Buyer's Guide

This chart was created for chefs, suppliers & other seafood professionals who need a reference tool with our Seafood Watch recommendations in one place.

Our Seafood Watch regional guides contain the latest information on sustainable seafood choices available in different regions of the U.S. Our "Best Choices" are abundant, well managed and fished or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Seafood to "Avoid" are overfished and/or fished or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. You can view the guides online or download a pocket-size version.

Download a printable version of the Buyer's Guide

Mobile Devices: Log on to seafoodwatch.org and you'll be automatically directed to the latest online pocket guide.
See what it looks like.

BEST CHOICES

GOOD ALTERNATIVES

AVOID

Abalone (Worldwide, Contained Production Systems)

Arctic Char (U.S., Canada, Norway, Iceland; Farmed in Recirculating Systems)

Barramundi (U.S. Farmed in Fully Recirculating Systems)

Branzino (Nova Scotia, Canada, Farmed in Tank Systems)

Capelin (Iceland, Wild-caught)

Catfish (U.S. Farmed)

Caviar, White Sturgeon (Alberta, Canada, Farmed in Tank Systems)

Chilean Seabass (Heard and McDonald Islands, Falkland Islands, Macquarie Island, Longline)

Clams (Worldwide, Farmed)

Clams, Pacific Razor (Washington, Oregon, Quinault Nation; Hand Harvested)

Clams, Softshell/Steamers (U.S. Atlantic, Rakes and Shovels)

Cobia (U.S. Farmed)

Cod, Atlantic (Hook-and-line from Iceland and Northeast Arctic (by Norway, Russia))

Cod, Pacific (U.S. Bottom Longline, Jig and Trap)

Crab, Blue (U.S. Chesapeake Bay Trotline)

Crab, Dungeness (California, Oregon and Washington, Trap)

Crab, Kona (Australia, Wild-caught)

Crab, Snow (Eastern Bering Sea, U.S., Trap, Pot)

Crab, Snow (Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, Pot, Trap)

Crab, Stone (U.S. Atlantic, U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Trap)

Crawfish/Crayfish (U.S. Farmed)

Croaker, Atlantic (U.S. Non-trawl)

Giant Clam/Geoduck (U.S., Canadian Pacific, Wild-caught)

Gilthead Sea Bream (Nova Scotia, Canada , Farmed in Tank Systems)

Haddock (U.S. Atlantic, Hook-and-line)

Halibut, Pacific (U.S. Wild-caught)

Lobster, California Spiny (California, Wild-caught)

Lobster, Caribbean Spiny (Florida, Wild-caught)

Lobster, Spiny (Wild-caught from Baja California, Mexico)

Mackerel, Atlantic (U.S. Purse Seine)

Mackerel, Atlantic (Canada, Purse Seine)

Mackerel, King (Wild-caught from U.S. Atlantic and U.S. Gulf of Mexico)

Mackerel, Spanish (Wild-caught from U.S. Atlantic and U.S. Gulf of Mexico)

Mahi Mahi (U.S. Atlantic, Troll/Pole)

Mullet, Striped (Wild-caught from U.S. Atlantic, U.S. Gulf of Mexico)

Mussels (Worldwide, Farmed)

Oysters (Worldwide, Farmed)

Oysters (U.S. Gulf of Mexico Wild-caught)

Perch, Yellow (Lake Erie, Wild-caught)

Perch, Yellow (U.S. Farmed in Tank Systems)

Pollock, Atlantic (Gillnet and Purse Seine from Norway)

Prawn, Freshwater (U.S. Farmed)

Prawn, Spot (Canadian Pacific, Wild-caught)

Rockfish, Black (Hook-and-line from California, Oregon and Washington)

Sablefish/Black Cod (Alaska and Canadian Pacific, Wild-caught)

Salmon (Drift Gillnet, Purse Seine and Troll, from Alaska)

