references
Brian Clement, Ph.D., NMD, LN; Co-Director, Hippocrates Health Institute and Author, "Killer Fish: How Eating Aquatic Life Endangers Your Health"; West Palm Beach, Fla.
Frankie Terzoli, Director of Sustainability at Frequentz and Celebrity Chef; Del Mar, Calif.
Bruce Ailion; Realtor, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta; Atlanta, Ga.
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1 of 17
Overview
Eating seafood is supposed to be healthy -- right? Well, that depends. "Marine pollutants pose increased risks to environmental and human health," says Brian Clement, author of "Killer Fish: How Eating Aquatic Life Endangers Your Health" and co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute. Some fish are contaminated with metals, industrial chemicals, pesticides and parasites, which can be detrimental to our health and surrounding environment. Other risks include foodborne illnesses and fraudulent marketing practices. In addition, unsustainable fishing practices have a significant impact on our marine ecosystem. Many species are severely overfished, or become bycatch, which is the incidental capture and death (and waste) of non-target fish and other marine animals during commercial fishing. Global bycatch is estimated to be about 40 percent of the world's total catch -- totaling 63 billion tons. Which are the fish that are most essential to avoid eating? Read on...
Image Credit: Image Source White
3 of 17
1. Wild Chilean Sea Bass
If you want to eat this fish, be very choosy about where it comes from. Chilean sea bass has high levels of mercury and should only be consumed twice per month by adults (assuming no other contaminated fish are consumed). It's also threatened by overfishing. Chilean sea bass is in high demand but global stocks are shrinking. In particular, stay away from those from the Crozet Islands, Prince Edward and Marion Islands, and Chile, where overfishing is rampant. In addition, these places have no recognized stock assessment and other species are often caught and threatened as part of the harvest. As an alternative, choose longline-caught Chilean sea bass from Macquarie Island in the South Pacific, the Falkland Islands, off the coast of Argentina, or the remote Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands. Also look for the blue eco-label of the MSC for certified sustainable products.
Image Credit: Foobaz/WikimediaCommons
5 of 17
3. Orange Roughy
Orange roughy can live up to 100 years but despite being one of the longest-living fish, the global stock of orange roughy is low due to their slow reproductive cycle and overfishing. "Although ocean fishing has become extremely regulated, stock has not recovered from the boom in popularity of this fish," says chef Frankie Terzoli. The orange roughy has been given the "Avoid" ranking by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch because of overfishing and the damaging trawling method that fishermen use. Additionally, the Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory, warning of high mercury levels in orange roughy.
Image Credit: Animalparty/Flickr
7 of 17
5. King Mackerel (Instead Choose Atlantic Mackerel)
This fish should be avoided completely. King Mackerel has some of the highest levels of mercury. The EPA recommends that woman and children avoid entirely and men should consume less than one serving per month (assuming no other contaminated fish are consumed). Why take the risk? As an alternative, Atlantic mackerel is low in mercury levels and has earned a "Best Choice" eco-rating from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.
Image Credit: Mark Lewis/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
11 of 17
9. Bluefin Tuna
Most types of tuna, including yellowfin, albacore, blackfin, bigeye and light tuna contain moderate to high levels of mercury. Bluefin tuna has elevated levels as well but it also scores poorly in eco-friendliness. Longlines are the most common method of catching and this results in high numbers of bycatch. Also, because of the high demand of bluefin tuna (mostly for sushi), the species has been greatly overfished. These fish grow to an average of 500 pounds and are slower to mature -- they're often caught before they've had a chance to reproduce.
Image Credit: cheekylorns/iStock/Getty Images
13 of 17
11. Caviar (Paddlefish, Shovelnose and Mississippi River Sturgeon)
Caviar is the roe, or eggs, of the fish. Black caviar is harvested from sturgeon, which is greatly overfished. "These gentle prehistoric giants have survived for millions of years unchanged, but due to the high demand for their eggs they are almost extinct," says Frankie Terzoli. Paddlefish and sturgeon are "long-lived, slow-growing fish that reproduce late in life," which increases their risk of overfishing according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.
Image Credit: Maximilian Stock Ltd./Photolibrary/Getty Images
14 of 17
12. Mahi Mahi
Seafood lovers should proceed with caution when it comes to mahi mahi. This fish can cause histamine poisoning, or scombroid poisoning. If not refrigerated properly, bacteria breaks down the amino acid histidine in the fish, forming histamine, which can cause an illness that resembles an allergic reaction. "This fish is a histamine producer if not cared for throughout the supply chain," says chef Frankie Terzoli. Some mahi mahi with unusually high levels of histamine will not appear spoiled at all, while others may have a bad odor or a honeycombed appearance when cooked. Other fish that can cause scrombroid poisoning include tuna, mackerel, skipjack and bonito. Buying from reputable sellers may lower the chance of contracting the illness.
