Atlantic Cod
THE BLUE OCEAN INSTITUTE GUIDE TO OCEAN FRIENDLY SEAFOOD
Decades of overfishing drove Atlantic Cod populations to historic low levother offerings
els. Even with heavy management, populations show no sign of rebuildSurimi/Kanikama:
Walleye
Pollock
ing.
Bottom trawling
Atlantic
Cod destroys
habitat.
Mahimahi,
pole-for
and
troll-caught
Although
often
labeled
as
imitation
crab, surimi
is actually
Mahimahi
grow
fast,
live
short
lives,
and withstand
high fishing
pressure.
Sharks
Blue*, Snow, and Tanner Crabs
Pole
and
troll
fisheries
catch
with
bycatch
compared
to longmadeSharks
from
puréed
Walleye
(orand
Alaska)
Pollock.
Living
on
grow
slowly,
have
fewMahimahi
young,
arelittle
victims
of widespread
overline fisheries.
and
bycatch.
Despite
laws inWalleye
some countries
(including
therapidly
U.S.)
both fishing
sides
of the
North
Pacific,
Pollock
grow
against
killingBigeye,
sharks
just
forfactors
their fins, demand
for shark-fin
in Asia
Albacore,
and
Yellowfin
Tuna,help
and are
highly
fecund,
that
themsoup
withstand
drives heavy and sometimes illegal fishing worldwide.
(U.S.
Pacific
Albacore
)
poleand
troll-caught
high fishing pressure. Managers closely monitor the largeTunas are imported
fast-growing, prolific breeders, and wide-ranging, but many popuShrimp,
scaleBottom
Pollock
fishery,
which
primarily
uses
mid-water
trawls
lations
remain
depleted.
Themost
low
bycatch
associated
with poletrawls used
to catch
wild
shrimp
damage habitat
and and
unin-trolland has
low
bycatch.
Possible
impacts
on
Steller
caught
tuna
a better
alternative
tofish,
longline,drift
gillnet,or
pursetentionally
killmakes
manythem
unwanted
invertebrates,
and declining
sea turtles.
Coastal
seine caught
tuna.
farming
ruinsprey
life-supporting
ecosystems
such as mangroves
and
Sea shrimp
Lions,
which
on Pollock,
continue
to concern
causes water
pollution.
Shrimp fisheries
and farms in the U.S. are generalmanagers
and(“Maine”)
environmental
American
Lobster,groups.
Maine
and Canada
LD
Albacore*, Bigeye*,Yellowfin*, and Skipjack Tuna,
canned or longline-caught
Despite
having
naturally
high fertility
wide ranges, many Albacore Tuna
Farmed
Clams,
Mussels,
and and
Oysters
Fish Freshwater
farmers raise catfishEel
in the southern U.S.in large earthen ponds, resulting
Unagi:
American
(“Maine”)
Lobster,
in some water
pollution. But
escapesMaine
are rare,and
and Canada
catfish require much less
fold
fold
fold
fold
fold
Highly valued by sushi connoisseurs, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have been
American (“Maine”) Lobster, Maine and Canada
being sustainably managed according to the Marine Stewardship Council.
Despite having naturally high fertility and wide ranges, many Albacore Tuna
(“chunk white”) and Bigeye,Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna (“chunk light”) populations are declining from heavy fishing pressure. Globally, few regulations
exist for tuna longline, drift gillnet, and purse-seine fisheries. These fisheries
also catch large numbers of marine mammals, sea turtles, sharks, and young
tunas. Despite U.S. “Dolphin Safe” standards for the canned tuna market,
affected dolphins are not recovering.
Monkfish
fold
fold
as endangered.
Warsaw,
Black, Goliath,
Nassau
Groupers are depleted.
Highly
valued
by and
sushi
connoisseurs,
Atlantic Bluefin
Tuna
haveRoughy
been exploited heavily since the 1970s and are
Orange
Severely depleted,
OrangeSince
Roughy1996,
don’t mature
they’re
at least 20 years
extremely
depleted.
the until
World
Conservation
old and can live over 100 years.They live in deep waters where habitat-damUnion
has
listed
the
western
population
of
Atlantic
Bluefin
aging trawls catch them when they gather in groups to feed or spawn.Fishing
Tuna
as critically
endangered
and
the eastern
population
for Orange
Roughy also
catches and kills
a number
of threatened
deep sea
species.
as shark
endangered.
Bluefin Tuna can also be caught as
Chileanand
Sea fattened
Bass
juveniles
in net pens. This “farming” method
Really named
Patagonian
high market
demand
for thisBluefin
naturally
prevents
the fish
fromToothfish,
spawning,
further
reducing
long-lived fish drives depletion and creates an incentive for continued illegal
numbers.
fishing. One very small Patagonian Toothfish fishery in the South Atlantic is
Maine and Canadian lobster populations today remain abundant. However,
North Atlantic Right Whales, an endangered species, still become entangled
in lobster fishing gear.
Sablefish (Black Cod)
fold
Monkfish are caught along with other groundfish like Atlantic Cod and
Haddock in the Northeast U.S. Overfishing, high bycatch, poor management,
and depletion all mar this fishery.
Sea Scallops
While no longer overfished,controversial management measures for wild Sea
Scallops inadequately address high fishing pressure. Bottom dredges and
trawls used to catch Sea Scallops damage habitat, and there is unintended
catch of endangered sea turtles, depleted Atlantic Cod, and other groundfish.
One scallop fishery in Argentina is certified as sustainably managed by the
Marine Stewardship Council.
Atlantic Flounders and Soles
Long-term overfishing and high bycatch plague Atlantic groundfish fisheries.
Naturally vulnerable to fishing pressure, most Atlantic flounders and soles
remain depleted. Summer Flounder*, an exception, is rebounding but high
fishing pressure threatens its continued recovery.
Rockfish, U.S.West Coast
Rockfish have a long lifespan, making them vulnerable to fishing pressure.
Despite improved management, conservation goals have not been met and
many rockfish populations remain overfished and depleted.
the
Worldsold
Conservation
Union
western
of
groupers
in the U.S. come
fromhas
thelisted
Gulf ofthe
Mexico,
wherepopulation
management
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna has
as critically
endangered
and the
eastern
population
Kuro
maguro/Hon
maguro:
Atlantic
Tuna
of grouper
fisheries
historically
been
lacking.
InBluefin
U.S.
waters,
Snowy,
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
fold
Sablefish are a sustainable alternative to severely depleted Atlantic Cod.
Widespread adoption of better fishing practices successfully reduced
bycatch, particularly benefiting Short-Tailed Albatrosses.
Squid
Many squid species exist worldwide. Squid grow fast and often reproduce
before they are a year old, characteristics which help them withstand high
fishing pressure.Most are vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions.
Dungeness, King, and Stone Crabs
These crab species are fairly abundant thanks to wise management.Crab fishers use relatively low-bycatch traps (or pots).
Catfish, U.S.-farmed
Fish farmers raise catfish in the southern U.S.in large earthen ponds, resulting
in some water pollution. But escapes are rare, and catfish require much less
fishmeal and fish oil in their feed than other farmed fish.
Shrimp, U.S.-farmed
Farmed shrimp require high amounts of fishmeal and fish oil in their food
compared to other farmed fish and shellfish. U.S. Farmers usually treat discharged water to reduce pollution.
Lingcod, U.S.West Coast
Groupers
Generally long-lived, many groupers change sex with age and spawn together in the same places every year,making them vulnerable to overfishing.Most
groupers sold in the U.S. come from the Gulf of Mexico, where management
of grouper fisheries has historically been lacking. In U.S. waters, Snowy,
Warsaw, Black, Goliath, and Nassau Groupers are depleted.
and
longline
boats
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna targeting tunas also catch high
Groupers
Highly
valued
by sushi
connoisseurs,
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna
havetogethbeen
numbers
of marine
sea
turtles,
sharks,
and
Generally
long-lived,
manymammals,
groupers change
sex with
age and
spawn
exploited
heavily
since
theyear,making
1970s and suffer
depletion.
Since 1996,
er in the
same
places
every
themextreme
vulnerable
to overfishing.Most
young
tunas.
Farmed Rainbow Trout
Created in Feed
collaboration
withcontains
Environmental
the
for Rainbow Trout
large amountsDefense
of fishmealFund
and fishand
oil. Most
Monterey Bay
Aquarium.
U.S. Rainbow
Trout farmers use freshwater flow-through systems (called raceways), which spread pollution. Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific
Northwest where the majority of U.S. farms are located.
Lingcod dwell along the ocean bottom off the U.S. West Coast. Commercial
trawlers that target Lingcod also incidentally catch rockfish, which remains a
problem. While overfished for several years, Lingcod populations are considered to be rebuilt.
Pacific Cod
Orange Roughy
growPDA
slowly and
can live
over www.fishphone.org
50 years, Pacific Halibut remain
Cell Although
phonethey
and
users
visit
to
abundant due to responsible management. Fishers may own shares of the
download a cell phone-friendly seafood guide.
total annual catch, eliminating the dangerous incentive to fish competitively.
