A new school of fish
As with agriculture, aquaculture is becoming more transparent in terms of traceability. NGOs, or nongovernmental organizations, post their own fish advisory lists. The status of fish species changes regularly based on new research. Here's a sample of the good, the bad and the endangered.
Best choices for healthy, sustainable fish
These species are currently considered relatively abundant, with fishing or farming methods causing little damage to their habitats and other wildlife.
Abalone (farmed)
Alaska salmon
Albacore tuna
Atlantic char (farmed)
Atlantic herring
Atlantic mackerel
Barramundi (U.S. farmed)
Catfish (farmed)
Haddock (hook and line only)
Mahimahi (U.S. Atlantic)
Pacific cod
Pacific halibut
Pacific sole
Rainbow trout (farmed)
Striped bass
Striped mullet
Tilapia
Tuna (Atlantic only)
Walleye pollack
Yellowtail (U.S. only)
Currently endangered fish
These species have a combination of problems, such as overfishing, high bycatch, and poor management, or farming methods that have serious environmental impact. Some aquacultured farms around the world have made great strides to provide these species in a nonthreatening environment and, furthermore, add to the populations in surrounding waters.
American plaice Atlantic cod
Atlantic flounder
Atlantic halibut
Atlantic salmon
Atlantic sole
Bigeye tuna
Bluefin tuna
Blue marlin
Corvina
Chilean sea bass
Grouper
Orange roughy
Shark (imported)
Yellowtail (Japanese farmed)
What to know about mercury and polutant levels
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that exists at low levels throughout the environment--and because it is an element, it never breaks down or disappears. Mercury is also released into the air primarily from industrial sources, falling to the ground in rain or snow and entering streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans through water runoff, where it is converted into a highly toxic form of mercury called methylmercury. Methylmercury can build up in the tissues of fish, and in high concentrations can pose serious health risks to people who frequently eat contaminated fish.
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are highly toxic industrial compounds. Although banned from manufacture in the United States in 1977, PCBs are slow to break down and can persist in the environment at dangerous levels. PCBs accumulate in sediments at the bottom of streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Like mercury, these chemicals can build up in the fatty tissues of fish and other animals and pose serious health risks if consumed in high concentrations.
Fish is generally healthy to eat, but you should eat some types infrequently, if at all. Blue Ocean Institute, at blueocean.org, works to inspire a closer relationship with the sea through science, art, and literature. One of their efforts resulted in the creation of a phone "text" application. Next time you are at a restaurant or shopping for fish, text "FISH" and the species name to 30644 for instant sustainability information. Cell phone and PDA users can visit fishphone.org to download a cell phone-friendly seafood guide. For more information on unhealthy fish, also visit greenpeace.org or montereybayaquarium.org.