Image Credit: Doug Perrine/Photolibrary/Getty Images
1 of 17
Overview
Eating seafood is supposed to be healthy -- right? Well, that depends. "Marine pollutants pose increased risks to environmental and human health," says Brian Clement, author of "Killer Fish: How Eating Aquatic Life Endangers Your Health" and co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute. Some fish are contaminated with metals, industrial chemicals, pesticides and parasites, which can be detrimental to our health and surrounding environment. Other risks include foodborne illnesses and fraudulent marketing practices. In addition, unsustainable fishing practices have a significant impact on our marine ecosystem. Many species are severely overfished, or become bycatch, which is the incidental capture and death (and waste) of non-target fish and other marine animals during commercial fishing. Global bycatch is estimated to be about 40 percent of the world's total catch -- totaling 63 billion tons. Which are the fish that are most essential to avoid eating? Read on...
Image Credit: Image Source White
Overview
Eating seafood is supposed to be healthy – right? Well, that depends. “Marine pollutants pose increased risks to environmental and human health,” says Brian Clement, author of “Killer Fish: How Eating Aquatic Life Endangers Your Health” and co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute. Some fish are contaminated with metals, industrial chemicals, pesticides and parasites, which can be detrimental to our health and surrounding environment. Other risks include foodborne illnesses and fraudulent marketing practices. In addition, unsustainable fishing practices have a significant impact on our marine ecosystem. Many species are severely overfished, or become bycatch, which is the incidental capture and death (and waste) of non-target fish and other marine animals during commercial fishing. Global bycatch is estimated to be about 40 percent of the world’s total catch – totaling 63 billion tons. Which are the fish that are most essential to avoid eating? Read on…
Image Credit: Image Source White
Fish Buying Guide
Image Credit: MeinzahniStockGetty-Images
3 of 17
1. Wild Chilean Sea Bass
If you want to eat this fish, be very choosy about where it comes from. Chilean sea bass has high levels of mercury and should only be consumed twice per month by adults (assuming no other contaminated fish are consumed). It's also threatened by overfishing. Chilean sea bass is in high demand but global stocks are shrinking. In particular, stay away from those from the Crozet Islands, Prince Edward and Marion Islands, and Chile, where overfishing is rampant. In addition, these places have no recognized stock assessment and other species are often caught and threatened as part of the harvest. As an alternative, choose longline-caught Chilean sea bass from Macquarie Island in the South Pacific, the Falkland Islands, off the coast of Argentina, or the remote Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands. Also look for the blue eco-label of the MSC for certified sustainable products.
Image Credit: Foobaz/WikimediaCommons
1. Wild Chilean Sea Bass
If you want to eat this fish, be very choosy about where it comes from. Chilean sea bass has high levels of mercury and should only be consumed twice per month by adults (assuming no other contaminated fish are consumed). It’s also threatened by overfishing. Chilean sea bass is in high demand but global stocks are shrinking. In particular, stay away from those from the Crozet Islands, Prince Edward and Marion Islands, and Chile, where overfishing is rampant. In addition, these places have no recognized stock assessment and other species are often caught and threatened as part of the harvest. As an alternative, choose longline-caught Chilean sea bass from Macquarie Island in the South Pacific, the Falkland Islands, off the coast of Argentina, or the remote Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands. Also look for the blue eco-label of the MSC for certified sustainable products.
Image Credit: Foobaz/WikimediaCommons
2. Tilefish
Image Credit: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images
5 of 17
3. Orange Roughy
Orange roughy can live up to 100 years but despite being one of the longest-living fish, the global stock of orange roughy is low due to their slow reproductive cycle and overfishing. "Although ocean fishing has become extremely regulated, stock has not recovered from the boom in popularity of this fish," says chef Frankie Terzoli. The orange roughy has been given the "Avoid" ranking by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch because of overfishing and the damaging trawling method that fishermen use. Additionally, the Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory, warning of high mercury levels in orange roughy.
Image Credit: Animalparty/Flickr
3. Orange Roughy
Orange roughy can live up to 100 years but despite being one of the longest-living fish, the global stock of orange roughy is low due to their slow reproductive cycle and overfishing. “Although ocean fishing has become extremely regulated, stock has not recovered from the boom in popularity of this fish,” says chef Frankie Terzoli. The orange roughy has been given the “Avoid” ranking by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch because of overfishing and the damaging trawling method that fishermen use. Additionally, the Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory, warning of high mercury levels in orange roughy.
Image Credit: Animalparty/Flickr
4. Shark
Image Credit: jules1989/iStock/Getty Images
7 of 17
5. King Mackerel (Instead Choose Atlantic Mackerel)
This fish should be avoided completely. King Mackerel has some of the highest levels of mercury. The EPA recommends that woman and children avoid entirely and men should consume less than one serving per month (assuming no other contaminated fish are consumed). Why take the risk? As an alternative, Atlantic mackerel is low in mercury levels and has earned a "Best Choice" eco-rating from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.