Swordfish
Faring much better than their Atlantic counterparts, Pacific Cod populations
are healthy and abundant. Managers limit catches and account for bycatch.
Albatross deaths declined with the widespread adoption of seabird avoidance measures.
Severely depleted, Orange Roughy don’t mature until they’re at least 20 years
old and can live over 100 years.They live in deep waters where habitat-damaging trawls catch them when they gather in groups to feed or spawn.Fishing
for Orange Roughy also catches and kills a number of threatened deep sea
shark species.
Chilean Sea Bass
Really named Patagonian Toothfish, high market demand for this naturally
long-lived fish drives depletion and creates an incentive for continued illegal
fishing. One very small Patagonian Toothfish fishery in the South Atlantic is
being sustainably managed according to the Marine Stewardship Council.
Highly valued by sushi connoisseurs, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have been
exploited heavily since the 1970s and suffer extreme depletion. Since 1996,
the World Conservation Union has listed the western population of
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna as critically endangered and the eastern population
as endangered.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
These
crab species
are fairlyManagers
abundant limit
thanks
to wiseand
management.Crab
fishare healthy
anddepleted.
abundant.
catches
account
bycatch.
lations
remain
The low bycatch
associated
with
pole-forand
trollers
use relatively
low-bycatch
traps
(or
pots).
Albatross
deaths
with
the
widespread
adoption ofgillnet,or
seabird purseavoidcaught
tuna
makesdeclined
them a better
alternative
to longline,drift
Species
isU.S.-farmed
relatively abundant, and fishing/farming
ance measures.
Catfish,
seine
caught
tuna.
Fish farmers
raise little
catfishdamage
in the southern
U.S.in large
earthen
resulting
methods
cause
habitat
otherponds,
wildlife.
American
(“Maine”)
Lobster,toMaine
andand
Canada
Halibut
in some Pacific
water pollution.
But escapes are rare, and catfish require much less
Maine
and
Canadian
lobster
populations
today
remain
abundant.
However,
Although
they
grow
slowly
and
over
50 years,
Pacificor
Halibut
remain
Species
has
medium
to high
levels
of abundance,
fishing/
fishmeal
and
fish
oil in
their
feedcan
thanlive
other
farmed
fish.
North
Atlantic
Whales, anmanagement.
endangered species,
still become
entangled
abundant
due Right
to responsible
Fishers
may
own shares
of the
farming
methods
cause some
damage
to the
environment.
Shrimp,
U.S.-farmed
in
lobster
fishing
total
annual
catch,gear.
eliminating the dangerous incentive to fish competitively.
Farmed
shrimp require
amounts
of fishmeal status
and fish oil
their food
Some
problems
existhigh
with
this species'
or incatch/
Farmed
Rainbow
Troutfish
Sablefish
(Black
Cod)
compared
to other farmed
and shellfish. U.S. Farmers usually treat disfarming
methods,
or information
insufficient
for evaluating.
Feed
for
Rainbow
Trout
contains
largeisamounts
of fishmeal
andAtlantic
fish oil. Most
Sablefish
are atosustainable
alternative
to severely
depleted
Cod.
charged
water
reduce
pollution.
U.S.
Rainbow
Trout
farmers
use
freshwater
flow-through
systems (called
raceWidespread
adoption
of
better
fishinglow,
practices
successfully
reduced
Species
abundance
is
generally
or
fishing/farming
Lingcod,
U.S.West
Coast Short-Tailed
ways), which
spreadbenefiting
pollution.
Rainbow Trout
are native to the Pacific
bycatch,
particularly
Albatrosses.
methods
typically
high
environmental
impact.
Lingcod
dwell
along
the
ocean
off are
thelocated.
U.S. West
Coast. Commercial
Northwest
where
thehave
majority
ofbottom
U.S.
farms
Squid
trawlers that target Lingcod also incidentally catch rockfish, which remains a
Species
has
aspecies
combination
of problems
such
as
overfishing,
Swordfish
Many
squid
Squid Lingcod
grow
fast
and
often are
reproduce
problem.
While
overfished
for several
years,
populations
considfoldexist worldwide.
Swordfish
inare
the
Atlantic
are showing
signs
ofthem
recovery
following
a North
year
old,
characteristics
which
help
withstand
high
highbefore
bycatch,
and
poor
management;
or
farming
methods
ered
to they
be rebuilt.
stronger
catch
regulations.
Theirimpacts.
abundance
healthy inconditions.
the North
fishing
pressure.Most
are vulnerable
to changesappears
in environmental
have
serious
environmental
Pacific, but
their status
is unclear in other parts of the Pacific. Most Swordfish
Pacific
Cod and
Dungeness,
King,
Stone
Crabs
are longline-caught,
withspecies
high
bycatch
ofbeen
albatrosses,
sea turtles,
and sharks.
Faring
much
betterthis
than
their
Atlantic
Pacific
Codsustainpopulations
A fishery
targeting
hascounterparts,
certified
as
These crab species are fairly abundant thanks to wise management.Crab fishhealthy
and
abundant.to
Managers
limit catches and account for bycatch.
ableare
and
well
managed
the
Marine
ers use relatively low-bycatch traps (or pots).Stewardship Council’s
Albatross deaths declined with the widespread adoption of seabird avoidenvironmental standard. Learn more at www.msc.org.
Catfish,
U.S.-farmed
ance measures.
Fish farmers
raise catfish
in the southern
U.S.in large
earthen ponds,
resulting
These
fish contain
levels
of mercury
or PCBs
that may
Pacific
Halibut
in some
water pollution.
But
escapes
arechildren.
rare, and catfish
require
much
pose
a
health
risk
to
adults
or
Please
refer
toless
Althoughand
theyfish
grow
slowly
overfarmed
50 years,
Pacific Halibut remain
fishmeal
oil in
their and
feedcan
thanlive
other
fish.
www.oceansalive.org/eat.cfm
for
more
details.
abundant due to responsible management. Fishers may own shares of the
Shrimp,
U.S.-farmed
total annual
catch, eliminating the dangerous incentive to fish competitively.
* TheFarmed
health
advisory
this
group
this
shrimp
requirefor
high
amounts
of refers
fishmealto
and
fishspecies.
oil in their food
Farmed
Troutfish and shellfish. U.S. Farmers usually treat discompared Rainbow
to other farmed
Feed
for
Rainbow
Trout
contains
large
amounts
of
fishmeal
and
fish oil. Most
charged water to reduce pollution.
U.S. Rainbow Trout farmers use freshwater flow-through systems (called raceLingcod,
U.S.West
Coast Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific
ways), which
spread pollution.
Lingcod
dwell
along
oceanofbottom
off are
thelocated.
U.S. West Coast. Commercial
Northwest
where
thethe
majority
U.S. farms
trawlers that target Lingcod also incidentally catch rockfish, which remains a
Swordfish
problem. While overfished for several years, Lingcod populations are considSwordfish
in the North Atlantic are showing signs of recovery following
ered
to be rebuilt.
stronger catch regulations. Their abundance appears healthy in the North
Pacific
Cod is to
Pacific,
but
theirworks
status
unclear
in other
parts of relationship
the Pacific. Mostwith
Swordfish
Blue Ocean
Institute
inspire
a closer
the
Faring
much better than
Atlantic counterparts,
Cod populations
are longline-caught,
with their
high bycatch
of albatrosses,Pacific
sea turtles,
and sharks.
sea through science, art, and literature.
are healthy and abundant. Managers limit catches and account for bycatch.
Albatross deaths declined with the widespread adoption of seabird avoidmeasures.
Text ance
“FISH”
and the species name to 30644 for instant
sustainability
infoHalibut
when you need it.
Pacific
fold
tuna
Pacific Halibut
Although they grow slowly and can live over 50 years, Pacific Halibut remain
abundant due to responsible management. Fishers may own shares of the
total annual catch, eliminating the dangerous incentive to fish competitively.
Farmed Rainbow Trout
Feed for Rainbow Trout contains large amounts of fishmeal and fish oil. Most
U.S. Rainbow Trout farmers use freshwater flow-through systems (called raceways), which spread pollution. Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific
Northwest where the majority of U.S. farms are located.
Swordfish
MostMaine
freshwater
eels are
farmed
inremain
netabundant.
pens However,
where
and
Canadian
populations
today
fishmeal
and
fish oil inlobster
their feed
than other
farmed
fish.
Right Whales,
an endangered
still becomecausing
entangled
wasteNorth
is Atlantic
not treated
before
being species,
discharged,
Shrimp,
U.S.-farmed
in lobster
fishing
gear.
serious
environmental
pollution. Freshwater eels can
Farmed shrimp require high amounts of fishmeal and fish oil in their food
also escape
from
pens,
transferring
diseases
wild
THE
BLUE
OCEAN
INSTITUTE
GUIDE
Sablefish
(Black
Cod)
compared
to
other net
farmed
fish
and
shellfish.
