2023 Good Fish Guide Rating Updates

Marine Conservation Society

UK-based Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide uses scientific information from reputable and peer-reviewed sources to generate ratings for over 140 different species. Wild capture ratings are reviewed annually and farmed ratings are reviewed every three years, and updated ratings are released on a biannual basis. Rating updates from 2022 can be found here.

 


 

Winter 2023

 

Species Name Origin Method Old GFG Rating New GFG Rating
Alaska Pollock         Bering Sea (West) Pelagic Trawl UNDER REVIEW GFG - 2
Albacore Tuna     Indian Ocean Longline GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - North   Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Troll GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Pacific Ocean - North (MSC) Pole & Line GFG - 1 GFG - 1
American Lobster  USA - Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 4 GFG - 4
USA - Southern New England Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Angel Shark   Atlantic Ocean - Northeast   Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna      Atlantic Ocean (East) & Mediterranean      Fish Trap GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Handline GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Pole & Line GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Purse Seine GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Ring Net GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Atlantic Cod             Celtic Sea (South), English Channel (West)      Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Bottom Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Handline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Demersal Seine Net GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Faroe Plateau   Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Jig GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Longline GFG - 4 GFG - 5
United Kingdom (Cornwall)    Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Handline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA

Black-Bellied Monkfish

 

North Sea, Rockall and West of Scotland, Kattegat and Skagerrak (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Blonde Ray        Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North)  Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North) (NDFA)  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Western Channel Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Blue Mussel  Dorset (Southern IFCA District) Dredge UNDER REVIEW GFG - 3
Northern Ireland (MSC) Dredge GFG - NA GFG - 3
Brown Crab    England - Celtic Sea (Cornwall)  Gillnet GFG - 4 UNDER REVIEW
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
Western Channel (Cornwall)  Gillnet GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
Cape Hake South Africa (MSC) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Coley Faroe Grounds (MSC) Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Common Cuttlefish        France - English Channel and Celtic Seas  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
English Channel and Celtic Sea (Inshore) Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 4 GFG - 4
English Channel and Celtic Sea (Offshore)  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Common Whelk   Isle of Man Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - NA GFG - 4
Scotland (excluding Shetland) Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - NA GFG - 5
Scotland (Shetland) Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - NA GFG - 4
Conger Eel   United Kingdom - Cornwall   Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pole & Line GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Cuckoo Ray    West of Scotland, Celtic Sea (South), Western Channel and Bay of Biscay Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Dab   North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat   Beam Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Demersal Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Dover Sole      Celtic Sea (South), Southwest of Ireland  Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - NA
Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - NA
Eastern Channel    Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Demersal Seine GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 3
European Eel       Europe RAS Closed System GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Atlantic Ocean - Northeast     Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Electrical Fishing GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pole & Line GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Demersal Seine GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
European Lobster  United Kingdom - Cornwall  Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Gilthead Bream     European Union and Turkey Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 4 GFG - 3
European Union and Turkey (GLOBALG.A.P.) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 2
European Union and Turkey (ASC) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 2
European Union and Turkey (BAP 3-star) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
European Union and Turkey (BAP 4-star) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Grey Mullet  United Kingdom - Cornwall  Beach Seine GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Haddock      Celtic Sea (South), Western Channel  Beam Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Faroe Grounds (MSC) Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 2
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Herring        North Sea Autumn Spawners - North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, Eastern Channel (MSC) Pelagic Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
North Sea, Eastern Channel    Drift Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Skagerrak and Kattegat   Purse Seine GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Ring Net GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Horse Mackerel   Norwegian Sea, North Sea (North), Celtic Sea, Cantabrian Sea, English Channel (South), Bay of Biscay   Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Ring Net GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Japanese Flying Squid Japan Sea and Pacific Coast Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Keta Salmon    Alaska (MSC)    Gillnet GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Beach Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Mackerel        Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Waters   Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Southwest Handline GFG - 1 GFG - 2
United Kingdom - Cornwall    Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Handline GFG - 1 GFG - 2
Manila Clam United Kingdom Bottom Culture GFG - 1 GFG - NA
Meagre     European Union and Turkey Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 4 UNDER REVIEW
European Union and Turkey (ASC) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
European Union and Turkey (BAP 3-star) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
European Union and Turkey (BAP 4-star) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
European Union and Turkey (GLOBALG.A.P.) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 UNDER REVIEW
Megrim Rockall Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pacific Bluefin Tuna     Pacific Ocean     Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Troll GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pacific Cod            Aleutian Islands (MSC)   Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Longline GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Bering Sea (MSC)   Otter Trawl GFG - 1 GFG - 2
Longline GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Bering Sea (West) and Chukotskaya, Karaginskaya & Petropavlovsko-Komandorskaya Subzones  Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Demersal Seine GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Bering Sea (West) and Chukotskaya, Karaginskaya & Petropavlovsko-Komandorskaya Subzones (MSC) Longline GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Gulf of Alaska (MSC)   Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 2
Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Peruvian Anchovy        Chile - Central, South (3-4)  Purse Seine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Ring Net GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Chile - Central, South (5-10)  Purse Seine GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Peru - North, Central (FIP)  Purse Seine GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Peru (South), Chile (North)  Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Pink Salmon    Alaska (MSC)    Gillnet GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Beach Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Plaice  Celtic Sea (South), Southwest of Ireland  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Porbeagle   Atlantic Ocean - Northeast   Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Rainbow Trout  Norway, Turkey, United Kingdom (GLOBALG.A.P.)  Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - NA GFG - 3
