Eating sustainably doesn’t have to involve hand-wringing, hair-pulling or angst at the seafood counter.. here are some quick and easy tips you can follow to ensure that your choices are good ones.
1. Buy local – Buy local because we have some of the best managed fisheries in the world
2. Buy fresh – Buy fresh for taste and health
3. Diversify your choice – Try something new and spread the impacts of fishing pressures
GFBF Favourites
These species are those that we at GFBF feel we can promote without hesitation.. they are great sustainable options and their consumption should be encouraged. Some of these are lesser-known or under-utilised species, others are common favourites or sustainable stalwarts. This doesn’t mean that species not on this list should be avoided. Read their species profiles so that you can make an informed choice. The GFBF Favourites list will evolve and expand as we review and update all of the profiles on the site, so keep checking back for more.
Abalone (farmed)
Australian Herring (Tommy Ruff)
Australian Sardine
Australian Salmon
Bream
Bonito
Leatherjacket
Luderick
Mackerel
Mahi Mahi
Mullet
Mussels
Oyster
Squid and Calamari
Tailor
Trevally
Threadfin
Whiting
GoodFishBadFish Tips for Purchasing Seafood Sustainably
Eat Local
In general, Australian aquaculture regulation and fisheries management is very good – so only buy Australian seafood.
Eat lower on the food chain
Small schooling fish are usually fast breeding and short-lived, making their stocks more robust and capable of withstanding fishing pressures.
Avoid larger, longer lived species
Avoid tunas, shark (flake), skates and rays, which have very few young and are under pressure from decades of overfishing.
Ask questions
When at fishmongers and restaurants, ask about origin, fishing technique or aquaculture method of their seafood. Ask suppliers of seafood to identify species by its Standardised Fish Name.
Diversify your Choice
Understand that there is a sustainable alternative available for every species and cooking technique. Trying less-popular and under-utilised species is not just good for seafood species – it will expand your cooking repertoire
Shopping choices
Be an informed consumer and signal your interest in sustainable seafood so that restaurants and retailers realise the demand for and the benefits of sourcing sustainable seafood products.
If you want to keep reading, have a look at: The Role of Consumers
For more in-depth info on sustainability and the reasons behind the differing recommendations of the various guides and recommendations, check out: Good Fish, Bad Fish? If only it was that simple…