The celeb-favourite sushi restaurant Nobu is back in the media spotlight this week, but with column inches devoted to bluefin tuna rather than A-list diners.
Greenpeace activists give out leaflets outside Nobu protesting against the restaurant selling bluefin tuna
As Greenpeace revealed last year, Nobu, who pride themselves as market leaders and an exclusive venue, were serving up bluefin tuna as sushi.
Bluefin is an endangered species, like rhinos, tigers, or gorillas, and after it was pointed out to them last September (although the species had been on the IUCN red list of endangered species for 12 years, had they bothered to check), they gave assurances that they would do something about it.
But sadly it seems Nobu can’t be bothered. They know they are serving up endangered species, and helping to push them towards extinction, but profit comes first, right?
The irony is that Nobu’s menus for its London’s restaurants seem to be more than a little conflicted over the issue.
They actually tell you that they are selling an endangered species (although it’s not that easy to know which dishes contain what), and suggest you may want to choose an alternative, all of which begs the question, why not just take it off the menu completely?
Elsewhere they are even more brazen, in the US they happily list ‘bluefin’ and ‘bigeye’ tuna dishes on the menu. Both species are endangered.
Nobu is part-owned by actor Robert De Niro, and its restaurants are frequented by almost every celebrity you can think of, from Posh & Becks to Lewis Hamilton, and from Matt Damon to Kate Moss.
The restaurant’s image is very important to them, so you would think they would show a little concern over what they were dishing up.
Major supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer are now taking the sourcing of the seafood they sell seriously, while other restaurateurs like Gordon Ramsay, Itsu, and Tom Aikens are all eschewing bluefin – so what on earth are Nobu playing at? Its discerning A-list diners should be up in arms.
With Nobu’s high-profile hypocrisy getting a starring role in The End Of The Line which premieres in the UK next month, even more eyes will be fixed on Nobu to do the sensible thing and take bluefin off the menu completely.
Last year Nobu’s partner Richie Notar told us he thought Nobu could be leading the way on sustainability, and wanted to find a way forward on this issue.
So Richie, and Mr De Niro, we’re waiting . . . the ball’s been in your court for quite a while now.
This article first appeared on the Greenpeace UK website.
- Willie MacKenzie is part of the Oceans Campaign for Greenpeace UK
You also have children. What will they respect you for in the future?
Brilliant Post. When the last fish has been eaten then…we shall eat our hats!
C’mon Robert, you have always inspired people from your film roles, give some inspiration to the world and your public by not endorsing the sale of fish which are critically endangered or are sourced in an environmentally destructive method
The fishes: “We’re looking at you, De Niro, yeah YOU”
De Niro: “Are looking at ME?”
The fishes: “Yeah we’re looking at YOU!”
De Niro: “Go f**k yourselves!”
The fishes: “You said it meatball. That’s about only way we’ll survive.”
I do think restaurants have their part to play in taking a stand on what fish they serve but heavier responsibility lies with the customer. At the end of the day, tuna has traditionally been the most commonly used fish in sushi so it’s not that simple to re-write tradition, look at cod in fish and chips.
Indeed time delays in cultural adjustment to environmental change is a regretable but real feature of human societies. Additionally I don’t think it’s fair to constantly attack businesses who at the end of the day are supplying what the majority of the public still want. The state of the planet including fisheries is everyone’s fault and to some extent I personally find it counterproductive singling out people/businesses as it somewhat absolves responsibility from everyone else. If they have put a warning on their menu, surely aren’t the customers who are still ordering tuna not equally if not more responsible? Shouldn’t they be the one’s named and shamed?
Dear Mr De Niro,
It’s people in your position who have the power to turn the tide of insanity so please make a stand.
There are NOT plenty more fish in the sea.