To give you an idea of how well-managed Alaska’s salmon fishery is, consider this: Biologists are posted at river mouths to count how many wild fish return to spawn. The challenge: You need to do your homework to know how your fish was caught or look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue eco label. These fish have much lower mercury and contaminant ratings and those caught in colder northern waters often have higher omega-3 counts.

The reason: Smaller (usually less than 20 pounds), younger fish are typically caught this way (as opposed to the larger fish caught on longlines). Many tuna are high in mercury but albacore tuna–the kind of white tuna that’s commonly canned–gets a Super Green rating as long as (and this is the clincher) it is “troll- or pole-caught” in the US or British Columbia. Albacore Tuna (troll- or pole-caught, from the US or British Columbia) Many other options are on the program’s list of “ Best Choices.” The Blue Ocean Institute also has sustainability ratings and detailed information.Īccording to Seafood Watch, here are six fish that are healthy for you and the planet.ġ. To make the list, last updated in January 2010, fish must: have low levels of contaminants–below 216 parts per billion mercury and 11 ppb PCBs be high in health-promoting omega-3 fats and come from a sustainable fishery. Knowing what seafood is best for your health and the environment isn’t always easy.įortunately, Seafood Watch, the program run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has combined data from leading health organizations and environmental groups to come up with “Super Green: Best of the Best,” their list of seafood that’s good for you and good for the environment. But then there’s the concern about choosing seafood that’s sustainable. Fish are a lean, healthy source of protein–and the oily kinds, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines–deliver those heart- and brain-healthy omega-3 fats that you should also be getting in your diet. You probably already know that you’re supposed to be eating fish twice a week.

Largemouth bass fishing planet