Freshwater Pond GFG - NA GFG - 2
Razor Clam           England, Northern Ireland and Wales   Diving GFG - NA GFG - 5
Dredge GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Electrical Fishing GFG - 5 GFG - 5
England & Northern Ireland Shore Hand-Gathering GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Wales Shore Hand-Gathering GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Scotland    Dredge GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Electrical Fishing GFG - 5 UNDER REVIEW
Shore Hand-Gathering GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Diving GFG - 3 GFG - 4
United Kingdom - Cornwall  Diving GFG - 4 GFG - 5
Shore Hand-Gathering GFG - 4 GFG - NA
Red Salmon    Alaska (MSC)    Gillnet GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Beach Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Sandy Ray   Celtic Sea and West of Scotland  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA
United Kingdom - Cornwall Wild-Caught GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Sardine             Bay of Biscay   Pelagic Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Purse Seine GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Ring Net GFG - 3 GFG - 5
Cantabrian Sea and Atlantic Iberian Waters  Purse Seine GFG - 4 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 4 GFG - 2
Africa - Northwest (Central)  Pelagic Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Africa - Northwest (Southern)  Pelagic Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Southern Celtic Sea and English Channel  Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Cornwall (MSC)  Purse Seine GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Ring Net GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Scampi or Langoustine                        Aran, Galway Bay and Slyne Head (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Botney Cut to Silver Pit (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Celtic Sea - The Smalls (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5 Improver
Devil's Hole (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Farn Deeps (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Firth of Clyde and Sound of Jura (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 4
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 3
Firth of Forth (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Fladen Ground (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Horn's Reef Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Ireland - Southwest and Southeast Coast (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Irish Sea - East (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Irish Sea - West (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Labadie, Jones and Cockburn (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Moray Firth (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
North Minch (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Norwegian Deep  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Noup (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Porcupine Bank (FIP) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Skagerrak and Kattegat  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 2
South Minch (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pot/Trap/Creel GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Seabass                  European Union and Turkey Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 4 GFG - 3
European Union and Turkey (GLOBALG.A.P.) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 2
European Union and Turkey (ASC) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 2
European Union and Turkey (BAP 3-star) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
European Union and Turkey (BAP 4-star) Open Net Pen - Marine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Bay of Biscay (North and Central)      Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Handline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Demersal Seine GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Bay of Biscay (South), Atlantic Iberian Waters       Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Handline GFG - 4 GFG - NA
Longline GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Pelagic Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Purse Seine GFG - 4 GFG - NA
Ring Net GFG - 4 GFG - NA
Shagreen Ray     Celtic Sea and West of Scotland  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Skipjack Tuna                  Atlantic Ocean - East    Pole & Line GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Troll GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - East    Pole & Line GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Troll GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Atlantic Ocean - West   Pole & Line GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - Western Central    Pole & Line GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Pacific Ocean - Western Central (MSC)   Pole & Line GFG - 1 GFG - 1
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Smalleyed Ray           Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North)  Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North) (NDFA) Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 3
English Channel  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North) (Cornwall)   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 4
English Channel (Cornwall)   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 5
Southern Bluefin Tuna  Southern Ocean  Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Spotted Ray       Celtic Sea (South) Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Celtic Sea (South) (NDFA)  Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 3 GFG - 4
West of Scotland and Southwest Ireland Otter Trawl GFG - 5 UNDER REVIEW
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 4
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 4
Spurdog     Northeast Atlantic and adjacent waters  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 3
United Kingdom - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 3
Sturgeon  Europe and USA Closed System RAS GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Atlantic Ocean - Northeast Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Swordfish      Atlantic Ocean - North Longline GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Atlantic Ocean - North (MSC) Longline GFG - 2 GFG - 2
Atlantic Ocean - South Longline GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Pacific Ocean - Southeast   Harpoon GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Thornback Ray            Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North)  Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North) (NDFA)  Beam Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 3 GFG - 2
Western Channel  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea (North) - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Otter Trawl GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Gillnet GFG - 4 GFG - 3
Western Channel - Cornwall   Beam Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - NA GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - NA GFG - 5
Tope     Atlantic Ocean - Northeast   Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Longline GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - NA
United Kingdom - Cornwall  Longline GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Turbot Spain (GLOBALG.A.P.) Flowthrough Tanks GFG - 2 UNDER REVIEW
Undulate Ray   Celtic Sea and West of Scotland  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - NA
English Channel Beam Trawl GFG - 5 UNDER REVIEW
White Monkfish  North Sea, Rockall and West of Scotland, Kattegat and Skagerrak (FIP)  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Gillnet GFG - 5 GFG - 4
Whiting    Celtic Sea (South), Western Channel  Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Demersal Seine GFG - 5 GFG - 5
United Kingdom - Cornwall  Beam Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Otter Trawl GFG - 5 GFG - 5
Yellowfin Tuna       Pacific Ocean - East    Longline GFG - 4 GFG - 4
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Purse Seine (Dolphin) GFG - 3 GFG - 3
Indian Ocean (FIP)   Longline GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Floating Object) GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5
Purse Seine (Unassociated) GFG - 5 Improver GFG - 5