Salmon Roe (Drift Gillnet, Purse Seine and Troll, from Alaska)

Salmon, Coho (U.S. Farmed in Tank Systems)

Salmon, Sockeye (Fraser River, Reefnet)

Sardines, Pacific (U.S. Wild-caught)

Scad, Big-eye (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Scad, Mackerel (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Scallops (Farmed, Worldwide)

Scallops, Pink (Canadian Pacific, Butterfly Trawl)

Scallops, Sea (Diver-caught in Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico)

Scallops, Spiny (Canadian Pacific, Butterfly Trawl)

Scallops, Weathervane (Alaska, Dredged)

Sea Urchin Roe (Canada, Wild-caught)

Seatrout, Spotted ( Wild-caught from Florida and Louisiana)

Shrimp (U.S. Farmed in Fully Recirculating Systems or Inland Ponds)

Shrimp, Black Tiger (Ca Mau Province of Southern Vietnam and other areas of Southeast Asia, Farmed Extensive Mixed Shrimp and Mangrove Forestry (Silvofishery) Using Selva Shrimpr Criteria)

Shrimp, Pink (Oregon, Wild-caught)

Squid, Longfin (U.S. Atlantic, Trawl)

Striped Bass (U.S. Atlantic, Hook-and-line)

Striped Bass (U.S. Farmed)

Sturgeon, White (British Columbia, Canada, Farmed in Tank Systems)

Swordfish (Harpoon and Handline from Hawaii)

Swordfish (Harpoon and Handline-caught from Canada, the U.S., North Atlantic and East Pacific)

Tilapia (U.S. Farmed in Closed Recirculating Systems)

Tilapia (Ecuador, Farmed in Ponds)

Tilapia (Alberta, Canada, Farmed in Tank Systems)

Trout, Rainbow/Steelhead (U.S. Farmed)

Tuna, Albacore (Troll/Pole from the Canadian and U.S. Pacific)

Tuna, Albacore ("White" Canned) (Troll/Pole from the Canadian and U.S. Pacific)

Tuna, Bigeye (Troll/Pole from the U.S. Atlantic)

Tuna, Skipjack (Worldwide, Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Skipjack ("Light" Canned) (Worldwide, Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Yellowfin (Troll/Pole from the Pacific and U.S. Atlantic)

White Seabass (Hook-and-line from California)

Whitefish, Lake (Wild-caught from Lake Huron and Lake Superior)

Whitefish, Lake (Trap-net from Lake Michigan)

Wreckfish (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Alfonsino (New Zealand, Midwater Trawl)

Barramundi (Australia, Farmed in Fully Recirculating Systems)

Basa (Imported, Farmed)

Black Drum (Trotline from U.S. Gulf of Mexico)

Black Sea Bass (U.S. Mid-Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Bluefish (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Bluenose (Southern Pacific, Wild-caught)

Capelin (Canada, Wild-caught)

Caviar, Sturgeon (U.S. Farmed)

Chilean Seabass (South Georgia, Kerguelen Islands, Longline)

Chilean Seabass (Ross Sea, Longline)

Clams, Atlantic Surf (U.S. Atlantic, Clam Dredge)

Clams, Hard (U.S. Atlantic, Rakes and Shovels)

Clams, Ocean Quahog (U.S. Atlantic, Clam Dredge)

Cod, Atlantic (Bottom Gillnet, Bottom Longline, Bottom Trawl and Danish Seine from Iceland and Northeast Arctic)

Cod, Atlantic (Hook-and-line from U.S. Gulf of Maine)

Cod, Pacific (U.S. Trawl)

Crab, Blue (U.S. Pot)

Crab, Dungeness (Alaska, Trap)

Crab, Imitation (Alaska Pollock) (Alaska, Wild-caught)

Crab, Imitation (not Alaska Pollock) (Worldwide, Wild-caught)

Crab, Jonah (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Crab, King (U.S. Trap)

