Basa (fish)

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Basa
Basa Head.jpg
Head of basa fish
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Pangasiidae
Genus: Pangasius
Species:
P. bocourti
Binomial name
Pangasius bocourti
Sauvage, 1880

Basa (Pangasius bocourti), as it is commonly referred to, is a species of primarily freshwater-dwelling catfish in the shark-catfish family, Pangasiidae, native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins of Mainland Southeast Asia. [2] Economically, these fish are important as a regional food source, and are also prized on the international market. Outside of Asia, such as in North America or Australia, they are often referred to as "basa fish" or "swai" [3] or by their specific name, "bocourti". [4] In the United Kingdom, all species of Pangasius may, legally, be described as "river cobbler", "cobbler", "basa", "pangasius" or simply "panga", as well as any of these names with the addition of "catfish". [5] In the rest of mainland Europe, these fish are mostly sold as "pangasius" or "panga". [6] In Asian fish markets, names for basa also include "Pacific dory" [7] and "patin". [8] Other, related shark-catfish species may occasionally be labeled—albeit incorrectly—as basa, including the iridescent shark ( P. hypophthalmus ) and the yellowtail catfish ( P. pangasius ).

Contents

Description

The body of the basa is stout and heavy. The rounded head is broader than it is long, with the blunt snout having a white band on its muzzle. This species grows to a maximum length of 120 centimetres (47 in). [2]

Ecology

Basa fish feed on plants. They spawn at the onset of flood season and the young are first seen in June, averaging about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) by mid-June. [2]

Market

Basa fish is typically sold in cooking-ready frozen fillets Pangasius meat.jpg
Basa fish is typically sold in cooking-ready frozen fillets
Basa fish steaks Basa Steaks.jpg
Basa fish steaks
Basa fish in Vinh Long market, Vietnam Basa fish - Vinh Long Market.jpg
Basa fish in Vinh Long market, Vietnam

Some bogey fish are labelled as swai; they are often mislabelled as tonguefish in China.

"Catfish war" in the U.S.

In 2002, the United States accused Vietnam of dumping catfish, namely P. bocourti and P. hypophthalmus, on the American market, arguing that the Vietnamese exporters, who are subsidised by Vietnam's government, were engaged in unfair competition. [9] [10] With pressure from the U.S. catfish industry, the United States Congress passed a law in 2003 preventing the imported fish from being labelled as catfish, as well as imposing additional tariffs on the imported fish. [11] Under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruling, only species from the family Ictaluridae can be sold as true catfish. [3] As a result, the Vietnamese exporters of this fish now label their products sold in the U.S. as basa fish, striped pangasius, swai or bocourti. [12] [13]

At the height of the "catfish war", U.S. catfish farmers and others were describing the imported catfish as an inferior product. However, Mississippi State University researchers found imported basa were preferred three-to-one to US catfish in a small (58 testers) blind taste test. [14]

United Kingdom

Basa has become common in the UK as "Vietnamese river cobbler", "river cobbler", or "basa". It is mainly sold by large supermarkets, in both fresh and frozen forms, as a cheaper alternative to popular white fish such as cod or haddock. Young's uses it in some of its frozen fish products, under the name basa. [15] The import of basa is subject to the same stringent EU regulations as other food imports, as set out in the CBI pangasius product fact sheet [16] UK Trading Standards officers said that cobbler was being fraudulently sold as cod by some fish-and-chip retailers to take advantage of the much lower price of cobbler, which was about half that of cod. This practice was highlighted by the successful prosecution of two retailers, using DNA evidence, in 2009 and 2010. [17] [18] Sometimes pangasius is described, legally, simply as "fish", as in "fish and chips". [18]

Environmental and health concerns

Several environmental organisations specialising in marine ecosystems have raised concerns surrounding basa; OceanWise, an environmental group associated with Canada's Vancouver Aquarium, has flagged farmed basa for its potential pollution of ecosystems and interference with wild species. [19] The group stated: "Open cage farming in Southeast Asia is associated with disease transfer to wild basa. There are also concerns about feed quality, farm operating standards and the biological impact of using wild stock for culturing." [19] The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California currently lists the species in its "red flag" or "avoid" category. [20] Both groups cite USA-farmed catfish as a more sustainable alternative.

