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Rockfish » Rockfish (trawl)

Eco-Worst Choice

Avoid or eat infrequently until improvements are made

Health Alert

Elevated levels of mercury, PCBs.

  • Adults and kids should limit their meals.

Related Fish

Recommendations

Eco-Best

Eco-OK

Details About Rockfish (trawl)

rockfish caught by trawl

Health Details

This is an Eco-Worst choice. If you decide to eat it, we recommend the following due to elevated mercury, PCBs levels:

  • Adults should eat no more than 2 meals per month
  • Kids up to age 12 should eat no more than 1 meal per month

More about seafood and health »

Eco Details

  • Almost all West Coast rockfish species from California to Washington are severely depleted because of heavy fishing pressure and the fact that rockfish grow slowly and take many years before they reproduce.
  • Rockfish from British Columbia and Alaska are better alternatives, since the fishing gear used in these fisheries has fewer ecological impacts, and populations are healthier.

This guide is produced in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Banner image from "Endangered Ocean" © 2007 Marian Osher.