Crab, King Southern (Argentina, Trap)

Crab, Kona (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Crab, Snow (Eastern Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Pot, Trap)

Croaker, Atlantic (U.S. Trawl)

Dogfish, Spiny (British Columbia, Bottom Longline)

Flounder (Wild-caught from U.S. Pacific)

Flounder, Summer (U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl)

Flounder, Windowpane (U.S. Southern New England, U.S. Mid-Atlantic, Bottom Trawl)

Flounder, Winter (U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl)

Flounder, Yellowtail (U.S. Southern New England, U.S. Mid-Atlantic, Bottom Trawl)

Greater Amberjack (Hook-and-line from U.S. South Atlantic)

Grouper, Black, Red (U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Wild-caught)

Grouper, Hawaiian (Hawaii, Hook-and-line)

Haddock (U.S. Atlantic, Trawl)

Haddock (Iceland Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Haddock (Bottom Trawl from Canadian Atlantic)

Hake, Offshore, Red and Silver (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Halibut, Atlantic (Nova Scotia, Canada, Farmed in Tank Systems)

Halibut, California (U.S. Pacific, Hook-and-line and Bottom Trawl)

Herring, Atlantic (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Herring, Lake (Lake Superior, Wild-caught)

Lingcod (U.S., Canada, Wild-caught)

Lobster, American (U.S. Gulf of Maine, U.S. Georges Bank, Trap, Pot)

Lobster, Caribbean Spiny (Bahamas, Wild-caught)

Mackerel, Atlantic (U.S. Midwater and Bottom Trawl)

Mahi Mahi (U.S. Longline)

Mahi Mahi (Imported, Troll/Pole)

Mahi Mahi (Hawaii, Troll/Pole)

Marlin, Blue (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Monkfish (U.S. Atlantic, Bottom Trawl and Bottom Gillnet)

Monkfish Liver (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

New Zealand Tai Snapper (New Zealand, Bottom Longline)

Octopus (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Octopus (Gulf of California, Wild-caught)

Octopus, Common/Sushi (Spain, Wild-caught)

Opah (Hawaii, Longline)

Pangasius (Imported, Farmed)

Perch, Yellow (Lake Huron and Lake Ontario, Wild-caught)

Plaice, Alaska (Wild-caught from Canada and U.S. Pacific)

Plaice, American (U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl)

Plaice, European (Danish seine and Bottom Trawl from Iceland)

Pollock, Alaska (Alaska, Wild-caught)

Pollock, Atlantic (Danish Seine, Trawl from Norway)

Pollock, Atlantic (Iceland, Set Gillnet)

Pollock, Atlantic (Wild-caught from U.S. and Canada; Danish Seine and Trawl from Norway)

Pomfret (Hawaii, Longline)

Pompano, Florida (U.S. Wild-caught)

Prawn, Spot (U.S. Pacific)

Red Porgy (U.S. Wild-caught)

Rockfish (Hook-and-line and Jig from the Pacific)

Sablefish/Black Cod (California, Oregon and Washington, Wild-caught)

Salmon (Fraser River, Reefnet)

Salmon (Drift Gillnet, Purse Seine and Troll from California, Oregon and Washington)

Salmon, Coho (British Columbia, Wild-caught)

Sanddabs, Pacific (U.S. Wild-caught)

Scallops, Bay (Diver-caught in Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico)

Scallops, Sea (Diver-caught in Sechura Bay, Peru)

Scallops, Sea (Canadian Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Scallops, Sea (U.S. Atlantic, Dredged)

Scup (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Sea Urchin Roe (California, Wild-caught)

Seatrout, Spotted (Wild-caught from Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia)

Shark, Common Thresher (California and Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Shark, Shortfin Mako (California and Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Shrimp (Wild-caught from U.S. Gulf of Mexico, U.S. South Atlantic)

Shrimp (U.S. Farmed in Open Systems)

