Look up the species. Check its assessment under our traffic light system (green = Better Choice; amber = Think Twice; red = Say No) and note the conservation concerns and comments. Is the species overfished? Where is it from? Was it caught using destructive fishing methods? If farmed, which aquaculture method was used? There may be important regional differences in assessments or differences based on how the species was caught or farmed. You can make a difference by choosing your seafood wisely.
A Better Choice can be made by choosing green. Species in this group are not currently overfished. They are generally resilient to fishing pressure at current levels, have a history of stable catches or are caught or farmed using techniques that have a lower environmental impact. Some Better Choice species may still have conservation concerns, but have been assessed to be a better seafood choice.
Think Twice about choosing species listed in amber. Wild caught species in this group may be heavily targeted or caught using fishing methods that damage habitat or are associated with high levels of bycatch. There may be scientific uncertainty about the status of wild caught stocks and a level of fishing pressure that suggests caution is required. If farmed, the aquaculture method used has some conservation challenges.
Say No to all species listed in red. Wild caught species in this group may be overfished or particularly vulnerable to overfishing, or their capture involves bycatch of threatened or protected species. Farmed species include those produced by unsustainable sea cage aquaculture methods that place additional pressure on our oceans.
AMCS undertakes periodic assessments of seafood assessments.
CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW: Toothfish (Patagonian & Antarctic) Wild.
Due to improvements in Australian management of the Macquarie Island and Heard and MacDonald Island toothfish fisheries, AMCS is currently undertaking a review of the ranking for toothfish. There has been significant effort and progress to reduce the impact of the fishery on seabirds and the reduction of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing in the Australian fishing zone.