Halibut » Atlantic halibut
Hirame (sushi name)
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Eco-Worst Choice |
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Eco-Best |
Eco-OK |
Details About Atlantic halibut
 a.k.a. Hippoglossus hippoglossus, common halibutHealth DetailsThis is an Eco-Worst choice. If you decide to eat it, we recommend the following due to moderate mercury levels:
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Eco Details
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More About Atlantic halibut
A flounderlike flatfish, the Atlantic halibut lives along the ocean bottom in varied depths of water. Because this fish grows slowly (reaching 7-9 feet, or 2.1-2.7 meters, and living as long as 50 years), it matures late and is vulnerable to overfishing. Atlantic halibut populations are depleted and commercial harvest of this fish is prohibited in the United States. Halibut can weigh up to half a ton, but most range from 50 to 100 pounds.
Commercial Sources
Atlantic halibut are found in the North Atlantic Ocean. In the eastern Atlantic, they occur from the Barents Sea in northern Europe to the Bay of Biscay off France, and around Iceland. In the western Atlantic, they range from Greenland and Labrador to Virginia.
The main sources of Atlantic halibut are Canada, Iceland and Norway. Atlantic halibut sold in the U.S. market are primarily from Canada, the Russian Federation, Iceland and Norway.
Capture Methods
Atlantic halibut come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with hooks-and-lines. Additional types of fishing gear include trawls and gillnets.
This guide is produced in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