Shrimp (Thailand, Farmed in Fully Recirculating Systems)

Shrimp, Northern (U.S. and Canadian Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Shrimp, Rock (U.S. Wild-caught)

Smelt, Rainbow (Wild-caught from Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie)

Snapper, Gray (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Snapper, Gray, Lane, Mutton, Yellowtail (Wild-caught from U.S. Atlantic and U.S. Gulf of Mexico)

Snapper, Pink (Hawaii, Hook-and-line)

Snapper, Red/Squirrelfish (Hawaii, Hook-and-line)

Snapper, Ruby/Longtail (Hawaii, Hook-and-line)

Snapper, Silk (Wild-caught from U.S. Caribbean, U.S. Gulf of Mexico and U.S. South Atlantic)

Sole (Wild-caught from U.S. Pacific)

Spearfish, Shortbill (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Squid, Argentine Shortfin (South America Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Squid, Japanese Flying (Pacific, Wild-caught)

Squid, Jumbo (Gulf of California, Wild-caught)

Squid, Market (California, Purse Seine)

Squid, Shortfin (U.S. Atlantic, Trawl)

Striped Bass (U.S. Atlantic, Gillnet and Pound Net)

Sturgeon (U.S. Farmed)

Sturgeon, White (Wild-caught from Oregon and Washington)

Swai (Imported, Farmed)

Swordfish (Drift Gillnet from California)

Swordfish (U.S. Longline)

Tilapia (China, Farmed in Ponds)

Tilapia (Taiwan Farmed in Ponds)

Tilefish, Golden (U.S. Mid-Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Trevally/Jack (Hawaii, Wild-caught)

Trout, Lake (Lake Huron and Lake Superior, Wild-caught)

Tuna, Albacore (Hawaii, Longline)

Tuna, Albacore (South Atlantic, Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Albacore ("White" Canned) (Worldwide, Troll/Pole Except Canadian and U.S. Pacific)

Tuna, Bigeye (U.S. Atlantic, Longline)

Tuna, Bigeye (Worldwide, Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Blackfin (Atlantic, Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Skipjack (Longline from Hawaii and U.S. Atlantic)

Tuna, Tongol (Malaysia, Wild-caught)

Tuna, Tongol (Worldwide, Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Yellowfin (Longline from Hawaii and U.S. Atlantic)

Tuna, Yellowfin (Worldwide Except Pacific and U.S. Atlantic, Troll/Pole)

Turbot, Greenland (U.S., Canadian Pacific, Wild-caught)

Wahoo (Wild-caught from Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii)

Walleye (Lake Erie, Wild-caught)

White Seabass (California, Gillnet)

Whitefish, Lake (Lake Erie, Wild-caught)

Whitefish, Lake ( Set Gillnet from Lake Michigan)

Whitefish, Round (Wild-caught from Lake Huron, Lake Michigan)

Yellowtail, California (Wild-caught from the U.S.)

Abalone (China, Japan, Sea Ranched)

Alfonsino (New Zealand, Midwater Trawl, Bottom Trawl)

Barramundi (Indonesia, Wild-caught)

Barramundi (Imported, Farmed in Open Systems)

Caviar, Paddlefish (U.S. Wild-caught)

Caviar, Shovelnose Sturgeon (Mississippi River, Wild-Caught)

Caviar, Sturgeon (Imported, Wild-caught)

Chilean Seabass (Crozet Islands, Prince Edward and Marion Islands, Chile, Longline)

Cobia (Imported, Farmed)

Cod, Atlantic (Trawl-caught from Canadian and U.S. Atlantic)

Cod, Pacific (Imported, Wild-caught)

Conch, Queen (Worldwide, Wild-caught)

Corvina, Gulf (Gulf of California, Wild-caught)

Crab, King Red (Russia, Trap)

Crawfish/Crayfish (Imported, Farmed)

Dab, Common (Danish Seine from Iceland)

Dogfish, Spiny (Wild-caught from Canadian Atlantic and U.S.)