Image Credit: Mark Lewis/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
5. King Mackerel (Instead Choose Atlantic Mackerel)
This fish should be avoided completely. King Mackerel has some of the highest levels of mercury. The EPA recommends that woman and children avoid entirely and men should consume less than one serving per month (assuming no other contaminated fish are consumed). Why take the risk? As an alternative, Atlantic mackerel is low in mercury levels and has earned a “Best Choice” eco-rating from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.
Image Credit: Mark Lewis/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
6. Atlantic Cod
Image Credit: Dorling Kindersley/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images
7. Swordfish
Image Credit: Jeff Rotman/Photolibrary/Getty Images
8. Escolar
Image Credit: Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa
11 of 17
9. Bluefin Tuna
Most types of tuna, including yellowfin, albacore, blackfin, bigeye and light tuna contain moderate to high levels of mercury. Bluefin tuna has elevated levels as well but it also scores poorly in eco-friendliness. Longlines are the most common method of catching and this results in high numbers of bycatch. Also, because of the high demand of bluefin tuna (mostly for sushi), the species has been greatly overfished. These fish grow to an average of 500 pounds and are slower to mature -- they're often caught before they've had a chance to reproduce.
Image Credit: cheekylorns/iStock/Getty Images
9. Bluefin Tuna
Most types of tuna, including yellowfin, albacore, blackfin, bigeye and light tuna contain moderate to high levels of mercury. Bluefin tuna has elevated levels as well but it also scores poorly in eco-friendliness. Longlines are the most common method of catching and this results in high numbers of bycatch. Also, because of the high demand of bluefin tuna (mostly for sushi), the species has been greatly overfished. These fish grow to an average of 500 pounds and are slower to mature – they’re often caught before they’ve had a chance to reproduce.
Image Credit: cheekylorns/iStock/Getty Images
10. Red Snapper (Wild, U.S. South Atlantic)
Image Credit: Rainervon Brandis/iStock
13 of 17
11. Caviar (Paddlefish, Shovelnose and Mississippi River Sturgeon)
Caviar is the roe, or eggs, of the fish. Black caviar is harvested from sturgeon, which is greatly overfished. "These gentle prehistoric giants have survived for millions of years unchanged, but due to the high demand for their eggs they are almost extinct," says Frankie Terzoli. Paddlefish and sturgeon are "long-lived, slow-growing fish that reproduce late in life," which increases their risk of overfishing according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.
Image Credit: Maximilian Stock Ltd./Photolibrary/Getty Images
11. Caviar (Paddlefish, Shovelnose and Mississippi River Sturgeon)
Caviar is the roe, or eggs, of the fish. Black caviar is harvested from sturgeon, which is greatly overfished. “These gentle prehistoric giants have survived for millions of years unchanged, but due to the high demand for their eggs they are almost extinct,” says Frankie Terzoli. Paddlefish and sturgeon are “long-lived, slow-growing fish that reproduce late in life,” which increases their risk of overfishing according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.
Image Credit: Maximilian Stock Ltd./Photolibrary/Getty Images
14 of 17
12. Mahi Mahi
Seafood lovers should proceed with caution when it comes to mahi mahi. This fish can cause histamine poisoning, or scombroid poisoning. If not refrigerated properly, bacteria breaks down the amino acid histidine in the fish, forming histamine, which can cause an illness that resembles an allergic reaction. "This fish is a histamine producer if not cared for throughout the supply chain," says chef Frankie Terzoli. Some mahi mahi with unusually high levels of histamine will not appear spoiled at all, while others may have a bad odor or a honeycombed appearance when cooked. Other fish that can cause scrombroid poisoning include tuna, mackerel, skipjack and bonito. Buying from reputable sellers may lower the chance of contracting the illness.
Image Credit: Doug Perrine/Photolibrary/Getty Images
12. Mahi Mahi
Seafood lovers should proceed with caution when it comes to mahi mahi. This fish can cause histamine poisoning, or scombroid poisoning. If not refrigerated properly, bacteria breaks down the amino acid histidine in the fish, forming histamine, which can cause an illness that resembles an allergic reaction. “This fish is a histamine producer if not cared for throughout the supply chain,” says chef Frankie Terzoli. Some mahi mahi with unusually high levels of histamine will not appear spoiled at all, while others may have a bad odor or a honeycombed appearance when cooked. Other fish that can cause scrombroid poisoning include tuna, mackerel, skipjack and bonito. Buying from reputable sellers may lower the chance of contracting the illness.
Image Credit: Doug Perrine/Photolibrary/Getty Images
13. Grocery Store Tuna Sushi Rolls and Seafood Trays
Image Credit: smirart/iStock/Getty Images
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Image Credit: Thinglass/iStock/Getty Images
Brian Clement, Ph.D., NMD, LN; Co-Director, Hippocrates Health Institute and Author, "Killer Fish: How Eating Aquatic Life Endangers Your Health"; West Palm Beach, Fla.
Frankie Terzoli, Director of Sustainability at Frequentz and Celebrity Chef; Del Mar, Calif.
Bruce Ailion; Realtor, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta; Atlanta, Ga.
