Students Use DNA Barcodes to Unmask “Mislabeled” Fish at Grocery Stores, Restaurants – The Rockefeller University

Pacific Fishing magazine has published the report on mislabeled fish identified by DNA barcodes by star students Kate Stoeckle and Louisa Strauss, whom PHE had the pleasure of assisting. For their report, pictures of some of the fish, and related information below. Their work also earned front-page coverage in The New York Times.

High school friends make first student use of DNA barcodes in public marketplaces
One-quarter of 56 fish samples from 14 stores, restaurants in Upper Manhattan revealed to be cheaper or endangered fish species.
Mozambique Tilapia sold as “White Tuna” in sushi

Two New York City high school friends, curious about new DNA barcoding technology, discovered that fish at local stores and restaurants are commonly mislabeled and sold for far more than regular market price.

Worse, in two cases DNA barcode tests revealed that filleted fish sold as the popular Red Snapper (caught mostly off the southeast U.S. and in the Caribbean) was instead the endangered Acadian Redfish (which swims in the North Atlantic).

The students’ report marks the first marketplace application of the four-year-old DNA barcoding technology.