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.

Seatrout

Sushi name(s): None
Seatrout

Seatrout

At a glance

Eco-rating Mercury Omega-3s
+-Spotted/silver seatrout (LA, FL)
Best
Elevated

MORE ABOUT SPOTTED/SILVER SEATROUT

The spotted seatrout lives in estuaries and shallow marine waters. It is an important food and sport fish throughout its range. Seatrout can grow to a record 2.5 feet (76 cm).

Commercial Sources

Spotted seatrout are found in the western North Atlantic, from New York to southern Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico.

The main source of spotted seatrout is Mexico.

Capture Methods

Spotted seatrout come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with gillnets and seines. Additional types of fishing gear include handlines and trawls.
+-Spotted seatrout (MS, NC, VA)
OK
Elevated

MORE ABOUT SPOTTED/SILVER SEATROUT

The spotted seatrout lives in estuaries and shallow marine waters. It is an important food and sport fish throughout its range. Seatrout can grow to a record 2.5 feet (76 cm).

Commercial Sources

Spotted seatrout are found in the western North Atlantic, from New York to southern Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico.

The main source of spotted seatrout is Mexico.

Capture Methods

Spotted seatrout come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with gillnets and seines. Additional types of fishing gear include handlines and trawls.
+-Weakfish
Worst
Elevated

MORE ABOUT WEAKFISH

Like its relative the booming croaker, the weakfish also makes a croaking noise, thought to be associated with courtship and spawning or be response to fear. It inhabits shallow waters, preferring sandy and muddy bottoms. The weakfish grows to nearly 3 feet (0.9 meter) in length.

Commercial Sources

Weakfish are found in the western North Atlantic, from Nova Scotia in Canada to northern Florida.

The main source of weakfish is the United States.

Capture Methods

Weakfish come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with gillnets and bottom trawls. Additional types of fishing gear include pound nets, haul seines, hooks-and-lines and traps.

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
Spotted/silver seatrout (LA, FL) Mercury 2 2 1 1
Spotted seatrout (MS, NC, VA) Mercury 2 2 1 1
Weakfish *PCBs 2 2 1 1

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 »

* 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: 
  • Although sometimes caught by commercial gillnetters, weakfish (gray trout) and spotted seatrout (speckled trout) are popular among recreational fishers.
  • Seatrout often live in estuaries and may be exposed to water pollution from runoff and coastal development.