Q.  My fish smelled funny when I opened it and when I tasted it, it was obviously bad.

A.  Otolith’s seafood is intended to be the highest quality available healthful and sustainable wild fish. However, when dealing with multiple pounds of a targeted harvest, it is possible for one fish out of thousands to have missed the opportunity to be handled in the manner and fashion that Otolith requires. In any case, you are entitled to receive another piece of fish with our apologies for this rare incident and an additional 20% OFF any one item of Otolith fish or shellfish.

Q.  What is an Otolith?

A. An otolith is one of several small bones located in the inner ear canal. In fish, this bone is used to stabilize balance and maintain equilibrium.

Q.  How are otoliths significant to sustainable seafood?

A. The size and composition of fish otoliths constitute some of the most significant data for empirical age and growth studies of fish — studies that allow scientists to understand large-scale environmental characteristics such as the timing and magnitude of spawning, larval and juvenile duration, habitat use, and population age structure. Such knowledge is, in turn, important for designing appropriate fishery management policies.

Q.  What does the Otolith assurance of “sustainable” seafood mean?

A. Otolith “sustainable” seafood has been designated by a knowledgeable industry professional or association as meeting standards that will ensure continued viability of the species. In particular, Otolith seafood must be in strict compliance with environmental standards in three key areas: (1) the fishery management of the species, (2) the harvest technique implemented to procure the species, and (3) the distribution network by which the seafood is brought to market.