U.S. Farmers
usuallyto
treat
disSablefish
areFreshwater
atosustainable
alternative
severely carnivorous
depleted Atlantic and
Cod.
charged water
reduce pollution.
populations.
eels aretohighly
Widespread
adoption
ofdiet,
better
fishing practices
successfully
require
a highU.S.West
protein
consisting
mostly
of fishreduced
meal
Lingcod,
Coast
Mahimahi,
pole-benefiting
and
troll-caught
bycatch, particularly
Short-Tailed Albatrosses.
Lingcod
dwell
along
the
ocean
bottom
off
the
U.S.
West
Coast.
Commercial
and oil.
Because
of
their
complex
life
history,
farming
Mahimahi grow fast, live short lives, and withstand high fishing
pressure.
Squid
trawlers
also incidentally
catch
rockfish,
which
remains
Pole
andthat
trolltarget
fisheries
catch Mahimahi
with
little
bycatch
toeels,
long-a
is dependent
on Lingcod
wild-caught
juveniles,
orcompared
glass
Manyfisheries.
squid
species
exist worldwide.
Squid Lingcod
grow fast
and often are
reproduce
problem.
While
overfished
for several years,
populations
considline
causing
wild
populations
to
decline.
before
are a year old, characteristics which help them withstand high
ered to they
be rebuilt.
Albacore,
Bigeye,are
and
Yellowfin
Tuna, in environmental conditions.
fishing pressure.Most
vulnerable
to changes
Pacific
Cod
(U.S.
Pacific
Albacore
)
poleand troll-caught
Dungeness,
King,
and
Stone
Crabs
Faring
much
better
than
their
Atlantic
counterparts,
Pacific Cod
populations
Tunas are
fast-growing,
prolific
breeders,
and wide-ranging,
but many
popuSwordfish in the North Atlantic are showing signs of recovery following
stronger catch regulations. Their abundance appears healthy in the North
Pacific, but their status is unclear in other parts of the Pacific. Most Swordfish
are longline-caught, with high bycatch of albatrosses, sea turtles, and sharks.
Print the first page of this guide then flip the sheet of paper over to print the second page on the back.
Cut along the dotted lines and fold where indicated to fit in your wallet.
insquid
lobster
fishing
gear.costs
environmental
of worldwide.
farming salmon Squid
include water
ManyHigh
species
exist
growpollution,
fast and
of diseases
to wild they
fish populations,
high old,
content
of wild fish in
oftenspread
reproduce
before
are a year
characteristics
(Black
Cod)
THE BLUE
OCEAN
feed,andSablefish
overuse of antibiotics.In
addition
to AtlanticINSTITUTE
Salmon,farmers areGUIDE
whichnow
help
them
withstand
high fishing
pressure.
Most
are
Sablefish
are
a sustainable
toAtlantic
severely
depleted
raising
Chinook
and Cohoalternative
Salmon.All
Salmon
sold inAtlantic
the U.S.Cod.
Widespread
adoption of
fishing practices
successfully reduced
vulnerable
to changes
in better
environmental
conditions.
are
farmed.
Mahimahi,
poleand
troll-caught
bycatch, particularly benefiting Short-Tailed Albatrosses.
Caviar,
from
Mahimahi
growwild-caught
fast, live shortsturgeons
lives, and withstand high fishing pressure.
Tako:
Octopus
Squid
Wild
mature catch
late and
suffer from
andcompared
habitat degraPole sturgeons
and
troll fisheries
Mahimahi
withoverfishing
littleand
bycatch
to longAlthough
octopus
are
wide-ranging
have
short
life
Manyfisheries.
squid
speciesOutside
exist worldwide.
Squid grow
fast
andare
often
reproduce
dation
worldwide.
the U.S., management
efforts
generally
line
before
theypopulations
are afarm-raised
year old, characteristics
whichdue
help to
them
withstand
high
spans,
some
are declining
heavy
fishing
poor.
Caviar
from
sturgeon
is a good
alternative.
Albacore,
Bigeye,
and
Yellowfin
Tuna,using
fishing pressure.Most
are
vulnerable
to changes
in environmental
pressure.
Most
octopus
are caught
bottomconditions.
trawls,
(U.S. Pacific Albacore
) poleand troll-caught
Dungeness,
King,
and
Stone
Crabs
causing
habitat
damage
and
bycatch
of unwanted
wildlife.
Tunas
are
fast-growing,
prolific
breeders,
and
wide-ranging,
but
many
popuThese crab species
are fairly abundant
thanks
to wisefisheries
management.Crab
fishManagement
and
monitoring
octopus
are weak
lations
remain
depleted.
The traps
low of
bycatch
ers use relatively
low-bycatch
(or pots).associated with pole- and trollcaught
tuna
makes
them
a
better
alternative
to
longline,drift
gillnet,or
pursein many countries.
Catfish,
U.S.-farmed
seine caught
tuna.
(“chunk
white”)
andfishmeal
Skipjack or
Tuna
popuShellfish
filterand
feedBigeye,Yellowfin,
and don’t require
fish(“chunk
oil forlight”)
food. When
lations
areusing
declining
from heavy
Globally,
few regulations
farmed
suspended
bags,fishing
nets, pressure.
or cages—as
opposed
to being
exist
for tuna longline,top
driftour
gillnet,
dredged—mollusks
list. and purse-seine fisheries. These fisheries
also catch
numbers
of starting
marine mammals,
turtles,
sharks, and
young
Please use
thislarge
guide
as a
pointseafor
enjoying
ocean
Mackerels
tunas.
Despite U.S. “Dolphin Safe” standards for the canned tuna market,
Mackerels
grow are
fastnot
andrecovering.
produce
many young,
qualities
thatand
have enabled
friendly
sushi.
Rankings
may
change
over
time
there
TO
OCEAN
FRIENDLY
SEAFOOD
affected
dolphins
Atlantic,
King, available
and Spanish Mackerels
rebound
recently
from depletion.
are more
species
on ourtoWeb
site,
so please
visit
Monkfish
Atlantic, Cero, King*, and Spanish* Mackerels are at healthy levels of abunwww.blueocean.org/sushi
often
for
the
most
up-to-date
Monkfish
are
caught
along
with
other
groundfish
like
Atlantic
Cod
and
dance. Most mackerel fishers use hook-and-line and net gears, with little
Haddock
inMarine
the Northeast
Overfishing,
high
bycatch,
poor
management,
information.
Please
keepU.S.
in
mind
that
Japanese
names
for
bycatch.
mammal
catches
remain
a problem
in the
mid-water
trawl
Blue*,
Snow,
Crabs
and
depletion
alland
mar Tanner
this fishery.
fishery
thatcan
catches
Atlantic
Mackerel.
sushi offerings
sometimes
apply
to multiple
kinds
of
Exploited heavily,
depletion
affects some
populations
of these crab
species.
Sea
Scallops
Tilapia,
U.S.-farmed
fish. Ask
your
chef
if he
or she
knows
whatbiological
fish is
Blue
Crabs
suffer
from
habitat
loss and
pollutionexactly
problems. Certain
While
longer
overfished,controversial
management
measures
forlittle
wild
Sea
Notinno
native
toCrabs—like
the
U.S., tilapia
are freshwater
fish that
require
very
fishtraits
Snow
eggbrooding
for
almost
a year—make
them
particbeing served.
Scallops
inadequately
address
high fishing
Bottom
dredges
and
meal.When
theytoarefishing
raised
in closed
systems
in thecrabs
U.S.
they
have
very lowlow
ularly
vulnerable
pressure.
Fisherspressure.
catch
mainly
with
trawls
used
to catch
Sea Scallops damage habitat, and there is unintended
environmental
impact.
bycatch
traps.
catch of endangered sea turtles, depleted Atlantic Cod, and other groundfish.
Albacore*,
Bigeye*,Yellowfin*,
and as
Skipjack
Tuna,
One scallop
fishery
in
Argentina
is certified
sustainably
managed by the
Wild Alaska
Salmon
canned
or longline-caught
Marine
Stewardship
Council.and fairly healthy habitat, wild Alaskan salmon
With good
management
Diners should
be aware
the
term
tororanges,
is sometimes
Despite
naturallythat
high
fertility
and wide
many
Albacore
Tuna
remainhaving
abundant.There
are concerns,how-ever,that
more
needs
to beused
done
Atlantic
Flounders
and
Soles and Skipjack Tuna
(“chunk
and spawning
Bigeye,Yellowfin,
(“chunk
light”)meat
poputo protect
natural
habitat and toro
to properly
manage
hatcheries.
incorrectly
in white”)
the
U.S.
In
Japanese,
refers
to fatty
Long-term
overfishing
and
high
bycatch
plague
Atlantic
groundfish
fisheries.
lations are declining from heavy fishing pressure. Globally, few regulations
taken from
a tuna,
commonly
from
themost
tuna’s
belly.
These
fatty
Naturally
vulnerable
todrift
fishing
pressure,
Atlantic
flounders
soles
Farmed
Arctic
Char
(Canada,
U.S.)
exist
for tuna
longline,
gillnet,
andIceland,
purse-seine
fisheries.
