Enangered Species
 In the simplest terms, overfishing is a non-sustainable use of the oceans, triggered by catching too much of a particular type of fish, which leads to an overall degradation of the system. Across the globe, fishing fleets are now two to three times larger than what our waters can sustain and support, and on top of that, some fishing methods have a domino effect of sorts, with practices and gear causing destruction on species that aren’t even the primary target.
There are many ways to make a difference and help curb this crisis, from sharing information about the issue with family and friends to reaching out to your elected officials and asking for their support. If you do eat fish, find out which popular seafood choices have less of an impact on the system, and which ones to avoid by using our guide below.
| Caviar |
BEST: Sturgeon and Paddlefish Roe, U.S. Farmed
AVOID: All imported, wild-caught (including beluga, osetra and sevruga)
Though often associated with the rich and famous, caviar is nothing more than salted sturgeon eggs. However, the majority comes from the Caspian Sea, where sturgeons are in grave danger of extinction as a result of overfishing and water pollution. As a result, the U.S. has banned the import of beluga caviar among others, but if you still need a "champagne wishes and caviar dreams" fix, opt for U.S.-farmed white sturgeon and paddlefish instead.
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| Crab |
BEST: Dungeness or stone
AVOID: king, imported only
Native to the Pacific coast, Dungeness crabs are considered to be the most eco-friendly option, as they are caught with traps that allow fishermen to release any bycatch unharmed. Additionally, Dungeness crab fisheries employ a comprehensive management system, allowing capture of only mature males of a certain size in order to protect and sustain future populations and supply. While U.S. king crab fishing is well managed, batches imported from Russia continue to wreak havoc on the environment and should be avoided.
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| Chilean Seabass |
AVOID: All
Contrary to popular belief, the Chilean seabass is not really a bass and not always caught in Chilean waters. Increasing demand in restaurants for this white fleshy fish has contributed to the widespread illegal and unregulated overfishing issues, not to mention bycatch repercussions, particularly for the endangered albatross.
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| Eel |
AVOID: All
Sorry, unagi lovers, but when it comes to freshwater eel, you should avoid it across the board. Farming can cause serious environmental pollution, as waste from net pens and ponds is not treated for discharge. This practice is also dependent on wild-caught juvenile or glass eels, which has triggered the decline of wild populations as well.
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| Flatfish (Halibut, Sole, Flounder) |
BEST: Pacific wild-caught (including Alaskan halibut and Dover sole)
AVOID: Atlantic wild-caught (including flounder and sole)
There are 13 different species of flatfish, the most popular of which include flounder, halibut and sole. The easiest rule of thumb to keep in mind is to choose Pacific over Atlantic, the latter of which has been plagued with the repercussions of overfishing issues for decades. Also, beware of California halibut caught by gillnets, which creates a number of bycatch-related issues. It's often simply labeled as "halibut" and therefore mistakenly believed to be Pacific halibut, which is the best eco-friendly choice among this type of fish.
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| Rockfish |
BEST: Black, hook-and-line-caught (including black bass, seabass and black snapper)
AVOID: All trawl-caught (including rock cod, Pacific snapper, red snapper and Pacific Ocean perch)
More than 70 different types of rockfish live off the Pacific coast of the United States, the majority of which are vulnerable to overfishing because they mature at a late age and are often caught before they've had a chance to reproduce. While populations in Alaska and British Columbia are currently healthy and abundant, along with black rockfish from the Pacific Northwest region, other types have a long way to go before recovering. Additionally, bottom trawling is the most commonly used method for procuring many varieties, including Pacific and red snapper, a method that causes significant habitat damage.
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