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Arctic char

Sushi name(s): Iwana
Arctic char

Arctic Char

At a glance

Eco-rating Mercury Omega-3s
+-Arctic char (farmed)
Best
Low

More about Arctic char

Arctic char are closely related to salmon and trout. They have a circumpolar distribution around the Arctic Ocean, and many landlocked populations exist in lakes in the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere

Capture Methods

Farmed char are predominantly grown in land-based systems that utilize tanks or raceways. Wild char is caught in stationary nets.

These ratings are provided in partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program, © 1999-2018 Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation

Recommended servings per month

Contaminant Men Women Kids 6-12 Kids 0-5
Arctic char (farmed) Mercury 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+

This chart shows how much can safely be eaten each MONTH (assuming no other contaminated fish is consumed). The advice is based on EPA guidance and the latest mercury data. More on contaminants »

Eco details: 
  • This member of the salmon family is an environmentally friendly alternative to farmed salmon.
  • Char are mostly raised in tanks and raceways onshore, unlike salmon which are generally raised in open netpens in coastal waters.
  • Onshore systems discharge less pollution and are much less likely to let fish and parasites escape than netpens.