12 Most Toxic Fish (For Humans and the Planet)

[RKP5637]

Mother Jones
By Kiera Butler
Mon Aug. 30, 2010 2:30 AM PDT

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/08/12-toxic-fish

<snip>

"Food & Water Watch just released its 2010 Smart Seafood Guide to the safety and sustainability of more than 100 kinds of fish and shellfish. Now I still love the Monterey Bay Aquarium's pocket guides and searchable Seafood Watch site (the only place where you can geek out with a trawling fact card, as far as I know), but the Smart Seafood Guide has a few unique features worth pointing out.

For starters, while some guides only address human health issues (like mercury) and environmental problems (like overfishing), Food & Water Watch also considers seafood's socioeconomic impact. "For example, lobster is a a key part of the economy up in Maine," says Marianne Cufone, director of Food & Water Watch's fish program. "Knowing that fact is really important to some consumers."

Another handy thing: It's organized by texture and taste, so you can figure out the safest and most sustainable options in categories such as "mild" and "steak-like." This makes it easy to figure out substitutes for recipes.

Here's Food & Water Watch's "dirty dozen" list of seafood that failed to meet at least two of the group's criteria. For more details, plus a list of alternatives for each verboten species, check out the guide. In no particular order:"

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http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/08/12-toxic-fish

[Warpy]

1. Good list, and I've long since stopped eating all of them

especially the king crab. Even when it's been specified as coming from Alaska, it's been an exercise in disappointment. The critters can keep their legs, I'm done.

[cynatnite]

2. We eat cod, salmon, and shrimp...

We're moderate in our eating of seafood, but with how limited my diet is I'm not giving them up. We do try to avoid the imported stuff.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I mostly only eat Alaskan seafood.

We have a freezer full of red salmon that we caught last month. We definitely know where it came from.

[Vinca]

6. You have no idea how jealous I am.

[whoneedstickets]

4. Hey Fugu isn't on that list, I hear its pretty toxic...

;)

[NNN0LHI]

5. Damn, I sure am glad Lake Perch isn't on that list

Because I eat a lot of that. Ain't nothing better.

What a relief.

Don

[taught_me_patience]

7. How about Tilapia?

I will never ever ever ever eat that disgusting fish. If you're from Hawaii, you would know what I mean

:puke:

[Winterblues]

8. I eat fish three to four days a week.

Mostly Halibut, salmon, crab, shrimp, red snapper, Pacific cod, etc. I would die if I couldn't get my fish.. One thing I have going for me though, it is all fresh local caught fish..In fact I caught eight Coho salmon just yesterday. Fileted them up and put them in the freezer right away..

[Canuckistanian]

9. I'd like to know of a good substitute for Swordfish

I LOVE Swordfish, but it's on the no-no list.