Theseand
fisheries
remain
depleted.
Summer
an
exception,
rebounding
but
high
Most
Arctic
Char
are
farmed
in land-based
tanks
orisraceways,
soand
there
are
cuts can
come
from
a number
ofmammals,
tuna
species.
In the
U.S.,
also
catch
large
numbers
ofFlounder*,
marine
sea turtles,
sharks,
young
pressureU.S.
threatens
its continued
few problems
with“Dolphin
escapes
and wastewater
is well
treated
tunas.
Despite
Safe”
standards
canned
tuna release.
market,
the termfishing
toro
is sometimes
used
to recovery.
referfor
tothe
tuna
inbefore
general
or
High content
of are
wildnot
fishrecovering.
in
feed remains a concern.
TO OCEAN
FRIENDLY
SEAFOOD
affected
dolphins
Rockfish,
U.S.West
Coast
sometimes
Bluefin
Tuna.
Be sure to ask your chef how the
Rockfish
have
a long lifespan, making them vulnerable to fishing pressure.
Striped
Bass
Monkfish
term toro
is used
to
sureand
you
know
what
you’re
getting.
Despite
improved
management,
conservation
goals
have
been
met and
and
Striped
Bass
aremake
wild-caught*
farmed.
Effective
fisheries
management
Monkfish
are caught
along with
other
groundfish
like not
Atlantic
Cod
many
rockfish
populations
remain
overfished
and
depleted.
helped
wild
BassTuna,
recover
from
severe
depletion
in
the management,
1980s to high
Katsuo:
Skipjack
poleand
troll-caught
Haddock
in
theStriped
Northeast
U.S.
Overfishing,
high
bycatch,
poor
abundance
today.
hybrid
Striped Bass results in few escapes and
Blue*,
Snow,
Tanner
Crabs
and
depletion
alland
marFarming
this
fishery.
Groupers
Skipjack
are
prolific
breeders
and
grow
fast,
minimalTuna
pollution.
However,
their
feed
contains
high
levels
of fishmeal
and
Exploited
heavily,
depletion
affects
some
populations
of these
crabfactors
species.
Generally
long-lived,
many groupers
change
sex with age
and spawn
togethSea
Scallops
that
help
buffer
populations
overfishing.
But
with
fish
oil.
Blue
Crabs
suffer
fromevery
habitat
loss andfrom
pollution
problems.
Certain
biological
er
in
the
same
places
year,making
them
vulnerable
to
overfishing.Most
WhileinnoSnow
longer
overfished,controversial
management
forhalf
wild
Sea
traits
Crabs—like
eggbrooding
for
almost
a year—make
them
particcatches
of
Tuna
accounting
formeasures
almost
of
groupers
soldSkipjack
in the U.S.
come
from
Gulf
of Mexico,
where
management
Scallops
inadequately
address
high the
fishing
pressure.
Bottom
dredges
and
vulnerable
to
fishing
pressure.
Fishers
catch
crabs
mainly
with
lowof
grouper
fisheries
has
historically
been
lacking.
In
U.S.
waters,
Snowy,
theularly
global
tuna
catch,
they
are
only
at
moderate
levels
of
trawls used
to catch Sea Scallops damage habitat, and there is unintended
bycatch
traps.
Warsaw,
Black,Pole
Goliath,sea
and
Nassau
Groupers
arehave
depleted.
abundance.
and
trolldepleted
fisheries
very
low
levels
catch of endangered
turtles,
Atlantic
Cod, and
other
groundfish.
Albacore*,
Bigeye*,Yellowfin*,
and as
Skipjack
Tuna,
One scallop
fishery
in Argentina
is certified
Orange
Roughy
of bycatch
and
cause
no damage
tosustainably
habitat.managed by the
canned
or longline-caught
Marine
Council.
SeverelyStewardship
depleted,
Orange
Roughy don’t mature until they’re at least 20 years
Despite
having
high
fertility andinTuna,
wide
many
Albacore
Tuna
Bin'naga
maguro:
Albacore
U.S.
poleand
old and can
livenaturally
over 100and
years.They
deepranges,
waters
where
habitat-damAtlantic
Flounders
Soles live
(“chunk
white”)
andthem
Bigeye,Yellowfin,
and Skipjack
Tuna
(“chunk
light”) popuaging trawls
catch
when
they
gather
in groups
to feed
or spawn.Fishing
troll-caught
Long-term
overfishing
and
high
bycatch
plague
Atlantic
groundfish
fisheries.
lations
are declining
from
heavyand
fishing
Globally,
few regulations
for Orange
Roughy also
catches
kills pressure.
a number
of threatened
deepsoles
sea
Naturally
vulnerable
fishing
pressure,
most
flounders
Albacore
Tuna
aretopredatory
fish
withAtlantic
a high
reproductive
exist
tuna
longline,
drift
gillnet,
and
purse-seine
fisheries.
Theseand
fisheries
sharkfor
species.
remain
depleted.
Summer
Flounder*,
an
exception,
is
rebounding
butyoung
high
also
catch large
numbers ofthe
marine
mammals,
sea turtles, sharks,
rate
found
throughout
world’s
temperate
and and
tropical
fishing
pressure
threatens
its continued
recovery.
Chilean
Sea U.S.
Bass
tunas.Highly
Despite
“Dolphin
Safe”
standards
for the
canned tuna
market,
seas.
exploited
in the
Atlantic,
Albacore
Really
named
Patagonian
Toothfish,
highNorth
market demand
for this
naturally
affected
dolphins
are notCoast
recovering.
Rockfish,
U.S.West
Tuna
populations
are
at
a
medium
to
high
level
of
long-lived
fish
drives
depletion
and
creates
an
incentive
for
continued
illegal
Rockfish have a long lifespan, making them vulnerable to fishing pressure.
Monkfish
fishing.
One
very
small
Patagonian
Toothfish
fishery
inpolethenot
South
Atlantic
is
abundance
in
other
regions.
Bycatch
in
and
trollDespite
improved
management,
conservation
goals
have
been
met
and
Monkfish
are caught
alongaccording
with other
groundfish
like AtlanticCouncil.
Cod and
being
sustainably
managed
to the
Marine
Stewardship
many rockfish
remain
overfished
and
depleted.
caught
fisheries
is lowU.S.
and
does not
include
endangered
Haddock
in thepopulations
Northeast
Overfishing,
high
bycatch,
poor
management,
Atlantic
and depletion
all marTuna
thisto
fishery.
species,
inBluefin
contrast
longline Albacore fisheries.
Groupers
Highly
valued
by sushi
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna
havetogethbeen
Generally
long-lived,
manyconnoisseurs,
groupers change
sex with
age and
spawn
Sea
Scallops
exploited
heavily
since
the
1970s
and suffer
extreme
Since
Maguro:
Yellowfin
and
Bigeye
Tuna,depletion.
poleand1996,
er in the
same
places
every year,making
them
vulnerable
to overfishing.Most
While
no
longer
overfished,controversial
management
measures
for
wild
Sea
the Worldsold
Conservation
Union
has
listed
western
of
groupers
in the U.S.
come
from
the
Gulf pressure.
ofthe
Mexico,
wherepopulation
management
troll-caught
Scallops
inadequately
high
fishing
Bottom
dredges
and
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna has
asaddress
critically
endangered
and the
eastern
population
of
grouper
fisheries
historically
been
lacking.
In
U.S.
waters,
Snowy,
trawls
used
to
catch
Sea
Scallops
damage
habitat,
and
there
is
unintended
Tunas
are
fast-growing,
prolific
breeders,
and
wideas endangered.
Warsaw,
Black, Goliath,sea
and Nassau
Groupers
are depleted.
catch of endangered
depleted
Atlantic
Cod, and
other groundfish.
ranging,
but many turtles,
populations
remain
depleted.
The
One scallop
fishery in Argentina is certified as sustainably managed by the
Orange
Roughy
lowMarine
bycatch
associated
with
poleand
troll-caught
tuna
Council.
SeverelyStewardship
depleted, Orange
Roughy don’t mature until they’re at least 20 years
makes
better
alternative
to longline-caught tuna.
old andthem
canFlounders
liveaover
100and
years.They
Atlantic
Soles live in deep waters where habitat-damaging
trawlsoverfishing
catch themand
when
they
gatherplague
in groups
to feed
or spawn.Fishing
Long-term
high
bycatch
Atlantic
groundfish
fisheries.
Bin'naga
maguro:
Albacore
Tuna,
longline-caught
for Orangevulnerable
Roughy also
catchespressure,
and kills most
a number
of threatened
deepsoles
sea
Naturally
to fishing
Atlantic
flounders and
Worldwide,
most
Albacore
Tuna
are
caught
using
shark species.
remain
depleted. Summer Flounder*, an exception, is rebounding but high
longlines,
which
incidentally
kill recovery.
high numbers of seabirds,
fishing pressure
threatens
its continued
Chilean
Sea Bass
seaRockfish,
turtles,
sharks,
and
otherhigh
fish.
