Ideal Bite

Is your taste for the chicken of the sea worth wagering your health?

04.26.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Wed, 04/26/2006 - 5:00pm.

The Bite:

Every day, cautionary tales about toxic contaminants and overfishing cast a shadow over the catch of the day. But some of it’s hoopla - there are still plenty of species of fish on which you can dine safely and sustainably.

The Benefits:

Reel healthy. Fish are high in protein, low in unhealthy fats, and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that prevent heart disease.
Hold the mercury, please. Swordfish, shark, and some kinds of tuna are more likely to be full of the stuff. Choose lower-mercury fish by using a general rule of the thumb: the smaller the fish, the better.
Go wild for salmon. Salmon farms are highly polluting and threaten endangered wild fish. Farmed salmon may also have high levels of PCBs, pollutants linked to lower IQs in children.
Preserve ocean diversity by choosing sustainably harvested fish. Over 70% of the world’s fish species are overfished, but some, like Alaskan salmon and shrimp, are managed well.

Personally Speaking:

Sushi-grade wild Alaskan salmon without all the chems? Sign us up! Even Jen has a simple, fab salmon recipe that she uses once a year.

Wanna Try:

Mary Lu Seafoods -line-caught West Coast albacore tuna is sustainably harvested and canned in itsown juice for better flavor (from $4/can).
EcoFish -Celebrity Chef Entrées pair top chefs with earth-friendly fish like sashimi-grade Oregon tuna. They also sell frozen organic shrimp and wild Alaska salmon. Search to find local retailers and restaurants.
SeafoodWatch - print a wallet card for your region and reference it when shopping.
EatSmart - a buying guide, pocket seafood selector, recipes and more.
Planning to cast your own line this summer? Get state-by-state advice about eating the fish you catch.

Cocktail Fact

The urnard, a fish found in Florida, grunts when a thunderstorm is brewing, and it's said to be more reliable than meteorologists.

Bang For The Bite

The diets of 2.6 billion people depend on fish as a source of animal protein. Be informed, and you can help conserve fish for future generations while also looking out for your own health.

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