- B) Sunlight
- C) A protein found in algae
- D) A predator
Answer: B – Sunlight
Japanese abalone, also known as "sea ears," live in the rocky reefs of the Western Pacific. The viscera of the Japanese abalone can contain a poisonous substance which causes a quick and sudden burning, stinging and itching over the entire body. This poison does not manifest itself until exposure to sunlight, and is safe if eaten inside or in the shade. Source: www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/06/27/2286916.htm
13-Which of these species is not one of Canada’s most valuable seafood exports?
- A) Ocean Perch
- B) Lobster
- C) Crab (Snow/ Queen)
- D) Salmon
- E) Shrimp / Prawns
- F) Herring
Answer: A – Ocean Perch
Lobster, crab, salmon, shrimp, and herring account for 49 per cent of all fish and seafood exports by volume and 63 per cent of the value. Canada is the seventh largest seafood exporter in the world, exporting more than 670 thousand tonnes of fish and seafood in 2007. Lobster was the number one export - approaching a value of $1 billion dollars! Source: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/back-fiche/2009/hq-ac05a-eng.htm
14-According to the WWF, one of the most urgent threats to remaining fish stocks is commercial fishing and its inadvertent capture of non-target species, referred to as bycatch. Because bycatch captures unwanted fish and other marine life it’s thrown back to sea dead or dying. Globally, what percentage of fish caught is thrown back as bycatch?
- A) 25%
- B) 50%
- C) 15%
- D) 5%
Answer: A – 25%
Every year, more than 30 million tonnes of sea life are caught as bycatch – including turtles on hooks, juvenile fish, dolphins in nets and everything living on the seafloor that was caught in trawl and dredge gear. Source: assets.panda.org/downloads/bycatch_paper.pdf
15-What percentage of the world’s oceans is designated as marine protected areas?
- A) 0.01%
- B) 0.6%
- C) 1.2%
- D) 4%
Answer: B – 0.6%
There are about 4,000 marine reserves of different sizes in the world, accounting for only 0.6 per cent of the world’s oceans area – compared to the 13 per cent of protected land area. Marine protected areas and marine reserves are seen as one of the best solutions to safeguard the ocean’s rich diversity of life and provide safe havens for endangered species, as well as commercial fish populations. Read more about Canada’s marine protected areas at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/marineareas-zonesmarines/mpa-zpm/index-eng.htm
16-Did you know that, according to the documentary The End of the Line, the global long-lining industry sets 1.4 billion hooks every year? It’s estimated this line can circle the globe more than 550 times!
Show answer
Answer: Long-line is a commercial fishing technique where a main line is set behind the fishing boat. Hundreds to thousands of baited hooks are attached to the main line at intervals – resulting in bycatch, the capture of non-targeted marine life. Source: endoftheline.com/
17-What Canadian province exports the most seafood?
- A) British Columbia
- B) Nova Scotia
- C) Newfoundland and Labrador
- D) New Brunswick
Answer: A – British Columbia (B.C.)
B.C. has lead as Canada’s top seafood exporter since 2008. In 2009, B.C. exported 162,834 tonnes of fish and seafood, valued at $882.8 million. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador were a close second. And while Newfoundland exported more in volume of seafood, they earned $81.2 million less than Nova Scotia because of the province’s lucrative lobster industry. Source: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/back-fiche/2009/hq-ac05a-eng.htm
18-Canada has one of the world's most valuable commercial fishing industries, worth more than:
- A) CDN $650 million a year
- B) CDN $800 million a year
- C) CDN $1 billion a year
- D) CDN $5 billion a year
Answer: D – CDN $5 billion a year
At 244,000 kilometres, Canada represents 25% of the entire world’s coastline. Canada also has hundreds of different fisheries for a wide variety of species that result in more than 130,000 jobs to Canadians, and is the economic mainstay of approximately 1,500 communities – yet another reason why it is so important that we embrace sustainable fishing practices. And of the $5 billion the Canadian fishing industry is worth, approximately 80% is exported. Source: www.ats.agr.gc.ca/sea-mer/ind-eng.htm
19-When was a moratorium issued on the Canadian Atlantic cod harvest?
- A) 1979
- B) 1988
- C) 1992
- D) 2001
Answer: C – 1992
In July 1992, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans John Crosbie placed a moratorium on harvesting Canadian Atlantic cod, putting 30,000 Newfoundlanders out of work. By 1993, all Canadian cod fishing was banned. In 2007 it was estimated that offshore cod stocks were at 1% of what they were in 1977. However the debate still continues when earlier this year the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) reviewed the status of Atlantic Cod, and listed it as endangered. Source: www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct6/index_e.cfm

Did You Know?

1-What kind of fishing rod do you use when you are ‘noodling?’

2-Which of these products DOES NOT contain seafood?

3-Can you guess which is the largest species of fish?

4-Globally, illegal and unreported fishing industries are estimated to have an annual value of:

5-The hagfish, commonly described as the most disgusting of all sea creatures, uses what skill as a defence mechanism against predators?

6-What ocean provides the majority of the world’s seafood?

7-The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are promoting the consumption of what species of fish as a method of controlling their population?

8-How long have fish been on the planet?

9-What species of fish did popular Food Network program Iron Chef America, recently ban from the show?

10-Take a guess – in 2008, how many kilograms of seafood was consumed per person?

11-True or False: Jellyfish can sting you even after they die?

12-The viscera (inner organs) of a Japanese abalone, a small type of shellfish, can become poisonous when exposed to ______

13-Which of these species is not one of Canada’s most valuable seafood exports?

15-What percentage of the world’s oceans is designated as marine protected areas?

16-Did you know that, according to the documentary The End of the Line, the global long-lining industry sets 1.4 billion hooks every year? It’s estimated this line can circle the globe more than 550 times!

17-What Canadian province exports the most seafood?

18-Canada has one of the world's most valuable commercial fishing industries, worth more than:

19-When was a moratorium issued on the Canadian Atlantic cod harvest?

Having fish for dinner tonight?

WWF Canada

Having fish
for dinner
tonight?