April 12, 2010

David McCormick
NBC News
VP for Standards
VIA Email

Dear Mr. McCormick,

Thank you for responding to our letter and for Ms. Bauers explanation of the advice she gave regarding seafood consumption.

We maintain our concern about the inconsistencies between Ms. Bauers advice and authoritative guidance from the U.S. FDA, EPA, and IOM. Rather than clarify the official recommendations about fish for Melissa from Iowa and countless other viewers, Ms. Bauer devised unique opinions, self-described as information overload. Further complicating matters, she suggested two environmental activist websites as resources for further information about what to eat.

In our original letter we asked that you offer some perspective on Ms. Bauers stand-alone advice in order to provide your viewers with the best possible established information about seafood and nutrition. It is evident from your response that you have no intention of making any addendum to her reporting. In an attempt to bring viewers back to sanctioned seafood advice, we have produced this YouTube Video.

With respect to Ms. Bauers advice to limit farm-raised salmon, Dr. Paul Olin from the University of California, Davis an independent seafood expert with no financial affiliation with NFI is willing to brief Ms. Bauer on the latest science about this issue. Dr. Olin will be following up on this note.

Sincerely,
Gavin Gibbons
National Fisheries Institute

Cc: Ami Schmitz

Health & Medicine producer

Kerri Zimmer

Health & Medicine producer

Jim Bell

Executive Producer

Dr. Paul Olin

University of California, Davis