Tests by Asda and Tesco supermarket corporations in the UK have found no trace of toxic contaminants. [21] Testing by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service found trace levels of malachite green, but no other contaminants; this was likely the result of antiparasitic treatment administered to the fish, such as in the treatment of ich (white-spot disease), a common affliction of captive fishes with which malachite green (or methylene blue) is often remedied. [22] [23] [24] [25]

One case has been reported of a person without a general fish allergy having an anaphylactic reaction to pangasius. [26] [27]

Related Research Articles

Cobbler(s) may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fish and chips</span> Hot dish of fried fish and fried potato

Fish and chips is a hot dish consisting of battered and fried fish, served with chips. Often considered the national dish of the United Kingdom, fish and chips originated in England in the 19th century. Today, the dish is a common takeaway food in numerous other countries, particularly English-speaking and Commonwealth nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catfish</span> Order of fish

Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia, and the piraíba of South America, to detritivores, and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. Neither the armour-plated types nor the naked types have scales. Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels or "whiskers". Members of the Siluriformes order are defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish are of considerable commercial importance; many of the larger species are farmed or fished for food. Many of the smaller species, particularly the genus Corydoras, are important in the aquarium hobby. Many catfish are nocturnal, but others are crepuscular or diurnal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haddock</span> Species of fish

The haddock is a saltwater ray-finned fish from the family Gadidae, the true cods. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Melanogrammus. It is found in the North Atlantic Ocean and associated seas, where it is an important species for fisheries, especially in northern Europe, where it is marketed fresh, frozen and smoked; smoked varieties include the Finnan haddie and the Arbroath smokie. Other smoked versions include long boneless, the fileted side of larger haddock smoked in oak chips with the skin left on the fillet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barramundi</span> Species of fish

The barramundi, Asian sea bass, or giant sea perch is a species of catadromous fish in the family Latidae of the order Carangiformes. The species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, spanning the waters of the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iridescent shark</span> Species of fish

The iridescent shark or iridescent shark catfish is a species of shark catfish native to the rivers of Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it is not a shark. It is found in the Mekong basin as well as the Chao Phraya River, and is heavily cultivated for food there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquaculture of catfish</span> Farming of catfish for food

Catfish are easy to farm in warm climates, leading to inexpensive and safe food at local grocers. Catfish raised in inland tanks or channels are considered safe for the environment, since their waste and disease should be contained and not spread to the wild.

<i>Pangasius</i> Genus of fishes

Pangasius is a genus of medium-large to very large shark catfishes native to fresh water in South and Southeast Asia. The term "pangasius" is sometimes used to specifically refer to the commercially important basa fish, P. bocourti.

<i>Pangasius pangasius</i> Species of fish

Pangasius pangasius, the Pangas catfish, is a species of shark catfish native to fresh and brackish waters of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan. It has also been introduced to Cambodia and Vietnam. This species grows to a standard length of 3 metres (9.8 ft). This species of fish is eaten by the people of South Asia, the other being P. silasi from the Krishna River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant pangasius</span> Species of freshwater fish

The giant pangasius, paroon shark, pangasid-catfish or Chao Phraya giant catfish is a species of freshwater fish in the shark catfish family (Pangasiidae) of order Siluriformes, found in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins in Indochina. Its populations have declined drastically, mainly due to overfishing, and it is now considered Critically Endangered.

Cuulong Fish JSC is a fishery company in Vietnam, specializing in farming and processing two species of pangasius, a genus of catfish, Pangasius bocourti and Pangasius hypophthalmus. The company's main facilities are in Long Xuyen City in An Giang Province, adjacent to the Mekong River. Cuulong processes over 80,000 tons of pangasius per year. Products include frozen fillets, breaded fillets, fishsticks, nuggets and fish sausage. Cuulong Fish's stock is listed at the Ho Chi Minh Securities Trading Center.

Panga is the common South African name for Pterogymnus laniarius, a small, ocean-dwelling fish.

