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Cobia

(Imported, Farmed)

Rating:
U.S. farmed cobia is a "Best Choice," due to low environmental impacts. Consumers should "Avoid" imported farmed cobia.

Market Names:
Black Kingfish, Black Salmon, Ling, Lemonfish

Summary:
Cobia is a warm-water species found in many oceans around the world. However, it's rarely fished in the wild, except recreationally.

Cobia is becoming popular in the aquaculture industry, due to its fast growth rate.

Cobia found in the U.S. market is predominantly farmed in the U.S., Asia (Taiwan, China and Vietnam) and Central America (Belize).

In the U.S., cobia is farmed inland with closed recirculating systems where diseases, escapes, effluent and potential pollutants can be managed and treated. U.S. farmed cobia is fed less fish meal and fish oil than those farmed elsewhere.

Outside the U.S., cobia is farmed in floating or submerged cages and pens in nearshore and open ocean waters. This creates a risk of disease transfer, escapes and pollution impacts on surrounding ecosystems and species.

U.S. farmed cobia is therefore a "Best Choice" and imported farmed cobia receives an "Avoid" ranking.

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