Eel, Freshwater (Worldwide, Farmed)

Flounder, Windowpane (U.S. Georges Bank, U.S. Gulf of Maine, Bottom Trawl)

Flounder, Winter (U.S. Gulf of Maine Bottom Gillnet)

Flounder, Witch (U.S. Atlantic Bottom Trawl)

Flounder, Yellowtail (U.S. Atlantic, Bottom Trawl and Bottom Gillnet)

Grenadier (U.S. Pacific, Wild-caught)

Grouper (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Grouper, Gag, Snowy, Warsaw, Yellowedge (U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Wild-caught)

Hake, White (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Halibut, Atlantic (U.S. Bottom Trawl)

Halibut, California (U.S. Pacific, Set Gillnet)

Lobster, American (U.S. Southern New England, Trap, Pot)

Lobster, Caribbean Spiny (Brazil, Wild-caught)

Mahi Mahi (Ecuador, Peru, Taiwan Longline)

Marlin, Blue (Imported, Longline)

Marlin, Striped (Worldwide, Wild-caught)

New Zealand Tai Snapper (New Zealand, Danish Seine, Trawl)

Octopus (Philippines, Wild-caught)

Octopus, Common/Sushi (Mauritania, Morocco and Vietnam, Wild-caught)

Opah (Imported, Longline)

Orange Roughy (Worldwide, Wild-caught)

Pollock, Atlantic (Danish Seine and Trawl from Iceland)

Rockfish (Pacific, Trawl)

Salmon, Atlantic (Worldwide Except U.S. Farmed in Tank Systems, Farmed including Atlantic)

Sardines, Atlantic (Mediterranean, Wild-caught)

Sea Turtles (Gulf of California, Wild-caught)

Sea Urchin Roe (Maine, Wild-caught)

Shad, American (U.S. Atlantic, Gillnet)

Shark (Wild-caught Worldwide, Except Common Thresher and Shortfin Mako, from California and Hawaii)

Shrimp (Imported, Farmed in Open Systems)

Shrimp (Imported, Wild-Caught Except Canadian)

Shrimp (Mexico, Farmed in Open Systems)

Skates (U.S. Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Skipjack Tuna (Worldwide, Purse Seine)

Snapper, Red (U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Wild-caught)

Snapper, Red (Imported, Wild-caught)

Snapper, Vermilion (U.S. Wild-caught)

Spearfish, Shortbill (Imported, Wild-caught)

Sturgeon (Imported, Wild-caught)

Sturgeon, Shovelnose (Mississippi River, Wild-Caught)

Swordfish (Imported, Longline)

Tilefish, Blueline (U.S. Gulf of Mexico and U.S. South Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Tilefish, Golden (U.S. Gulf of Mexico and U.S. South Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Totoaba (Gulf of California, Wild-caught)

Trout, Lake (Lake Michigan, Wild-caught)

Tuna (Canned) (Worldwide, Wild-caught Except Troll/Pole)

Tuna, Albacore (All Longline Except Hawaii)

Tuna, Albacore (North Atlantic, Wild-caught)

Tuna, Bigeye (Worldwide Except U.S. Atlantic, Longline)

Tuna, Blackfin (Atlantic, Longline and Purse Seine)

Tuna, Bluefin (Worldwide, Wild-caught)

Tuna, Bluefin (Worldwide, Ranched)

Tuna, Skipjack (Imported, Longline)

Tuna, Tongol (Worldwide, Gillnet and Purse Seine Except Malaysia)

Tuna, Yellowfin (Worldwide Except Hawaii and U.S. Atlantic, Longline)

Tuna, Yellowfin (Worldwide, Purse Seine)

Weakfish (Wild-caught from U.S. Atlantic)

Yellowtail (Australia, Farmed)

Yellowtail (Japan, Farmed)