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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Barramundi

© Scandinavian Fishing Yearbook/www.scandfish.com

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
Barramundi		Silver Barramundi, Giant Perch, Palmer Perch, Barra	U.S.	Farmed

Barramundi

Barramundi is farmed in the U.S. in an environmentally sound way, making it a "Best Choice."

Consumer Note

Consumers should be aware that Nile perch, an invasive species fished in Lake Victoria, Africa, is often mislabeled as barramundi and does not fall under our recommendation for U.S. farmed barramundi.

Summary

A native of the tropical waters of northern Australia, southeast Asia and southern China, barramundi is a prized sport fish in Australia. Known for its good taste and texture, barramundi is now farmed in the U.S. and becoming widely available to Americans.

Barramundi is well-suited to aquaculture

since it’s hardy and fast growing. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids which have beneficial health effects to humans. The way in which they are farmed in the U.S. (in a closed recirculating system) eliminates the risks of fish escapes and disease transfer and pollution.

In other areas of the Indo-Pacific, barramundi is commonly farmed in open net pens or cages that pose a variety of problems including risks of disease, pollution and escaped fish. Imported barramundi should therefore be avoided.

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

Barramundi Seafood Watch Report

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How fish are caught or farmed makes a difference.

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