Shop With Knowledge
Know How to Get the Best
Important Words to Know when Shopping For Fish

FREE APP

Many of us agree that eating fish is an important part of our diet. Over and over again for a couple of decades now, we have all read that we should consume at least two fish meals per week. Therefore, if you are finally going to give it your best effort and before you set out to buy fish from the local market, here are words to know.

Farm-raised

• Farm-raised fish come from man made fisheries. The fish are born in a controlled hatchery, and then, the fish swim laps until they are large enough for harvest. They are typically given a pellet diet.
• Farm raised fish is almost always the least expensive choice. However, it is the least favorable choice, as the waters that the fish are kept have high concentrations of medications and antibiotics.
• The pellet feed is also typically a low grade quality and not comprised of the fish’s natural diet.

Wild-caught

getting whenMichael
• Wild-caught fish comes directly from fisherman. The fish are caught far out at sea.
• The best sources of wild caught fish are those that come from cold waters. Fish from northern cold waters are more “clean” than those that are not and have less mercury concentrations as well.

Color Added

• Sometimes in farm-raised fish, color is added to make the flesh of the fish look better.
• The most common fish that is given added color is salmon. Not all salmon varieties are a nice peachy, pink. Therefore, sometimes color is added to the gray and paler varieties.
• Obviously, you want to avoid this option.

Organic Farm-raised

• With the poor qualities of fisheries being exposed, efforts are now in place to produce fish in waters that are clear of medications and antibiotics. The fish are also fed organic pellets.
• The most common organic farm-raised fish comes from Europe.

MSC Certified

• This labeling is seen on some fish at the markets. It means that the fish is from a sustainable, healthy fishery per the Marine Stewardship Council’s standards.

Sea Turtle and Dolphin Safe

• These statements are used when fishing practices are in place to not bring harm to sea turtles or dolphins. Harm to sea life is kept to a minimum as much as possible.