Thank you for visiting the Seafood Selector. EDF is planning a new approach to providing information to consumers about good seafood choices. Please come back soon for updates.

Striped bass

Striped bass

Striped bass

At a glance

Eco-rating Mercury Omega-3s
+-Striped bass (farmed)
Best
Low

MORE ABOUT FARMED STRIPED BASS

Striped bass normally live in coastal waters but spawn in freshwater – although some populations are landlocked in freshwater lakes or rivers. Farmed striped bass are hybrids, a cross between striped bass and white bass.

Capture Methods

Striped bass come from coastal fisheries and fish farms. Farmed bass are raised in ponds and tanks.

Note: Farmed striped bass are a hybrid of striped bass and white bass.

+-Striped bass (wild)
Unrated
Elevated

More about Striped bass

Striped bass normally live in coastal waters but spawn in freshwater – although some populations are landlocked in freshwater lakes or rivers. Farmed striped bass are hybrids, a cross between striped bass and white bass. Their broken stripes distinguish them from wild striped bass, which have solid stripes. Wild striped bass can grow to 6 feet (183 cm) in length and may live 30 years.

Main Commercial Sources

Wild striped bass are native to the freshwater and marine environments of eastern North America. Their range extends from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to the St. Johns River in northern Florida and throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico. Striped bass have been introduced into several countries.

Capture Methods

Striped bass come from coastal fisheries and fish farms. Wild bass are primarily caught with gillnets. Additional types of fishing gear include handlines, pound nets, and bottom trawls. Farmed bass are raised in ponds and tanks.

Note: Farmed striped bass are a hybrid of striped bass and white bass.

Recommended servings per month

Contaminant Men Women Kids 6-12 Kids 0-5
Striped bass (farmed) Mercury 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+
Striped bass (wild) Mercury, *PCBs 3 3 2 1

* This fish has been shown to have elevated PCB levels in some places. Please visit the EPA’s National Listing of Fish Advisories to check for any consumption alerts in your area.

Eco details: 

Striped bass are both farmed and caught in an environmentally responsible manner, however wild striped bass on the East Coast can contain elevated levels of mercury or PCBs. Please visit EPA for more information on safe striped bass consumption in your area