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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Pacific Flounder

© Monterey Bay Aquarium
SEAFOODRATINGMARKET NAMESWHERE CAUGHTHOW CAUGHT
Pacific Flounder Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Sanddab, Sole U.S. Pacific Wild-caught
Summer Flounder Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Fluke U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl
Windowpane Flounder Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Fluke U.S. Southern New England, U.S. Mid-Atlantic Bottom Trawl
Windowpane Flounder Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Fluke U.S. Georges Bank, U.S. Gulf of Maine Bottom Trawl
Winter Flounder Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Blackback Flounder, Flounder, Georges Bank Flounder, Lemon Sole, Sole U.S. Gulf of Maine Bottom Gillnet
Winter Flounder Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Blackback Flounder, Flounder, Georges Bank Flounder, Lemon Sole, Sole U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl
Witch Flounder Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Craig Fluke, Gray Sole U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl
Yellowtail Flounder Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Flounder, Rusty Dab, Sand Dab U.S. Georges Bank, U.S. Gulf of Maine Bottom Trawl, Bottom Gillnet
Yellowtail Flounder Good Alternative: These are good alternatives to the best choices column. There are some concerns with how they are fished or farmed – or with the health of their habitats due to other human impacts. Flounder, Rusty Dab, Sand Dab U.S. Southern New England, U.S. Mid-Atlantic Bottom Trawl


Pacific Flatfish

Pacific flatfish such as sole, flounder and halibut are "Good Alternatives."

A portion of the Alaska plaice, arrowtooth flounder, yellowfin sole, flathead sole, rex sole and rock sole fisheries are certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Consumer Note

Over 13 species of flatfish are regularly caught in the Pacific. Common market names include fluke, flounder, halibut, plaice, sanddab, sole and turbot. Pacific flatfish, like their Atlantic counterparts, are known as hirame when prepared for sushi.

Summary

Although Pacific flatfish populations are not considered to be depleted, there are ongoing concerns about bycatch and habitat impacts from bottom trawling. This method of catch impacts the seafloor, although bottom trawling on sandy or muddy seafloor (where flatfish often live) is less of a concern than trawling over rocky or reef habitats.

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings
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