Really
named
Patagonian
Toothfish,
market demand for this naturally
U.S.West
Coast
long-livedhave
fish drives
and creates
anvulnerable
incentive for
illegal
Rockfish
a longdepletion
lifespan,
them
to continued
fishing pressure.
Maguro:
Yellowfin
and making
Bigeye
Tuna,
longline-caught
fishing.
One
very
small
Patagonian
Toothfish
in thenot
South
is
Despite improved management, conservationfishery
goals have
beenAtlantic
met and
being
sustainably
managed
according
to
the
Marine
Stewardship
Council.
Globally,
few
regulations
exist
for
tuna
longline
fisheries,
many rockfish populations remain overfished and depleted.
�
ly better monitored and regulated.
Maine and Canadian lobster populations today remain abundant. However,
Ika: Squid
North Atlantic
Right Whales, an endangered species, still become entangled
Farmed
Salmon
fish key
�
Exploited heavily, depletion affects some populations of these crab species.
UpdatedCertain
September
2007
Blue Crabs suffer from habitat loss and pollution problems.
biological
traits in Snow Crabs—like eggbrooding for almost a year—make them particularly vulnerable to fishing pressure. Fishers catch crabs mainly with lowbycatch traps. FO
�
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waters crashed in the 1980s from overfishing and remain extremely
depleted today.
THE BLUE OCEAN INSTITUTE GUIDE TO
OCEAN FRIENDLY SEAFOOD
whitefish
Sake: Salmon, Alaska wild
Mahimahi,
pole- and and
troll-caught
With good
management
fairly healthy habitat, wild Alaska
Suzuki: Striped Bass
Striped Bass are wild caught* and hybrids are farmed.
Effective
fisheries
management
helped wild Striped
Blue*, Snow,
and Tanner
Crabs
Bass
recover
severe
in the
1980s
to high
Exploited
heavily,from
depletion
affects depletion
some populations
of these
crab species.
Blue Crabs suffer
from habitat
loss andStriped
pollution problems.
biological
abundance
today.
Farming
Bass Certain
results
in few
traits in Snow Crabs—like eggbrooding for almost a year—make them particescapes
and minimal pollution. However their feed is
ularly vulnerable to fishing pressure. Fishers catch crabs mainly with lowderived
bycatchfrom
traps. wild fish populations.
Mahimahi
grow
fast, live short
lives, and
high however,
fishing pressure.
Salmon
remain
abundant.
There
arewithstand
concerns,
that
Pole and troll fisheries catch Mahimahi with little bycatch compared to longmore line
needs
to
be
done
to
protect
natural
spawning
habitat
fisheries.
and to properly manage hatcheries. This ranking also applies
Bigeye,
to roeAlbacore,
from these
fish.and Yellowfin Tuna,
(U.S. Pacific Albacore
) pole- and troll-caught
Sake:Tunas
Salmon,
farmed
are fast-growing,
prolific breeders, and wide-ranging, but many popu-
remain depleted.
The low
bycatch associated
withinclude
pole- andwater
trollHigh lations
environmental
costs
of farming
salmon
caught tuna makes them a better alternative to longline,drift gillnet,or pursepollution,
spread of diseases to wild fish populations, high
seine caught tuna.
content of wild fish in feed, and overuse of antibiotics. In
American
(“Maine”)
Lobster,
Maineare
andnow
Canada
addition to Atlantic
Salmon,
farmers
raising Chinook
Maine and Canadian lobster populations today remain abundant. However,
and Coho
Salmon.
All
Atlantic
Salmon
sold
the entangled
U.S. are
North Atlantic Right Whales, an endangered species, still in
become
farmed.
Thisfishing
ranking
in lobster
gear. also applies to roe from these fish.
�
salmon
Hirame:
Pacific
Halibut
Albacore*,
Bigeye*,Yellowfin*,
and Skipjack Tuna,
canned
longline-caught
Related
toor
flounders,
Pacific Halibut are far larger. Although
Despite
having
naturally
high
fertility
wide ranges,
AlbacorePacific
Tuna
they
grow
slowly
and
can
liveand
more
than many
50 years,
(“chunk white”) and Bigeye,Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna (“chunk light”) popuHalibut
remain
abundant
due
to
responsible
management
lations are declining from heavy fishing pressure. Globally, few regulations
that
catches
bycatch.
own
existlimits
for tuna annual
longline, drift
gillnet, andand
purse-seine
fisheries. Fishers
These fisheries
shares
of the
annual
catch,
eliminating
the dangerous
also catch
largetotal
numbers
of marine
mammals,
sea turtles, sharks,
and young
tunas. Despite
U.S. competitively.
“Dolphin Safe” standards
for thebycatch,
canned tuna
market,
incentive
to fish
Seabird
especially
Sablefish (Black
Cod) OCEAN INSTITUTE GUIDE TO OCEAN
THE BLUE
SEAFOOD
affected FRIENDLY
dolphins are not recovering.
of
North
Pacific
albatross
species,
is
a
concern
in
the
Alaska
Sablefish are a sustainable alternative to severely depleted Atlantic Cod.
Monkfish
longline
halibut
fishery.
Widespread
adoption
of
better
fishing
practices
successfully
reduced
Amaebi:
Sweet
Shrimp
Monkfish are caught along with other groundfish like Atlantic Cod and
Mahimahi,
poleand troll-caught
bycatch, particularly
benefiting
Short-Tailed Albatrosses.
SweetMahimahi
Shrimp
arefast,
relatively
in thehigh
northern
waters
Hamachi:
Yellowtail,
farmed
Haddock in the
Northeast U.S. U.S.
Overfishing,
high bycatch, poor management,
grow
live short abundant
lives, and withstand
fishing pressure.
Blue*,
Snow,alland
Tanner
Crabs
andYellowtail
depletion
mar
this fishery.
of theSquid
Atlantic
Pacific.
They grow
rapidly,
U.S.
is related
to Japanese Yellowtail and is also
Pole
and trolland
fisheries
catch Mahimahi
with little
bycatchmature
comparedquickly,
to longExploited heavily, depletion affects some populations of these crab species.
Many
squid species exist worldwide. Squid grow fast and often reproduce
line fisheries.
and produce
many young—factors making them relatively
farmed
in suffer
net cages.
There
fewer
pollution
Sea
Scallops
Blue Crabs
from habitat
loss andare
pollution
problems.
Certainconcerns,
biological
before they are a year old, characteristics which help them withstand high
While
longer
overfished,controversial
management
for
Sea
resilient
topressure.Most
fishing
pressure.
Most
Sweet
Shrimp are
caught
however,
because
cages
are for
situated
inmeasures
areasthem
ofwild
deeper
Albacore,
Bigeye,
and
Yellowfin
Tuna,
traits innoSnow
Crabs—like
eggbrooding
almost a year—make
particfishing
are
vulnerable
to changes
in environmental
conditions.
Scallops
inadequately
address
high fishing
pressure.
Bottom
dredges
and of
ularly and
vulnerable
to fishing
pressure.
Fishers
catch crabs
mainly
with lowusingDungeness,
bottom
trawls
substrate
so habitat damage
water
strong
currents,
promoting
the
dispersal
(U.S.
Pacific
Albacore
) poleand troll-caught
King,over
andmuddy
Stone
Crabs
trawls
to catch Sea Scallops damage habitat, and there is unintended
bycatchused
traps.
Tunas crab
arelow.
fast-growing,
prolific
and to
wide-ranging,
but
many popuis relatively
The
use
ofbreeders,
bycatch
reduction
devices
has
waste.
These
species
are fairly
abundant
thanks
wise management.Crab
fishcatch of endangered sea turtles, depleted Atlantic Cod, and other groundfish.
lations
remain bycatch
depleted.
The
low
bycatch
with pole- and trollAlbacore*,
Bigeye*,Yellowfin*,
and as
Skipjack
Tuna,
greatly
reduced
oftraps
depleted
groundfish.
ers
use relatively
low-bycatch
(or pots).associated
One
scallop
fishery
in Argentina
is certified
sustainably
managed by the
Tai: New Zealand
Snapper
caught tuna makes them a better alternative to longline,drift gillnet,or pursecanned
or longline-caught
Marine Stewardship
Council.
Catfish,
U.S.-farmed
seineBay
caught
tuna.
Hotate:
Scallop,
farmed
TaiDespite
Snapper
are
a
commercially
important
fish inTuna
New
having naturally high fertility and wide ranges, many Albacore
Fish
farmersU.S.
raise catfish
the southernsuffer
U.S.in large
earthen
ponds, resulting
Atlantic
Flounders
and Soles
SinceAmerican
native
Bay inScallops
from
depletion,
most
Zealand.
Due
to prudent
fisheries
management
and relative
(“chunk
white”)
and
Bigeye,Yellowfin,
and
Skipjack
Tuna
(“chunk
light”)
popu(“Maine”)
Lobster,
Maine
and
Canada
in some water pollution. But escapes are rare, and catfish require much less
Long-term
overfishing
and high
plague
Atlantic
groundfish
fisheries.
lations areto
declining
from
heavybycatch
fishing
pressure.
