I love seafood. Fresh fish, buttery scallops, perfectly grilled shrimp—what’s not to love? But over the years, I’ve learned that not all seafood is created equal. Some choices come with serious environmental issues, while others pose health risks you might not expect.
This list breaks down 25 seafoods you might want to skip—not to ruin your dinner, but to help you make smarter, more responsible choices. Some are overfished, others are loaded with toxins, and a few are just downright sketchy. Good seafood shouldn’t come at a cost to the ocean or your health.
1. Imported Farmed Shrimp
Imported farmed shrimp may appear budget-friendly, but there’s a deeper cost hidden beneath the surface. Large-scale shrimp farming often devastates coastal habitats like mangroves, stripping local communities of natural protections against storms and reducing vital nursery grounds for marine life.
In addition, intensive farming methods can involve chemicals and antibiotics that taint the water and the product itself. With less stringent regulations in many regions, these shrimp can carry potential health risks. Opt for shrimp from certified, responsible farms or choose domestic sources when possible.
2. Atlantic Cod
Atlantic Cod was once the backbone of many coastal economies, but rampant overfishing caused a dramatic collapse in its population. Despite conservation efforts, this beloved fish still struggles to rebound, putting the entire marine food web at risk.
To help cod stocks recover, consider alternatives like Pacific Cod or haddock with clear sustainability labels. Supporting well-managed fisheries can encourage healthier populations and protect the fragile ocean habitats these fish depend on.
3. Shark
Sharks are apex predators that help maintain balance in the oceans, yet many species face rapid decline. High mercury levels make them an unsafe choice for regular dining, particularly for pregnant women and young children.
Overfishing, finning, and slow reproduction rates compound the threat. By passing on shark dishes, you help preserve these vital creatures and protect yourself from potential mercury exposure.
4. Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin Tuna is a sushi favorite, but its sky-high demand has driven stocks to critically low levels. The intense fishing pressure on these majestic predators disrupts marine ecosystems and can push them closer to collapse.
Additionally, mercury content in large, long-lived fish like Bluefin poses health concerns. If you love tuna, choose species such as Skipjack or Albacore, and look for labels indicating responsible catch methods.
5. Orange Roughy
Orange Roughy is a deep-sea fish that can live for decades, yet matures slowly. Heavy fishing pressure has drastically reduced their numbers, making them a prime example of how quickly fragile species can be depleted.
If you’re craving a mild, flaky fish, try black cod or US-farmed catfish as more eco-friendly alternatives. Supporting short-lived or well-managed species helps keep marine populations robust.
6. Imported Catfish
Imported catfish might come with a lower price tag, but lax regulations in some regions can lead to questionable farming practices. Overcrowding, poor water quality, and excessive antibiotic use all raise red flags.
These methods harm local waterways and can leave consumers wary of potential contaminants. By choosing domestic or certified producers, you’re supporting both safer farming practices and your own peace of mind.
7. Atlantic Flatfish (Halibut, Flounder, Sole)
Atlantic Flatfish, including popular picks like Halibut, Flounder, and Sole, have been heavily overfished. Their slow recovery rate means stocks can’t bounce back as quickly as demand grows.
Damage to seafloor habitats from certain fishing methods further complicates their resurgence. If you enjoy the taste of flatfish, opt for Pacific Halibut, which generally comes from better-managed fisheries.
8. Eel
Eel’s unique flavor and texture make it a sought-after delicacy in certain cuisines. However, many eel species are endangered due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat disruption in freshwater ecosystems.
Their complex life cycle involves migrating between rivers and the ocean, making recovery even harder if populations collapse. Consider skipping eel or finding certified farmed options to help protect these incredible creatures.
9. Chilean Sea Bass
Chilean Sea Bass, also known as Patagonian Toothfish, inhabits deep waters where low reproduction rates make it vulnerable. Illegal and unregulated fishing has pushed populations to the brink, despite conservation measures.
If you love its buttery texture, seek certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label or choose sablefish, which offers a similar taste and mouthfeel. By being selective, you help deter destructive fishing.
10. Imported King Crab
Imported King Crab often comes from fisheries where regulations might be lax, raising concerns about overharvesting and habitat damage. The gear used can also endanger other species on the ocean floor.
For a more ocean-friendly indulgence, opt for domestic crab like Dungeness, which is typically managed more responsibly. Supporting well-regulated fisheries helps keep crab populations robust and ecosystems intact.
11. Swordfish
Swordfish is known for its meaty texture, but it’s also notorious for high mercury levels. This can pose a real danger to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children, and should be consumed sparingly by everyone else.
Meanwhile, certain fishing methods can result in bycatch of sea turtles, sharks, and other marine life. If you crave a similar taste, look for mahi-mahi or US-caught Pacific swordfish from fisheries with stricter regulations.
12. Grouper
Grouper is a staple in many tropical and subtropical cuisines, but its slow growth and late maturity make it highly susceptible to overfishing. Depleted stocks can spell trouble for reef ecosystems where grouper help control smaller fish populations.
Certain catch methods can harm coral reefs, compounding environmental damage. If you’re craving a thick, flaky fillet, consider switching to more sustainably sourced snapper or farmed barramundi.
