I got this in an email today, I haven't seen it discounted as a hoax so would  prefer to err on the side of caution, I also know a relative that got sick after eating Basa;

This stuff is sold in fish and chip shops all over the country

Always ask before buying fish and if they say basa go for the hamburgers instead

BASA FISH PLEASE READ:-

Woolworths, Coles and also IGA sell this in the frozen fish section!!

Many people are buying this fish at supermarkets as it is very cheap.

The fish comes from Vietnam. It looks good - but now read the article!

BASA - ( Pangasius, Vietnamese River Cobbler, White Catfish, Gray Sole )

Industrially farmed in Vietnam along the Mekong River, BASA or Pangas or whatever they're calling it, has only been recently introduced to the French market. However, in a very short amount of time, it has grown in popularity in France. They are very affordable (cheap), are sold in fillets with no bones, and have a neutral flavor and texture; many would compare it to cod and sole, only much cheaper. But as tasty as some people may find it, there's, in fact, something hugely unsavory about it. I hope the information provided here will serve as important information for you and your future choices. Here's why you should leave it in the shops and not bought for your meals: 

1. BASAS or Pangas are teeming with high levels of poisons and bacteria. (industrial effluents, arsenic, and toxic and hazardous by-products of the growing industrial sector, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), metal contaminants, chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) ).

Because - the Mekong River, one of the most polluted rivers on the planet, is where basa/pangas are farmed - and industries along the river dump chemicals and industrial waste directly into it. Avoid eating these fish, as they contain high amounts of contamination<http://www.whytraveltofrance.com/2007/08/03/buying-fish-in-france-a-warning/>. Regardless of Reports and recommendations against selling them, supermarkets still sell them, knowing full well that they are contaminated.

2. They freeze Basa/Pangas in contaminated river water.

3. BASA/Pangas are raised in Vietnam, are fed food that comes from Peru ( more on that below ) Their hormones ( which are injected into the female Pangas ) come from China . ( More about that below ) and finally, they are transported from Vietnam to other countries ..

4. There's nothing natural about Basa/Pangas - They're fed dead fish remnants and bones, dried and ground into a flour (from South America), manioc ( cassava ) and residue from soy and grains. This kind of nourishment doesn't even remotely resemble what they eat in nature. But what it does resemble is the method of feeding mad cows (cows were fed cows, remember? ). What they feed basa/pangas is completely unregulated so there are most likely other dangerous substances and hormones thrown into the mix. The basa/pangas grow 4 times faster than in nature, so it makes you wonder what exactly is in their food? Your guess is as good as mine.

5. Basa/Pangas are injected with Hormones Derived from Urine. They inject female Basa/Pangas with hormones made from the dehydrated urine of pregnant women, the female Pangas grow much quicker and produce eggs faster ( one Basa/Panga can lay approximately 500,000 eggs at one time ). Essentially, they're injecting fish with hormones ( they come all of the way from a pharmaceutical company in China ) to speed up the process of growth and reproduction. That isn't good. And also consider the rest of the reasons to NOT eat BASA.

6. Don't be lured in by the insanely cheap price of Basa/Pangas. You'll risk your health and the health of your family.

7. Buying Basa/Pangas supports unscrupulous, greedy corporations and food conglomerates that don't care about our health and well-being. They are only concerned about selling as many basa/pangas as possible to unsuspecting consumers. They only care about making more money at whatever cost to the public..

8. Basa/Pangas WILL make you sick - If you don't get ill with vomiting, diarrhorea and effects from severe food poisoning, congratulations, you have an iron stomach! But you're still ingesting POISON not "poisson".

Final important note:

Because of the prodigious amount of availability of Basa/Pangas, be warned that they will certainly find their way into other foods like imitation crab sticks, fish sticks, fish terrines, and probably in some pet food too. Just check the Ingredient List to see if Bassa is one of the ingredients.