TALLAHASSEE Fla. The state Department of Business and Professional Regulation has doubled the fine for selling other species of fish as grouper.
The change comes at a time when the rising price and tighter availability of grouper have prompted some restaurants, wholesalers and retailers to mislabel less expensive types of fish as the popular local species. If they're caught, they'll now pay a fine of $500,up from $250.
The increase is in response to state inspectors finding establishments around the state misrepresenting the fish they are selling. Bill Veach, director of DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants, said, “Our inspectors have found some instances of restaurants selling artificial crab as the real thing. They’ve also seen cases when a restaurant is advertising grouper but selling another fish, such as basa, instead.”
“I love grouper, so when I order grouper, I expect to eat grouper," said DBPR secretary Holly Benson. "Floridians ought to be able to trust restaurant owners, and these increased penalties will help us ensure that the food we eat is the food we ordered.”
The increase brings DBPR’s enforcement in line with those of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Office of the Attorney General.