Ocean pout
| Ocean pout | |
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| Species: | Z. americanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Zoarces americanus | |
The ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) is an eelpout in the family Zoarcidae. It is found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New England and eastern Canada.
Scientists have done studies wherein genes are taken from the ocean pout and implanted into salmon in an attempt to make the latter grow faster.[1][2] These genes transfer the ocean pout's tolerance for extremely cold waters to the salmon, allowing it to grow year-round. Controversy has arisen, as some view the altered fish as a potential threat to ordinary salmon if it is ever allowed to enter the wild.[3] Nationwide, chefs, grocers and others have agreed not to sell the new fish over these concerns, though the fish is believed to be safe for human consumption.[4]
References
- ^ Gorman, James (2002-09-22), Dumb and Dumber: Here's a Fish Story With Legs, New York Times, retrieved 2007-11-20
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Burke, Monte (2001-02-19), Cannery Roe, Forbes, retrieved 2007-11-20
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Somers, Terri (2004-03-14), Fear of fishes, San Diego Union-Tribune, retrieved 2007-11-20
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Burros, Marian (2002-09-18), Chefs Join Campaign Against Altered Fish, New York Times, retrieved 2007-11-20
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External links
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