New York Times Mercury Story Erroneous
Misinformation and Alarmist Journalism Causing Public Harm

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 24, 2008) In a pair of poorly-sourced, sensationalized articles in Wednesday's New York Times, reporter Marian Burros advanced erroneous and distorted information on sushi and seafood that is at odds with widely accepted science. The story is unreliable and contradicts broadly held medical advice that tuna and other kinds of fish are an essential part of a healthy diet. The Times story is alarmist, activist-driven journalism at its worst and should be treated with extreme skepticism.

The National Fisheries Institute will be holding a press conference by phone at 3PM this afternoon to detail the specific errors and other breaches in journalism standards. NFI will also issue an advisory on the public health facts at issue to provide guidance for consumers and others impacted by the misinformation contained in the Times story. An authoritative risk assessment was entirely omitted from the Times story and NFI will cite the latest independent scientific analysis to put that risk in accurate perspective.

"On issues of public health, the standards for accuracy and objectivity ought to be at their highest," said Mary Anne Hansan Vice President NFI. "Instead the Times produced a wildly inaccurate, repeatedly erroneous story that has endangered critical public understanding of fish consumption. We intend to hold them accountable for this journalism misconduct and to set the record straight."

TODAY: Phone Press Conference and Briefing to Debunk NYT Reporting

WHEN: Thursday, January 24, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

WHO: Mary Anne Hansan, Vice President Communications National Fisheries Institute
Randi Thomas, Vice President Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs National Fisheries Institute

HOW: Dial-in Number: 888-632-5950 (Request NFI conference call)

FORMAT: Public advisory and specifics on NYT errors followed by Q&A and discussion.

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) is the nation's leading advocacy organization for the seafood industry. Its member companies represent every element of the industry from the fishing vessels at sea to the national seafood restaurant chains.
Additional Background and Sources: www.AboutSeafood.com.