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Barramundi

(Imported, Farmed in Open Systems)

Rating:
Barramundi in the U.S. is farmed in an environmentally sound way, making it a "Best Choice." There are concerns about how barramundi from Australia is produced, but it is still a "Good Alternative" to barramundi from other areas of the Indo-Pacific. Most imported barramundi is farmed in open net pens or cages that pose a variety of problems and should therefore be avoided.

Market Names:
Asian Seabass, Barra, Giant Perch, Palmer Perch, Silver Barramundi

Consumer Notes:
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 fully recirculating system) eliminates the risks of fish escapes, disease transfer and pollution.

In some 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. For this reason, imported barramundi farmed in open net pens or cages should be avoided.

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