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Sea bass

Sushi name(s): Suzuki
Sea bass

Black sea bass

At a glance

Eco-rating Mercury Omega-3s
+-Black sea bass (trap-caught, handline)
Best
Low

MORE ABOUT BLACK SEA BASS

The black sea bass lives near rock outcrops and shallow, rocky bottoms. Oddly, this spike-finned fish changes sex over its lifetime: it starts out a female and becomes male as it grows older and larger. Black sea bass can reach up to 3 feet (91 cm) in length.

Commercial Sources

Black sea bass are found in the western North Atlantic, from Maine to northeastern Florida, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The main source of black sea bass is the United States.

Capture Methods

Black sea bass come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with pots and traps. Additional types of fishing gear include bottom trawls, handlines and gillnets.
+-European Sea Bass (farmed)
OK
Unknown

European Sea Bass are farmed in marine net pens in the Mediterranean Sea. The primary concern for these operations is the ongoing use of antibiotics in production. However these farms have low environmental impacts overall.
+-Black sea bass (trawl-caught)
Worst
Low

MORE ABOUT BLACK SEA BASS

The black sea bass lives near rock outcrops and shallow, rocky bottoms. Oddly, this spike-finned fish changes sex over its lifetime: it starts out a female and becomes male as it grows older and larger. Black sea bass can reach up to 3 feet (91 cm) in length.

Commercial Sources

Black sea bass are found in the western North Atlantic, from Maine to northeastern Florida, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The main source of black sea bass is the United States.

Capture Methods

Black sea bass come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with pots and traps. Additional types of fishing gear include bottom trawls, handlines and gillnets.

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
Black sea bass (trap-caught, handline) Mercury 4 4 4 4
Black sea bass (trawl-caught) Mercury 4 4 4 4
European Sea Bass (farmed) Unknown

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 popular species, prized by both commercial and recreational fishermen, is divided into two fisheries.

The North Atlantic population is in the process of rebuilding.

The South Atlantic population remains severely overfished. Both fisheries use bottom trawls, which have high rates of bycatch and habitat damage.