Globally,
fewpopulations
regulations
Maine
and
Canadian
populations
today
remain
However,in
Bay fishmeal
Scallops
come
from
coastal
aquaculture
resilience
fishing
pressure,
most
Tai Snapper
and
fish
oil inlobster
their
feed
than
other
farmed
fish. abundant.farms
Naturally
vulnerable
todrift
fishing
pressure,
most Atlantic
flounders
and
soles
exist
for
tuna
longline,
gillnet,
and
purse-seine
fisheries.
These
fisheries
North
Atlantic
Right
Whales,
an
endangered
species,
still
become
entangled
China. There, growers reportedly produce all their scallops
areremain
stable
or recovering
from
previously
overfished
depleted.
SummerofFlounder*,
an their
exception,
is rebounding
butyoung
high
Shrimp,
U.S.-farmed
also catch
large numbers
marine mammals,
sea turtles,
sharks, and
in lobster fishing
gear.
usingFarmed
suspension
methods,
with of
relatively
low
the
status.
Tai
Snapper
arestandards
caught
using
bottom
fishing
pressure
threatens
its continued
recovery.
shrimp require
high amounts
fishmeal and
fishimpact
oil in theirtofood
tunas. Most
Despite
U.S.
“Dolphin
Safe”
for
the canned
tunalonglines,
market,
THEthat
BLUE
OCEAN
INSTITUTE
TO OCEAN
FRIENDLY
SEAFOOD
environment.
aware
some
Calico
Scallops
be
which
can
result
the
incidental catch of seabirds.
Sablefish
(Black
Cod)
compared
toBe
other
farmed
fish
and
shellfish.
U.S. Farmers
usually may
treatGUIDE
disaffected
dolphins
areinnot
recovering.
Rockfish,
U.S.West
Coast
Sablefish
are aScallops.
alternative
severely
depleted
Atlantic Cod.
charged
water
tosustainable
reduce pollution.
labeled
as Bay
Calicos to
are
severely
depleted
and
Rockfish
have
a
long
lifespan,
making them vulnerable to fishing pressure.
Monkfish
Hirame:
Atlantic Flounders
Widespread adoption of better fishing practices successfully reduced
Despite
management,
conservation
goals have
not
beenCod
met and
and
takenLingcod,
with habitat-damaging
dredges.
U.S.West
Coast
Monkfishimproved
areoverfishing
caught
along with
like plague
Atlantic
Mahimahi,
pole- and
troll-caught
Long-term
andother
highgroundfish
bycatch
Atlantic
fold
Highly valued by sushi connoisseurs, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have been
fold
Generally
many groupers
change
sex with qualities
age and spawn
togethgrow
fastlong-lived,
and since
produce
many
young,
that
have
exploited
heavily
theyear,making
1970s
and suffer
depletion.
Since
1996,
er in the same
places every
themextreme
vulnerable
to overfishing.Most
allowed
their
populations
to
rebound
from
depletion
the
World
Conservation
Union
has
listed
the
western
population
of to
groupers sold in the U.S. come from the Gulf of Mexico, where management
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna
as
critically
endangered
and the
eastern
population
healthy
levels
of has
abundance.
Fishing
methods
used
of grouper
fisheries
historically
been
lacking.
In
U.S.
waters,
Snowy, to
as
endangered.
Warsaw,
Black,Mackerel
Goliath, and Nassau
Groupers
are depleted.
catch
most
cause
no habitat
damage and little
bycatch.
Orange Roughy
fold
Severely depleted, Orange Roughy don’t mature until they’re at least 20 years
Sawara:
Spanish Mackerel
old and can live over 100 years.They live in deep waters where habitat-dam-
Spanish
Mackerel
coastal
waters
along
the Eastern
aging trawls
catch theminhabit
when they
gather in groups
to feed
or spawn.Fishing
seaboard
the also
U.S.
andandhave
recovered
from deep
years
for Orangeof
Roughy
catches
kills a number
of threatened
sea of
shark species.to high abundance today. They are important
overfishing
to Chilean
recreational
and commercial fishers. The main fishing
Sea Bass
Really named
Patagonian Toothfish,
highhave
marketno
demand
for thiseffects
naturallyon
methods
for Spanish
Mackerel
adverse
long-lived
fishresult
drives depletion
creates an incentive for continued illegal
habitat
and
in little and
bycatch.
Highly valued by sushi connoisseurs, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have been
fold
fold
fold
fold
fishing. One very small Patagonian Toothfish fishery in the South Atlantic is
being sustainably managed according to the Marine Stewardship Council.
American (“Maine”) Lobster, Maine and Canada
being sustainably managed according to the Marine Stewardship Council.
many rockfish
populations remain overfished and depleted.
Saba:
Mackerel
Atlantic
BluefinAtlantic
Tuna or Chub Mackerel. Both Mackerels
Groupers
Saba
is typically
Despite having naturally high fertility and wide ranges, many Albacore Tuna
(“chunk white”) and Bigeye,Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna (“chunk light”) populations are declining from heavy fishing pressure. Globally, few regulations
exist for tuna longline, drift gillnet, and purse-seine fisheries. These fisheries
also catch large numbers of marine mammals, sea turtles, sharks, and young
tunas. Despite U.S. “Dolphin Safe” standards for the canned tuna market,
affected dolphins are not recovering.
Monkfish
for Orange Roughy also catches and kills a number of threatened deep sea
Naturally vulnerable
to fishing in
pressure,
Atlantic flounders
and soles
Sardines
are abundant
mostmost
temperate
waters
in the
shark
remainspecies.
depleted. Summer Flounder*, an exception, is rebounding but high
Pacific
and
Indian Oceans. They grow rapidly and are eaten
fishing
pressure
threatens
its
continued
recovery.
Chilean Sea Bass
by Really
many
fish,Patagonian
seabirds
and marine mammals. Sardines are
named
Toothfish, high market demand for this naturally
Rockfish,
U.S.West
caught
using
purseCoast
seines,
which
cause forminimal
habitat
long-lived
fish drives
and creates
incentive
illegal
Rockfish have
a longdepletion
lifespan, making
themanvulnerable
to continued
fishing pressure.
damage
andvery
result
in
little conservation
bycatch.
fishing.
small
Patagonian
Toothfish fishery
in thenot
South
is
DespiteOne
improved
management,
goals have
beenAtlantic
met and
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
fold
Monkfish are caught along with other groundfish like Atlantic Cod and
Haddock in the Northeast U.S. Overfishing, high bycatch, poor management,
and depletion all mar this fishery.
Sea Scallops
While no longer overfished,controversial management measures for wild Sea
Scallops inadequately address high fishing pressure. Bottom dredges and
trawls used to catch Sea Scallops damage habitat, and there is unintended
catch of endangered sea turtles, depleted Atlantic Cod, and other groundfish.
One scallop fishery in Argentina is certified as sustainably managed by the
Marine Stewardship Council.
Atlantic Flounders and Soles
Long-term overfishing and high bycatch plague Atlantic groundfish fisheries.
Naturally vulnerable to fishing pressure, most Atlantic flounders and soles
remain depleted. Summer Flounder*, an exception, is rebounding but high
fishing pressure threatens its continued recovery.
Rockfish, U.S.West Coast
Marine Stewardship Council.
Maine and Canadian lobster populations today remain abundant. However,
North Atlantic Right Whales, an endangered species, still become entangled
in lobster fishing gear.
Sablefish (Black Cod)
Sablefish are a sustainable alternative to severely depleted Atlantic Cod.
Widespread adoption of better fishing practices successfully reduced
bycatch, particularly benefiting Short-Tailed Albatrosses.
Squid
Many squid species exist worldwide. Squid grow fast and often reproduce
before they are a year old, characteristics which help them withstand high
fishing pressure.Most are vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions.
Dungeness, King, and Stone Crabs
These crab species are fairly abundant thanks to wise management.Crab fishers use relatively low-bycatch traps (or pots).
Catfish, U.S.-farmed
Fish farmers raise catfish in the southern U.S.in large earthen ponds, resulting
in some water pollution. But escapes are rare, and catfish require much less
fishmeal and fish oil in their feed than other farmed fish.
Shrimp, U.S.-farmed
Farmed shrimp require high amounts of fishmeal and fish oil in their food
compared to other farmed fish and shellfish. U.S. Farmers usually treat discharged water to reduce pollution.
Rockfish have a long lifespan, making them vulnerable to fishing pressure.
Despite improved management, conservation goals have not been met and
many rockfish populations remain overfished and depleted.
Generally long-lived, many groupers change sex with age and spawn together in the same places every year,making them vulnerable to overfishing.Most
groupers sold in the U.S. come from the Gulf of Mexico, where management
of grouper fisheries has historically been lacking. In U.S. waters, Snowy,
Warsaw, Black, Goliath, and Nassau Groupers are depleted.
