Enjoy seafood? Here’s a reason to avoid the grocery store.

Concerns About Seafood Quality

Shopping at a seafood counter can feel overwhelming. Questions buzz in people’s minds, like: Are there elevated mercury levels in the fish? Where did this seafood come from? Is it from a place known for using additives, preservatives, or antibiotics to boost its shelf life or improve its look? Has it been lab-grown?

And then there’s the thought—was it farmed in cramped, dirty conditions which could lower its nutritional benefits? Even if the fish lived in the wild, they might have picked up toxic residues from nearby activities. On top of that, there’s the nagging worry about radioactive contamination, which has been an issue for a long time.

As seafood enthusiast Nicole Shanahan puts it, finding quality fish isn’t exactly straightforward.

To guide those navigating the complexities of seafood shopping, Nicole chatted with her friend Miles Wallace on the “Back to People” podcast.

Wallace, she mentions, is quite the dedicated fisherman—he owns a boat, catches fish, and handles everything from the sea to packaging.

Nicole wondered how someone should tackle grocery shopping for seafood.

Wallace suggests that the best approach is to steer clear of grocery stores entirely, if possible. The ideal scenario? Finding a trusted fisherman to purchase a bulk supply and having it vacuum-sealed and frozen.

If that’s not an option, using third-party services is a viable alternative. There are places like Santa Barbara Fish Market or I’m Hooked that can deliver high-quality seafood right to your home.

Wallace commended actions taken during the Trump administration to address some pressing challenges within the seafood industry. For instance, he pointed out the decision to block the Pebble Mine project to safeguard Bristol Bay salmon fisheries, which are crucial for family-owned fishing businesses.

These small-scale fisheries play a significant role in providing seafood that is safe for the environment as well as consumers.

“It’s a win-win situation when the government supports family-run fisheries,” Nicole noted. “It benefits everyone—environmentalists, government officials, consumers, and our marine ecosystems.”