In the United States, an Acceptable Market Name refers to the designated name under which a seafood species can be marketed and sold in interstate commerce. These names are established to ensure consistency, prevent consumer deception, and facilitate accurate identification of seafood products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cod as food</span> Gadidae fishes in human nutrition and cooking

Cod and other cod-like fish have been widely used as food through history. Other cod-like fish come from the same family (Gadidae) that cod belong to, such as haddock, pollock, and whiting.

Saltwater fish, also called marine fish or sea fish, are fish that live in seawater. Saltwater fish can swim and live alone or in a large group called a school.

Seafood species can be mislabelled in misleading ways. This article examines the history and types of mislabelling, and looks at the current state of the law in different locations.

Antimicrobials destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and other microbes. The cells of bacteria (prokaryotes), such as salmonella, differ from those of higher-level organisms (eukaryotes), such as fish. Antibiotics are chemicals designed to either kill or inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria while exploiting the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes in order to make them relatively harmless in higher-level organisms. Antibiotics are constructed to act in one of three ways: by disrupting cell membranes of bacteria, by impeding DNA or protein synthesis, or by hampering the activity of certain enzymes unique to bacteria.

The Catfish Dispute started in 2001, as a trade war between Vietnam and the United States' catfish producers. The main argument concerns the import volume of catfish from Vietnam which results in lower profits for U.S. catfish producers. In dealing with major losses in profit, the Catfish Farmers of America (CFA), presented a series of lawsuits to the U.S. Department of Commerce against frozen catfish from Vietnam.

References

  1. Vidthayanon, C. (2012). "Pangasius bocourti". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012. IUCN: e.T180848A1669669. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T180848A1669669.en .
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Pangasius bocourti". FishBase . February 2012 version.
  3. 1 2 "Basa/Swai" (PDF). SeaFood Business magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  4. "CFIA Fish List". Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 7 July 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  5. "Fish Labelling (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006" (PDF). COT. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  6. "Vietnam catfish farmers angered by French reports". Monsters and Critics. 19 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  7. "Are you getting the fish you paid for?". 2 June 2016.
  8. "Patin Steak – the Seafood Market Place by Song Fish".
  9. Becker, Elizabeth (16 January 2002). "Delta Farmers Want Copyright on Catfish". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  10. Armstrong, David (8 February 2003). "Food Fight: U.S. accuses Vietnam of dumping catfish on the American market". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  11. Philadelphia, Desa (25 February 2002). "Catfish by Any Other Name". Time . New York. Archived from the original on 26 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  12. "Buyer's Guide: Basa Catfish". SeaFood Business magazine. November 2001. Archived from the original on 22 March 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  13. Greenberg, Paul (9 October 2008). "A Catfish by Any Other Name". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  14. McConnaughey, Janet (19 July 2005). "Vietnam has tastier fish than US: studies". Independent Online (South Africa) . SAPA-AP. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  15. "Basa fillets". youngsseafood.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  16. "Exporting Pangasius to Europe". CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  17. Elliott, Valerie (13 July 2009). "Fish and chip shops accused of selling Vietnamese cobbler as cod". The Times. London. Retrieved 22 July 2009.[ dead link ](subscription required)
  18. 1 2 "Chip shop owner admits fish fraud". BBC News. 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  19. 1 2 "CatfishBasa - Ocean Wise". oceanwise.ca. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  20. "Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guide" (PDF). Monterey Bay Aquarium SeafoodWatch. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  21. BBC Watchdog report Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  22. Food Standards Australia Archived 23 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine Report 2005
  23. "Biosecurity in Australia Review of Provisions in the Australian New Z…". agriculture.gov.au. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014.
  24. e Positive only statements Archived 28 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine from Seafood Importers Association, a lobby organisation for fish importing companies
  25. Forums, AquariumScience (4 October 2024). "Ich Medications in more depth".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. Ebo, DG; Kuehn, A; Bridts, CH; Hilger, C; Hentges, F; Stevens, WJ (2010). "Monosensitivity to pangasius and tilapia caused by allergens other than parvalbumin" (PDF). J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 20 (1): 84–8. PMID   20232779.
  27. "Leicester Mercury: Fish and chips nearly a deadly dish for allergy patient Luke, 24 January 2011". leicestermercury.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.

Further reading