Groupers
One scallop
fishery in Argentina is certified as sustainably managed by the
Orange
Roughy
aging
trawls
catch themand
when
they
gatherplague
in groups
to feed
or spawn.Fishing
Iwashi:
Sardines
Long-term
overfishing
high
bycatch
Atlantic
groundfish
fisheries.
fold
ways), which spread pollution. Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific
Northwest where the majority of U.S. farms are located.
Lingcod, U.S.West Coast
Despite
having
high
fertility
andor
many
Tuna
old
andin
can
livenaturally
over
100and
years.They
live
inwide
deep
waters
whereAlbacore
habitat-damfarmed
net
cages
with
little
noranges,
treatment
of effluent,
Atlantic
Flounders
Soles
(“chunk
white”)
andthem
Bigeye,Yellowfin,
and Skipjack
Tuna
(“chunk
light”) popuaging
trawls
catch
when
they
gather
in groups
to
feed
or spawn.Fishing
which
can
cause
localized
pollution
and
damaging
red
Long-term
overfishing
and
high
bycatch
plague
Atlantic
groundfish
fisheries.
lations
are declining
from
heavyand
fishing
Globally,
few regulations
for
Orange
Roughy also
catches
kills pressure.
a number
of threatened
deepsoles
sea
Naturally
vulnerable
to
fishing
pressure,
most
Atlantic
flounders
and
tides.
The
biggest
concern,
however,
is
the
dependence
on
exist
for
tuna
longline,
drift
gillnet,
and
purse-seine
fisheries.
These
fisheries
shark species.
remain
depleted.
Summer
an exception,
is rebounding
butyoung
high
also
catch
large to
numbers
ofFlounder*,
marine mammals,
sea turtles,
sharks, and
wild
juveniles
stock
farms.
fishing
pressure
threatens
its
continued
recovery.
Chilean
Sea
Bass
tunas. Despite U.S. “Dolphin Safe” standards for the canned tuna market,
Tai:
Red
Snapper
Really
named
Patagonian
Toothfish, high market demand for this naturally
affected
dolphins
are notCoast
recovering.
Rockfish,
U.S.West
long-lived
fish drives
depletion
and creates
anvulnerable
incentive
for
illegal
Although
true
tai
is
a different
fish,
what some
restaurants
Rockfish
have
a
long
lifespan,
making
them
to continued
fishing
pressure.
Monkfish
fishing.
One
very
small
Patagonian
Toothfish
fishery
in thenot
South
Atlantic
is
Despite
improved
management,
conservation
goals
have
been
met
and
serve
as
tai
is
Red
Snapper,
a
group
comprising
several
Monkfish
are caught
alongaccording
with other
groundfish
like AtlanticCouncil.
Cod and
being
sustainably
managed
to the
Marine
Stewardship
many
rockfish
remain
overfished
and
depleted.
species.
They
generally
grow
slowly
andpoor
have
long life
Haddock
in
thepopulations
Northeast
U.S.
Overfishing,
high
bycatch,
management,
Atlantic
Bluefin
and depletion
all marTuna
this fishery.
Groupers
spans,
making
them
vulnerable to overfishing. Much
Highly valued
by sushi
connoisseurs,
Atlantic
Bluefin
Tuna
havetogethbeen
Generally
long-lived,
many
groupers
change
sexof
with
age and
spawn
remains
unknown
about
the
impact
fisheries
on
snapper
Sea
Scallops
exploited
heavily
since
the
1970s
and
suffer
extreme
depletion.
Since
1996,
er
in the
same
places
every year,making
them
vulnerable
to overfishing.Most
While
no
longer
overfished,controversial
management
measures
for
wild
populations
because
management
and
monitoringSea
the Worldsold
Conservation
Union
has
listed
western
ofare
groupers
in the U.S.
come
from
the
Gulf pressure.
ofthe
Mexico,
wherepopulation
management
Scallops Bluefin
inadequately
high
fishing
Bottom
dredges
and
Atlantic
TunaHowever,
asaddress
critically
endangered
and the
eastern
population
generally
poor.
the
available
fisheries
data
of
grouper
fisheries
has
historically
been
lacking.
In
U.S.
waters,
Snowy,
trawls
used
to
catch
Sea
Scallops
damage
habitat,
and
there
is
unintended
as endangered.
indicates
thatGoliath,
many
snapper
populations
areother
declining.
Warsaw,
Black,
and
Nassau
Groupers
are depleted.
catch of endangered
sea
turtles,
depleted
Atlantic
Cod, and
groundfish.
Severely depleted, Orange Roughy don’t mature until they’re at least 20 years
shiny-skinned
fish
old and canFlounders
live over 100
years.They
Atlantic
and
Soles live in deep waters where habitat-dam-
Feed for Rainbow Trout contains large amounts of fishmeal and fish oil. Most
See listing
under Salmon, farmed.
U.S. Rainbow Trout farmers use freshwater flow-through systems (called race-
Lingcod dwell along the ocean bottom off the U.S. West Coast. Commercial
trawlers that target Lingcod also incidentally catch rockfish, which remains a
problem. While overfished for several years, Lingcod populations are considered to be rebuilt.
of grouper fisheries has historically been lacking. In U.S. waters, Snowy,
trawls
to
catch Sea Scallops
damage habitat,
and there is unintended
bycatchused
traps.
Hamachi:
Yellowtail,
Japanese
Warsaw,
Black,
Goliath,sea
and
Nassau
Groupers
arefarmed
depleted.
catch of endangered
turtles,
depleted
Atlantic
Cod, and other groundfish.
Japanese
Yellowtail
is
one
of
the
most
economically
Albacore*,
Bigeye*,Yellowfin*,
and
Skipjack
Tuna,
One scallop
fishery in Argentina is certified as sustainably
managed
by the
Orange
Roughy
canned
ormarine
longline-caught
important
species
farmed
Japan.
Marine Stewardship
Council.
Severely
depleted,
Orange
Roughy don’t
maturein
until
they’re atYellowtail
least 20 years is
Orange Roughy
live more than 20 years. They are hand-caught by divers so
Pacific Halibut
bycatch
is minimal
with
noand
damage
to the
habitat.
Although
they grow
slowly
can live over
50 years,
Pacific Sea
HalibutUrchins
remain
grazeabundant
kelp and
eaten by
many animals
due are
to responsible
management.
Fishers maylike
ownSea
sharesOtters,
of the
total annualare
catch,an
eliminating
the dangerous
incentive
to fishecosystem.
competitively.
and therefore
important
link in the
marine
Farmed
Rainbow
Ikura:
Salmon
roe,Trout
farmed
Swordfish
many
rockfish
remain
overfished
and
depleted.
Haddock
in thepopulations
Northeast U.S.
Overfishing,
high
bycatch,
poor management,
groundfish
fisheries.
Naturally
Blue*,
Snow,
Crabsvulnerable to fishing pressure,
and depletion
alland
mar Tanner
this fishery.
Groupers
Exploited
heavily,
depletion
affects
populations
ofdepleted.
these
crab species.
most
Atlantic
flounders
andsome
soles
remain
Strong
Generally
long-lived,
many
groupers
change
sex
with age
and spawn
togethSea
Scallops
Blue
Crabs
suffer
fromevery
habitat
lossare
and pollution
problems.
biological
management
measures
helping
Summer
Flounder*
er
in the
same
places
year,making
them
vulnerable
toCertain
overfishing.Most
While
noSnow
longer
overfished,controversial
management
measures
for wild
Sea
traits
in
Crabs—like
eggbrooding
for
almost
a
year—make
them
particgroupers
sold in the U.S.
come from
Gulf of Mexico,Bottom
where management
(fluke)
rebound.
Scallops
inadequately
address
high the
fishing
dredges
and
ularly vulnerable
to fishing
pressure.
Fisherspressure.
catch crabs mainly
with low-
Severely depleted, Orange Roughy don’t mature until they’re at least 20 years
old and can live over 100 years.They live in deep waters where habitat-damaging trawls catch them when they gather in groups to feed or spawn.Fishing
for Orange Roughy also catches and kills a number of threatened deep sea
shark species.
Chilean Sea Bass
roe
Really named Patagonian Toothfish, high market demand for this naturally
long-lived fish drives depletion and creates an incentive for continued illegal
fishing. One very small Patagonian Toothfish fishery in the South Atlantic is
being sustainably managed according to the Marine Stewardship Council.
Highly valued by sushi connoisseurs, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have been
exploited heavily since the 1970s and suffer extreme depletion. Since 1996,
the World Conservation Union has listed the western population of
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna as critically endangered and the eastern population
as endangered.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
healthy
anddepleted.
abundant.
Managers
limit catches
and with
account
bycatch.
lations
remain
The
low
bycatch
associated
pole-for
and
trollTheseare
crab
species
are fairly
abundant
to
wise
manageers
use relatively
low-bycatch
traps
(or
pots). thanks
Albatross
deaths
with
the
widespread
adoption ofgillnet,or
seabird purseavoidcaught tuna
makesdeclined
them a better
alternative
to longline,drift
ment.Catfish,
Crab
fishers
use
relatively
low-bycatch
traps
(or
pots).
ance
U.S.-farmed
seinemeasures.
caught
tuna.
