Good Fish Guide
Your guide to sustainable seafood
You can play a key role in securing the future of our seas and marine wildlife by making more environmentally responsible choices when buying seafood.
Our seas face a wide range of threats - click to expand
Our seas face a wide range of threats. Climate change, pollution, habitat and biodiversity loss are all impacting our seas; plus 90% of global fish stocks are either fully or over-exploited. All these factors combined mean that urgent action is needed to restore the health of our seas. Fish farming (aquaculture) is rapidly expanding to meet increasing demand for seafood, but if this is done badly it can also damage the environment and exacerbate these other problems.
Use the Good Fish Guide to find out which fish are the most sustainable (Green rated), and which are the least sustainable (Red rated). Make the right choice and reduce your impact – every purchase matters! Find out more about our seafood work, including how we develop our seafood ratings, plus sustainable seafood recipes and more.
You searched for ""
Abalone
Haliotis discus hannai; Haliotis tuberculata
Abalone can be farmed on land in aquaculture systems that are enclosed, referred to as "recirculating systems", which means that all water and waste are contained. Abalone graze on seaweeds for food. As there are no environmental … Read more interactions and no depletion of resources for food this makes abalone a really sustainable seafood choice.
info
Production country — Ireland
Production method — Recirculating system
info
Production country — France
Production method — Open water crate
Certification — Organic certification
info
Anchovy, European anchovy
Engraulis encrasicolus
The sustainability of European anchovies varies. Check the label for where they are caught, Bay of Biscay anchovies are the Best Choice! European anchovies caught in Atlantic Iberian waters or Northwest Africa (such as Morocco or … Read more Mauritania) are OK, but fishing here is not as well controlled.
info
Capture method — Purse seine
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Bay of Biscay
Stock detail — 8
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Pelagic trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Bay of Biscay
Stock detail — 8
info
Capture method — Purse seine
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Bay of Biscay
Stock detail — 8
info
Anchovy, Peruvian anchovy
Engraulis ringens
Sustainability of anchovies from Chile and Peru can vary depending on where they are caught. The Best Choice are anchovies from southern Peru/northern Chile. Check the product label for this information. Most of these fish are caught to … Read more make fish food, but some can end up on your plate too. Anchovy populations can fluctuate dramatically due to environmental variability such as El Nino. This could impact the sustainability of these fish each year.
info
Capture method — Seine nets
Capture area — South East Pacific (FAO 87)
Stock area — Southern Peru/Northern Chile stock
Stock detail — Peru (Southern) and Chile (Northern): 15, 1, 2
info
Arctic char
Salvelinus alpinus
Land based farmed Arctic char is a good choice to make when looking for an oily fish. The use of land based production systems addresses many issues of environmental concern that can be associated with farmed fish production. Artic charr … Read more has a lower requirement for fish in its diet compared to other salmonid species and in UK and Icelandic production responsibly sourced feed is used.
info
Production country — UK
Production method — Land based flow through and recirculating systems.
info
Basa, Tra, Catfish or Vietnamese River Cobbler
Pangasius bocourti & Pangasius hypophthalmus
In general there are a number of issues of environmental concern associated with production, these include: habitat alteration; nutrient and organic pollution; escapes; interactions with local wildlife and enforcement of regulations. … Read more Pangasius is a an omnivore and as such is not heavily reliant on marine proteins and oils to form part of its diet, however the fish used to produce the feed is currently not certified as being responsibly managed or sustainable. It is only by sourcing certified pangasius that you can be assured that the issues of critical environmental concern are being addressed.
info
Production country — Vietnam
Production method — Ponds
Certification — Global Aquaculture Alliance Best Aquaculture Practice (GAA BAP) 3*
info
Production country — Vietnam
Production method — Ponds
Certification — GLOBALG.A.P.
info
Production country — Global
Production method — Ponds
Certification — Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
info
Clam, Manila (Farmed)
Ruditapes philippinarium
All Manila clams in the UK are progeny of broodstock imported from the west coast of USA. They are grown in trays on trestles in the sea before planting out in ground plots or seabed. Only a small number of Manila clams are farmed for the … Read more table in UK (5 tonnes, 2012), the biggest production is seed for ongrowing. Clams may be harvested by manual digging or raking, or by mechanical methods, e.g. suction or hydraulic dredge. Manual harvesting methods cause less disturbance to sediment than mechanical methods. Shellfish farming is a low-impact method of producing farmed seafood and high quality water standards are required for cultivation of shellfish for human consumption.
info
Production country — UK
Production method — Bottom culture
info
Cod, Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
There are a many different Atlantic cod populations and whilst some are being well managed and are in a healthy state, many others are in a poor state, particularly around the UK. Many of the well managed fisheries are certified as … Read more sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) which can be identified in shops and on menus by a blue ecolabel with a white tick. Avoid eating cod from stocks which are depleted and where fishing is at unsustainable levels.
