Learn · Species Guide
Alaska Seafood Species Guide
Three tiers: species you can buy confidently, species you should ask about first, and species to avoid. The difference is catch method and traceability.
Always Safe
Well-managed stocks, documented catch methods, low bycatch. Buy without hesitation.
Ask First
Good species choices that depend on how they were caught. One question changes the answer.
Avoid
Industrial-scale bycatch, aquaculture concerns, or no traceability. Pass.
Quick Reference
Summary for at-the-counter decisions.
| Species | Rating | Catch Method | PCS Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Alaska Salmon — King (Chinook) | Always Safe | Troll, seine, drift gillnet | Yes |
| Wild Alaska Salmon — Sockeye | Always Safe | Seine, drift gillnet, dip net | Yes |
| Wild Alaska Salmon — Coho | Always Safe | Troll, seine, drift gillnet | Yes |
| Wild Alaska Salmon — Pink & Chum | Always Safe | Seine, drift gillnet | No |
| Alaska Halibut (Longline IFQ) | Always Safe | Longline | Yes |
| Dungeness Crab (Pot) | Always Safe | Pot / trap | Yes |
| Spot Shrimp / Spot Prawns (Pot) | Always Safe | Pot / trap | Yes |
| Sablefish / Black Cod | Ask First | Longline or pot (ask — avoid trawl) | Yes |
| Pacific Cod | Ask First | Pot, longline, or trawl (varies) | No |
| Scallops | Ask First | Diver or dredge (ask) | No |
| Rockfish | Ask First | Hook and line or trawl (varies) | No |
| Pollock (Commodity Trawl) | Avoid | Mid-water trawl | No |
| Generic "White Fish" | Avoid | Unknown — that's the problem | No |
| Farmed Shrimp (Imported) | Avoid | Pond aquaculture | No |
| Atlantic Salmon (Open-Pen Farmed) | Avoid | Open-pen aquaculture | No |
Where Pollock Hides
Industrial pollock is one of the most widely consumed fish in America — and most people don't know they're eating it. It appears under many names and product forms.
| Product | What It Is |
|---|---|
| McDonald's Filet-O-Fish | Alaska pollock, battered and fried. One of the largest single-product uses of pollock globally. |
| Imitation Crab (Surimi) | Processed pollock paste shaped and colored to resemble crab. Used in California rolls, seafood salads, and "crab" dips. |
| Fish Sticks | Most major brand fish sticks are pollock, trawl-caught. The breading obscures the source. |
| "Fish & Chips" at fast casual | Unless the menu specifies otherwise, the fish is almost certainly pollock or a similar commodity trawl species. |
| Frozen "Seafood Blend" | Often contains pollock alongside shrimp and scallops. The pollock is the cheapest element and is rarely highlighted. |
| Grocery store "Pacific cod" | Sometimes accurate; sometimes pollock or other substitutions. Ask for the scientific name or certification. |