Fish farmers
raise
catfish in wild
the southern U.S.in large earthen ponds, resulting
Hotate:
Sea
Scallop,
American
(“Maine”)
Lobster,
Maine and Canada
Halibut
in some Pacific
water pollution.
But escapes are rare, and catfish require much less
Maine
andthey
Canadian
lobster
populations
today
remain
abundant.
However,
WhileAlthough
no
longer
overfished,
controversial
management
meagrow
slowly
over
50 years,
Pacific
Halibut
remain
fishmeal and fish
oil in
their and
feedcan
thanlive
other
farmed
fish.
North
Atlantic
Right
Whales, anmanagement.
endangered species,
still become
entangled
sures abundant
for wild
Sea
Scallops
inadequately
address
fishing
due
to responsible
Fishers
may
ownhigh
shares
of the
Shrimp,
U.S.-farmed
in lobster
fishing
total
annual
catch,gear.
eliminatingand
the dangerous
incentive
fish competitively.
pressure.
Bottom
dredges
trawls used
to to
catch
Sea ScalFarmed shrimp require high amounts of fishmeal and fish oil in their food
lops damage
habitat,
and
there
is
unintended
catch
oftreat
endanFarmed
Rainbow
Trout
Sablefish
(Black
Cod)
compared to other farmed fish and shellfish. U.S. Farmers usually
disRainbow
Trout contains
large amounts
of
fishmeal
and
fish oil. Most
Sablefish
are atosustainable
alternative
to severely
depleted
Atlantic
Cod.
geredFeed
seafor
turtles,
depleted
Atlantic
Cod,
and
other
groundfish.
charged
water
reduce
pollution.
U.S.
Rainbow Trout
farmers
freshwater
systems (called
raceWidespread
adoption
of use
better
fishingflow-through
practices successfully
reduced
Lingcod,
U.S.West
Coastfarmed
Ebi: Shrimp,
imported,
wild
caught
ways),
spreadbenefiting
pollution.
Rainbow and
Trout
are native
to the Pacific
bycatch,which
particularly
Short-Tailed
Albatrosses.
Lingcod
dwell
along
off are
thelocated.
U.S. West
Coast. Commercial
Northwest
where
thethe
majority
ofbottom
U.S. farms
Bottom
trawls
used
toocean
catch
most
wild
shrimp
damage
Squid
trawlers that target Lingcod also incidentally catch rockfish, which remains a
habitat
and
unintentionally
kill
many
invertebrates,
fish,
and
Swordfish
Many
squid
species
exist
worldwide.
Squid
grow
fast
and
often
reproduce
problem.
While
overfished
for
several
years,
Lingcod
populations
are
considfold
Swordfish
in
thea North
Atlantic
arefarming
showing
recovery
following
before
are
year old,
characteristics
whichsigns
helpofthem
withstand
high
sea turtles.
Coastal
shrimp
ruins
life-supporting
ered
to they
be rebuilt.
stronger
catch
regulations.
Their abundance
appears
healthy
the North
fishing pressure.Most
vulnerable
to changes
in environmental
conditions.
ecosystems
such
as are
mangroves
and causes
waterinpollution.
Pacific, but
their status
is unclear in other parts of the Pacific. Most Swordfish
Pacific
Cod and
Dungeness,
King,
Stone
Crabs
Shrimp
fisheries
and
farms
in
the
U.S.
are
generally
better
are longline-caught,
with their
high bycatch
of albatrosses,Pacific
sea turtles,
and sharks.
Faring
much better than
Atlantic counterparts,
Cod populations
These crab
species
are fairly abundant thanks to wise management.Crab fishmonitored
and
regulated.
are healthy
and
abundant. Managers limit catches and account for bycatch.
ers use relatively low-bycatch traps (or pots).
Albatross deaths declined with the widespread adoption of seabird avoidCatfish,
U.S.-farmed
ance measures.
Fish farmers raise catfish in the southern U.S.in large earthen ponds, resulting
Ikura:
Salmon
roe,
Alaska
wild
Pacific
Halibut
in some
water pollution.
But escapes
are rare, and catfish require much less
Although
theyfish
grow
slowly
can
overfarmed
50 years,
Pacific Halibut remain
fishmealunder
and
oil in
their and
feed
thanlive
other
fish.
See listing
Salmon,
Alaska
wild.
abundant due to responsible management. Fishers may own shares of the
Shrimp,
U.S.-farmed
Masago:
Capelin
roe
total annual catch, eliminating the dangerous incentive to fish competitively.
Farmed shrimp require high amounts of fishmeal and fish oil in their food
Capelin
(a.k.a. Smelt) Trout
live in the northern waters of the Atlantic
Farmed
compared Rainbow
to other farmed fish and shellfish. U.S. Farmers usually treat disand Pacific
andtorepresent
one
the largest
fisheries
the
Feed
for Rainbow
Trout contains
largeof
amounts
of fishmeal
and fish oil.in
Most
charged
water
reduce
pollution.
Rainbow
Troutfast,
farmersreproduce
use freshwaterin
flow-through
systems
world.U.S.
They
grow
3-4 years
and(called
thenracedie.
Lingcod,
U.S.West
Coast Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific
which
pollution.
Most ways),
Capelin
is spread
caught
usingbottom
purse
which
little
Lingcod
dwell
along
ocean
off seines,
thelocated.
U.S. West
Coast.cause
Commercial
Northwest
where
thethe
majority
of U.S. farms
are
habitat
damage
and
produce
limited catch
bycatch.
is an
trawlers
that target
Lingcod
also incidentally
rockfish,Capelin
which remains
a
Swordfish
problem.
While overfished
Lingcod populations
are considimportant
source
of food for
forseveral
manyyears,
seabirds,
marine mammals,
Swordfish
in the North Atlantic are showing signs of recovery following
ered to be rebuilt.
and commercially
important fish species.
stronger catch regulations. Their abundance appears healthy in the North
Pacific
Cod
Pacific, Urchin
but
their status
Uni: Sea
roeis unclear in other parts of the Pacific. Most Swordfish
Faring
much better than
Atlantic counterparts,
Cod populations
are
longline-caught,
with their
high bycatch
of albatrosses,Pacific
sea turtles,
and sharks.
Uni comes
from Green
and Red
Sea Urchins,
which
are
are healthy and abundant. Managers limit catches and account for bycatch.
reasonably
abundant
along
the
coast
of
the
northeastern
Albatross deaths declined with the widespread adoption of seabird avoidPacific.
Urchin species are prolific breeders and can
anceBoth
measures.
Pacific Cod
PacificAlbacore
Cod
(U.S. Pacific
) poleand troll-caught
Dungeness,
King,
and
Stone
Crabs
much
better
than
their
Atlantic
counterparts,
Pacific Cod
populations
Tunas
are
fast-growing,
prolific
breeders,
and wide-ranging,
but
many
popuKani:Faring
King,
Dungeness,
and thanks
Stone
Crabs,
U.S.
These crab species are fairly abundant
to wise
management.Crab
fish-
Faring much better than their Atlantic counterparts, Pacific Cod populations
are healthy and abundant. Managers limit catches and account for bycatch.
Albatross deaths declined with the widespread adoption of seabird avoidance measures.
Pacific Halibut
Although they grow slowly and can live over 50 years, Pacific Halibut remain
abundant due to responsible management. Fishers may own shares of the
total annual catch, eliminating the dangerous incentive to fish competitively.
Farmed Rainbow Trout
Feed for Rainbow Trout contains large amounts of fishmeal and fish oil. Most
U.S. Rainbow Trout farmers use freshwater flow-through systems (called raceways), which spread pollution. Rainbow Trout are native to the Pacific
Northwest where the majority of U.S. farms are located.
Swordfish
Swordfish in the North Atlantic are showing signs of recovery following
stronger catch regulations. Their abundance appears healthy in the North
Pacific, but their status is unclear in other parts of the Pacific. Most Swordfish
are longline-caught, with high bycatch of albatrosses, sea turtles, and sharks.
bycatch, particularly benefiting Short-Tailed Albatrosses.
Lingcod dwell along the ocean bottom off the U.S. West Coast. Commercial
Pole and troll fisheries catch Mahimahi with little bycatch compared to longFarmed
require
amounts
of fishmeal
and
fish oil
Many
squid
species
exist high
worldwide.
Squid Lingcod
grow
fast
and often
reproduce
problem.
While
overfished
for several
years,
populations
are
considline shrimp
fisheries.
before
are a year old,
which
helpand
themshellfish.
withstand high
ered
to they
becompared
rebuilt.
in their
food
tocharacteristics
other farmed
fish
U.S.
Albacore,
Bigeye,
and
Yellowfin
Tuna,
fishing
pressure.Most
are vulnerable towater
changesto
in environmental
conditions.
farmers
usually
treat discharged
decrease pollution.
Mahimahi grow
fast,farmed
live short lives, and withstand high fishing pressure.
Ebi: Shrimp,
U.S.
Squid
trawlers that target
Lingcod also incidentally catch rockfish, which remains a
fold
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shellfish