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Gill or fixed net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic (Barents and Norwegian Sea)
Stock detail — 1, 2
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic (Barents and Norwegian Sea)
Stock detail — 1, 2
info
Cod, Pacific Cod
Gadus macrocephalus
Pacific cod is fished throughout the east and west North Pacific Ocean in both targeted and non-targeted fisheries, using a range of gear types, including: demersal trawl, gill net, seine and longline. The best options are the fisheries … Read more that have been certified against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.
info
Capture method — Pot or creel
Capture area — North East Pacific (FAO 67)
Stock area — Alaska
Stock detail — Bering Sea
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Pacific (FAO 67)
Stock area — Alaska
Stock detail — Bering Sea
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Pacific (FAO 67)
Stock area — Alaska
Stock detail — Bering Sea
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North West Pacific (FAO 61)
Stock area — Russia
Stock detail — Bering Sea (West) and Chukotskaya, Karaginskaya & Petropavlovsko-Komandorskaya subzones
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal seine net
Capture area — North West Pacific (FAO 61)
Stock area — Russia
Stock detail — Bering Sea (West) and Chukotskaya, Karaginskaya & Petropavlovsko-Komandorskaya subzones
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North West Pacific (FAO 61)
Stock area — Russia
Stock detail — Bering Sea (West) and Chukotskaya, Karaginskaya & Petropavlovsko-Komandorskaya subzones
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Pacific (FAO 67)
Stock area — Alaska
Stock detail — Aleutian Islands
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Pot or creel
Capture area — North East Pacific (FAO 67)
Stock area — Alaska
Stock detail — Aleutian Islands
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Coley, Saithe
Pollachius virens
Coley or saithe is generally a good choice. The best options are from Iceland and the North East Arctic, where they are not overfished, and are not subject to overfishing. Avoid eating immature saithe below about 60cm. Look out for MSC … Read more certified options, a number of which are available - these fisheries are required to reduce bycatch of vulnerable species and minimise the impacts of fishing gear on seabed species and habitats.
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Gill or fixed net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Purse seine
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
info
Capture method — Gill or fixed net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Faroes grounds
Stock detail — 5b
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Crab, brown or edible
Cancer pagurus
Brown crab sustainability varies. The Best Choice is MSC certified from Shetland. All other brown crabs are an OK choice, but improvements are needed to control how many are being caught. Avoid eating crabs below the minimum landing size … Read more (13-14cm in most areas of the UK) and crab claws, unless it is certain they have been removed from the crab after landing. Egg-bearing or “berried” females should be avoided at all times to allow them to spawn.
info
Capture method — Pot or creel
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Scotland
Stock detail — Shetland
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Dab
Limanda limanda
Dab are a relatively abundant species of flatfish which provide a more sustainable alternative to more vulnerable, longer-lived and overfished species of flatfish such as plaice. It is mostly taken as bycatch in trawl fisheries and often … Read more discarded because of its low market value. More demand for the species would increase its value and help to reduce this. More comprehensive management and data collection is required for the sustainability of the fishery in the long term. Choose dab caught using seine nets where possible, as this is the more sustainable option for catching the species and produces a better quality product. Avoid eating immature fish below about 20 cm and fresh (not previously frozen) fish caught during or prior to the breeding season (April -June).
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat
Stock detail — 4, 3a
info
Capture method — Seine net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat
Stock detail — 4, 3a
info
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Haddock from UK seas, the Northeast Arctic, and Iceland are at healthy or sustainable levels and being fished sustainably. When buying longline-caught haddock, ask for fish caught using 'seabird-friendly' methods. Avoid eating immature … Read more fish, below 30 cm.
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl and seine
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, West of Scotland, Skagerrak
Stock detail — 4, 6a, 3a.20
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, West of Scotland, Skagerrak
Stock detail — 4, 6a, 3a.20
info
Capture method — Demersal seine net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, West of Scotland, Skagerrak
Stock detail — 4, 6a, 3a.20
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal seine net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Iceland
Stock detail — 5a
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Rockall
Stock detail — 6b
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Rockall
Stock detail — 6b
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Irish Sea
Stock detail — 7a
info
Capture method — Pelagic trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Irish Sea
Stock detail — 7a
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, West of Scotland, Skagerrak
Stock detail — 4, 6a, 3a.20
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Rockall
Stock detail — 6b
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Northeast Arctic
Stock detail — 1, 2
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Hake, European
Merluccius merluccius
There are two main stocks for European hake - a northern and a southern one. The biomass for the northern stock has recovered from depleted levels following good management and is now at a record high. Fishing effort on the southern stock … Read more however remains too high. Avoid eating immature fish below about 50cms, and if eating them fresh from the water, avoid their breeding season, February to July. The Cornish hake gill net fishery was certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as a sustainable fishery in June 2015.
info
Capture method — Gill or fixed net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Cornwall
Stock detail — 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay (north). Northern Stock.
Stock detail — 3a, 4, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 8d
info
Capture method — Longline
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay (north). Northern Stock.
Stock detail — 3a, 4, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 8d
info
Capture method — Gill or fixed net
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay (north). Northern Stock.
Stock detail — 3a, 4, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 8d
info
Capture method — Demersal otter trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Cornwall
Stock detail — 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h
info
Halibut, Atlantic (Farmed)
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Atlantic halibut is widely farmed although in small quantities compared to other species. Unlike salmon and cod, halibut can be farmed in closed tanks as well as in open pens. Choose halibut farmed in closed, shore based production systems … Read more such as those used in Scotland, as environmental impacts of production are mitigated. Halibut do have a large dependency on fish to form the majority of their diet, and the fish required to make their feed cannot be assured to come from a sustainable supply. Scottish production is independently addressing this feed concern making it a good choice.
info
Production country — UK
Production method — Onshore open circuit system
info
Herring or sild
Clupea harengus
The sustainability of herring varies significantly depending on which population it comes from and MCS recommends checking labels for catch locations. The best choice is from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fishery in the … Read more southern Irish Sea.
info
Capture method — Pelagic trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Irish Sea (North)
Stock detail — 7a (North)
Certification — Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
info
Capture method — Pelagic trawl
Capture area — North East Atlantic (FAO 27)
Stock area — Irish Sea (North)
Stock detail — 7a (North)
info