13. Sturgeon & Beluga Caviar
Sturgeon and Beluga Caviar have an air of opulence, yet the quest for these precious eggs has decimated sturgeon populations worldwide. These ancient fish mature slowly, making them especially vulnerable when overharvested.
Illegal fishing and habitat loss further push sturgeon to the edge of extinction. For a guilt-free indulgence, try caviar from sustainably farmed sturgeon or eggs from alternative fish like trout or salmon.
14. Monkfish
Monkfish, sometimes nicknamed “poor man’s lobster,” has a dense texture that many foodies adore. Unfortunately, destructive bottom-trawling methods used to catch monkfish can severely damage seafloor habitats.
In addition, high demand can strain populations. If you crave a similar taste or texture, explore responsibly sourced haddock or even farmed catfish to help reduce the burden on monkfish stocks.
15. Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Farmed Atlantic Salmon is readily available, but open-net pens can lead to pollution from excess feed, waste, and chemicals. Diseases and parasites may also spread to wild populations when farmed fish escape.
Choosing certified, land-based, or closed-containment farmed salmon helps mitigate these concerns. Alternatively, wild-caught Alaskan salmon offers a more sustainable choice with robust management plans in place.
16. Tilefish
Tilefish sports a mild taste and firm texture, but it also tops the charts for mercury content, posing serious health concerns. High mercury exposure can impair cognitive development and overall health, especially in children and pregnant women.
To protect your well-being, try safer alternatives like salmon or shrimp, which generally contain lower mercury levels. Opting for low-mercury fish ensures a healthier meal and a lighter footprint on ocean ecosystems.
17. King Mackerel
King Mackerel boasts a bold flavor and meaty texture, but it’s also high in mercury. This makes it a risky option for anyone mindful of mercury intake, especially vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
For a healthier and more sustainable bite, consider smaller fish in the mackerel family, such as Atlantic mackerel or Spanish mackerel. They’re lower in mercury and often managed under better fishery practices, helping you savor mackerel’s taste without the worry.
18. Marlin
Marlin, prized by sport fishers, faces significant overfishing and high mercury levels. Their lengthy migration patterns mean they can cross international waters where regulations vary, complicating conservation efforts.
If you’re fond of firm, steak-like fish, try mahi-mahi or rainbow trout instead. Both options typically come from more sustainable fisheries and carry fewer health concerns, ensuring a balanced choice for your plate.
19. Imported Lobster
Imported lobster can be a treat, but its journey often involves dubious harvesting methods that put local lobster populations and the surrounding marine environment at risk. Overfishing also threatens the sustainability of this luxurious crustacean.
For a more responsible splurge, opt for lobsters from well-managed fisheries, such as those in Maine, where stringent guidelines help protect stocks. Supporting local, traceable sources ensures you can indulge without endangering future supplies.
20. Snapper
Snapper is a broad name for multiple species, some of which are severely overfished. Confusing labels and misidentification can mask the real environmental impact of your purchase, making it harder to buy responsibly.
Seek snapper from fisheries with verified, sustainable practices, or try alternatives like striped bass or farmed barramundi. By doing so, you help reduce pressure on vulnerable snapper populations and promote ethical seafood sourcing.
21. Sablefish (Black Cod)
Sablefish, also known as Black Cod, is treasured for its rich flavor and velvety texture. However, certain populations have been overfished, and effective management is crucial for their recovery.
Before purchasing, look for eco-certifications that confirm responsible harvest methods, or consider related alternatives like Arctic char. By choosing wisely, you help protect this delectable fish while still enjoying a savory seafood meal.
22. Atlantic Halibut
Atlantic Halibut is favored for its subtle flavor and large, firm fillets, but intense fishing pressure has led to critically low populations. As a slow-growing species, it doesn’t rebound quickly once depleted.
Switching to Pacific Halibut can help ease the strain, as this fishery is often better managed. When you choose alternatives, you support conservation measures that let Atlantic Halibut populations recover.
23. Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Pacific Bluefin Tuna faces the same plight as its Atlantic cousin: overwhelming fishing pressure and declining numbers. Its high value on the sushi market accelerates overfishing, pushing it closer to critical endangerment.
Mercury accumulation also makes large tunas a health concern, especially when consumed frequently. Try Albacore or Yellowfin instead, and search for tuna caught using methods that minimize bycatch and habitat damage.
24. Skate
Skate’s unique wing meat appeals to adventurous eaters, but these relatives of rays and sharks are slow to reproduce. Heavy fishing pressure can quickly damage their populations, risking permanent declines.
To safeguard these delicate species, consider trying more abundant, responsibly farmed fish like tilapia or catfish. Such choices help preserve skate numbers and maintain healthier ocean ecosystems.
25. Wild Caviar
Wild Caviar comes from sturgeon, a fish revered for its prized eggs. However, centuries of overfishing, illegal trade, and habitat degradation have pushed many sturgeon species to the brink.
Farmed caviar is a more sustainable way to indulge in this luxury. By selecting responsibly raised sturgeon, you help protect wild populations, giving these ancient fish a fighting chance at recovery.