Any seafood lover will tell you that these fishy dishes can be as healthy as they are delicious. But unfortunately, not all of them are the safest choices for you or good for the environment. To help you make more informed dining decisions, let’s take a look at a few types of seafood you might want to skip next time.
Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Sure, farmed salmon can be tempting because of its convenience and affordability, but it comes with some serious drawbacks. Sadly, these fish are often raised in overcrowded pens and treated with antibiotics and pesticides to control disease. They also contain more unhealthy fats than their wild-caught counterparts.
King Mackerel
Many types of mackerel can be a healthy addition to your diet, but king mackerel is one you’ll usually want to avoid. It’s high in mercury, which can accumulate in your body over time and lead to health issues. If you’re looking for alternatives, smaller varieties like Atlantic mackerel are a whole lot safer.
Imported Shrimp
A lot of imported shrimp comes from countries with lax regulations, leading to unsustainable farming practices and pollution problems. The other sad thing is that mangrove forests are often destroyed to create shrimp farms, which harms the surrounding ecosystems.
Orange Roughy
While this bright-colored fish might look appetizing, looks can be deceiving. The orange roughy is a deep-sea fish that lives for decades, which means it accumulates high levels of mercury over its lifespan. It can be safe to eat in moderation, but too much can be harmful, especially for pregnant women and children.
Another factor worth considering is that overfishing has pushed orange roughy populations to dangerously low levels.
Bluefin Tuna
If you’re a big fan of sushi, you’re probably pretty familiar with bluefin tuna. But did you know that this fish is one of the most overfished species on the planet? Its population has declined dramatically due to high demand. What’s more, like the orange roughy, it’s very high in mercury, meaning it’s not great for your health if you eat it regularly.
Chilean Sea Bass
Chilean sea bass is often marketed as a luxury fish, but the reality is much less glamorous. Like many others on this list, it’s heavily overfished, and the methods used to catch it often result in bycatch, including endangered species that deserve our protection.
Shark
As a lot of people know by now, shark meat isn’t just bad for your health—it’s bad for the oceans. Sharks often contain dangerously high levels of mercury because they’re right at the top of the food chain (and eat a bunch of other high-mercury fish). Overfishing also threatens shark populations, which are crucial for maintaining our marine ecosystems.
Tilefish
While tilefish might look appealing, it actually ranks among the fish with the highest mercury levels in the world. If you eat a lot, you could be putting yourself at risk of some serious health issues, particularly for children and pregnant women.
Swordfish
Swordfish is a popular choice among seafood fanatics, and for good reason. The rich, meaty texture is hard to resist, but its mercury content is a pretty big red flag. Larger swordfish tend to have even higher levels, which can be harmful if eaten frequently. While it can be okay to eat sometimes, it’s important to enjoy in moderation.
Imported Catfish
U.S. catfish is usually fine to eat, but those imported from countries like Vietnam often come from farms with less strict standards and regulations, meaning they may be at risk of contamination by harmful chemicals. If you’re a fan of catfish, double-check the label to ensure you’re making a safe choice.
Eel (Unagi)
Eel is a big favorite among sushi lovers, but sadly, its population is under severe pressure due to overfishing. Farming practices exacerbate this problem even further, as they rely on capturing wild juveniles, which further depletes their numbers. It’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly to go for safely-farmed fish like trout.
Grouper
Because the grouper is a slow-growing fish, it’s even more vulnerable to overfishing, meaning it’s not the best thing to eat regularly.
What’s more, it’s often linked to ciguatera poisoning, a toxin that can cause some gnarly digestive and neurological issues.
Monkfish
A lot of people find monkfish a delicious seafood option that tastes pretty similar to lobster. However, it’s often caught using methods that are harmful to our marine ecosystems. For example, the trawl nets used for catching monkfish can damage ocean floors and trap other species.
Wild Caviar
If you want an extra touch of luxury in your seafood dish, wild caviar may sound like the perfect option. But sadly, it’s far from sustainable, as sturgeon populations have been decimated by overfishing and habitat loss.
If you can’t resist the appeal of caviar, farmed varieties are a much better option, offering the same indulgent experience without contributing to this growing problem.
Imported King Crab
King crabs are huge and brightly colored, so it’s no surprise that a lot of diners are drawn to them. Unfortunately, imported king crab often comes from poorly managed fisheries, which can lead to overfishing and environmental damage. But the good news is that domestic king crab, like Alaskan varieties, is significantly more sustainable and follows stricter harvesting regulations.
Butterfish
Butterfish sounds pretty appetizing, right? The only problem is that these fish are sometimes mislabeled, and what you’re actually eating could be escolar—a fish known to cause digestive issues in many people. If you know that you’re sensitive to escolar or want to be on the safe side, you might want to stick with better-labeled options like haddock or sole.
Pacific Blue Marlin
Yet another fish that’s high in mercury is Pacific blue marlin, making it a risky choice for regular meals. It’s also facing overfishing issues, so it’s not the best option if you care about sustainability either. If you love the taste of marlin but want to avoid these issues, try switching to mahi-mahi or wahoo, as these are more sustainable and healthier fish.