Our Ranking Methodology
For wild-caught fish, we evaluate:
1. Life history - How fast does the fish species grow and how quickly do they reproduce?
2. Abundance - How many fish can be caught while still keeping the species at sustainable levels?
3. Habitat quality and gear impacts - Does the catch method damage the habitat for fish that are left behind?
4. Management - Are there regulations in place that effectively protect the fish and their ecosystem?
5. Bycatch- Are other fish or wildlife accidentally caught when fishing for the target species?
For farmed fish, we evaluate:
1. Risks- Can farm waste enter the surrounding environment? Can farmed fish escape into local waters (competing with wild fish for food sources)? Can diseased fish from the farm infect wild populations?
2. Feed - Are wild caught fish being used to feed these farmed fish? Is the feed free of contanimants?
3. Pollution - Is the water being discharged from the farm enclosure treated to minimize impact to the surrounding habitat?
4. Ecological Effects - Does the farm cause damage to the local habitat?
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