With the seafood/fishing industry fast becoming the next big agribusiness, there is increasing concern about the level of contaminants in seafood as well as the environmental impact of many of the large-scale fish farms. (The shrimp industry in Thailand being a recent example.) In some waters–both domestic and international–species are being decimated; where Atlantic cod was once an inexpensive staple fish, it is now almost fished out. Predator fish such as king mackerel and shark have also come under fire because of the heavy deposits of mercury and other heavy metals in their flesh. (Tuna, of course, has been long under the mercury spotlight.)
If you’re curious or concerned about what kind of fish you should/shouldn’t be eating, check out www.seafoodwatch.org. They’re the best source of information I’ve come across, and they also have a handy pocket-sized Seafood Guide PDF that you can print out and carry in your wallet. You never know when you’ll want to pick up some fish for dinner! (Fish is, of course, a very good source of omega-3s and is therefore a very essential part of our diet.)
Some of the highlights:
Best Choices
Spiny Lobster (U.S.)
Alaskan Wild Salmon
Farmed Bay Scallops
Farmed Rainbow Trout
Good Alternatives
Blue Crab (U.S.)
Mahi Mahi (U.S.)
Shrimp (U.S. Farmed or Wild)
Canned Albacore Tuna
Avoid
Chilean Seabass
Imported Shrimp
Red Snapper
Imported Swordfish
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Tags: best choices, fish, seafood, sustainability
