Did you know? |
Not all seafood is created equal. Much of the fish available today in the United States is imported, frequently from places where health, safety and environmental standards for growing or catching fish are weak or non-existent. Less than 2% of seafood imports to the US are inspected for contamination. Also, many popular wild fish have been managed poorly and are depleted, are caught using gear that can hurt habitat and other wildlife, and/or contain substances like mercury or PCB's that can cause serious health problems. These concerns can make choosing healthful and sustainable fish challenging.
Fortunately, there are still good domestic seafood options. These charts provide recommendations for cleaner, greener, safer choices for popular fish nationwide. |
Questions to Ask About Your Seafood: |
Where is it from? Domestic or imported - choose domestic.
Is it caught or farmed locally? Choose local foods over those shipped from far away.
Is it farmed or wild? Choose wild, unless otherwise stated on this card.
How is it caught? Ask if the method has high bycatch or habitat damage - favor fish caught by hook and line, hand line, troll, jig and spear gun.
How is it farmed? Choose seafood that has been farmed in the US, especially in low or no output, re-circulating systems. Tilapia, shrimp, hybrid striped bass and arctic char are examples of fish that are or are soon to be farmed this way in the US.
Is it associated with any contaminants? Mercury, PCB's, antibiotics, etc.
Tip: Try a variety of seafood. This reduces your exposure to possible contaminants and helps to lower pressure on wild fish that have become over-popular choices. |
How to use this chart: |
Look for the type of seafood you like in the left column ("If you like..."), and find cleaner, greener, safer recommendations in the right column ("Choose..."). Sometimes the better choice is just a more specific type of fish that you may already like. Other times, we suggest a substitution.
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IF YOU LIKE... |
CHOOSE: |
| Bonito, shark, swordfish or tuna |
US wild pole- or troll-caught mahi-mahi or US Pacific sablefish/black cod
|
| Catfish |
US farmed catfish
|
| Chilean seabass, cod, flounder/sole, halibut, orange roughy, red snapper or tilapia |
US wild pole- or troll-caught mahi-mahi, US wild Pacific halibut, US wild Pacific cod (not trawl caught), US wild Pacific whiting or US farmed tilapia
|
| Clams, mussels or oysters |
US wild hand-raked clams, US farmed clams, US farmed oysters or US farmed mussels, especially rope-grown
|
| Crab |
US wild crab (except blue crab*), including: Alaskan King, dungeness, golden, Jonah, rock ("peekeytoe"), stone
|
| Lobster |
US wild lobster, especially American ("Maine") or Pacific spiny
|
| Salmon |
US wild Alaskan salmon
|
| Sardines |
US wild Pacific sardines
|
| Scallops |
US wild diver-caught/day boat scallops
|
| Shrimp |
US wild shrimp, especially South Atlantic white, Pacific ("Oregon") pinks and Florida ("Key West" or "Tortugas") pinks
|
| Squid (calamari) or octopus |
US wild squid, especially Atlantic trap- or net-caught longfin or Pacific market ("California")
|
*Blue crab should be avoided due to current over fishing and mercury and PCB contamination concerns.
These recommendations are intended as a general reference. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice, supplant any government warnings or otherwise prevent exposure to any health hazards associated with seafood. People should always follow proper acquisition, handling and cooking procedures of any seafood they prepare or consume. |
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Our Dirty Dozen: |
Here's a quick guide to our "dirty dozen" of common seafood choices nationwide that we give a big thumbs down.
To be avoided: |
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic flatfish - e.g.: flounder, halibut, sole
Blue crab
Caviar - wild caught sturgeon, especially Beluga)
Chilean seabass
Farmed salmon - often called "Atlantic salmon" Tip: don't be fooled by "organic" salmon, either - it's farmed internationally and not certified by US standards.
Imported farmed shrimp
Imported King crab
Orange roughy
Red snapper
Shark
Tuna - especially Atlantic bluefin
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adapted from the May 2009
"Smart Seafood Guide"
foodandwaterwatch.org
For additional local alternatives in specific regions, please visit: www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish
Please click here for a downloadable and portable copy
For more information, or any questions, please email or call 316.684.6597
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