Yellowtail

Sushi name(s): Buri (adult), Hamachi (young)
Yellowtail

Yellowtail

At a glance

Eco-rating Mercury Omega-3s
+-Yellowtail (wild, Isla Natividad, Mexico)
Best
Unknown

MORE ABOUT YELLOWTAIL

Yellowtail survive only within a certain temperature range (12-30 degrees C) and thus mostly occur in tropical or warm temperate waters.

They grow up to 80 inches (200 cm) and weigh as much as 130 pounds (60 kg). They feed on mackerels, sardines, squid and crustaceans.

Commercial Sources

Yellowtail are farmed commercially in Japan, Australia, and now the U.S. The majority of yellowtail on the U.S. market comes from Japan.

Capture Methods

Most commercial yellowtail is farmed in Japan. Since the 1960s, wild yellowtail populations in Japan have been in decline. The yellowtail farming industry in Japan uses mostly wild-caught sardines as a food source; populations of sardines are also declining in Japanese waters. Fish farms in Japan have serious problems with disease and pollution. Laws are in place to improve farming practices, but effective management is a concern. Australia's farming practices use fewer wild fish for feed than Japan does, but the amount of wild-caught fish used is still high.
+-Yellowtail (wild, US, handline)
Best
Unknown

MORE ABOUT YELLOWTAIL

Yellowtail survive only within a certain temperature range (12-30 degrees C) and thus mostly occur in tropical or warm temperate waters.

They grow up to 80 inches (200 cm) and weigh as much as 130 pounds (60 kg). They feed on mackerels, sardines, squid and crustaceans.

Commercial Sources

Yellowtail are farmed commercially in Japan, Australia, and now the U.S. The majority of yellowtail on the U.S. market comes from Japan.

Capture Methods

Most commercial yellowtail is farmed in Japan. Since the 1960s, wild yellowtail populations in Japan have been in decline. The yellowtail farming industry in Japan uses mostly wild-caught sardines as a food source; populations of sardines are also declining in Japanese waters. Fish farms in Japan have serious problems with disease and pollution. Laws are in place to improve farming practices, but effective management is a concern. Australia's farming practices use fewer wild fish for feed than Japan does, but the amount of wild-caught fish used is still high.
+-Yellowtail (wild, US, gillnet)
OK
Unknown

MORE ABOUT YELLOWTAIL

Yellowtail survive only within a certain temperature range (12-30 degrees C) and thus mostly occur in tropical or warm temperate waters.

They grow up to 80 inches (200 cm) and weigh as much as 130 pounds (60 kg). They feed on mackerels, sardines, squid and crustaceans.

Commercial Sources

Yellowtail are farmed commercially in Japan, Australia, and now the U.S. The majority of yellowtail on the U.S. market comes from Japan.

Capture Methods

Most commercial yellowtail is farmed in Japan. Since the 1960s, wild yellowtail populations in Japan have been in decline. The yellowtail farming industry in Japan uses mostly wild-caught sardines as a food source; populations of sardines are also declining in Japanese waters. Fish farms in Japan have serious problems with disease and pollution. Laws are in place to improve farming practices, but effective management is a concern. Australia's farming practices use fewer wild fish for feed than Japan does, but the amount of wild-caught fish used is still high.
+-Yellowtail (farmed, Australia, Japan)
Worst
Unknown

MORE ABOUT FARMED YELLOWTAIL

Yellowtail survive only within a certain temperature range (12-30 degrees C) and thus mostly occur in tropical or warm temperate waters.

They grow up to 80 inches (200 cm) and weigh as much as 130 pounds (60 kg). They feed on mackerels, sardines, squid and crustaceans.

Commercial Sources

Yellowtail are farmed commercially in Japan, Australia, and now the U.S. The majority of yellowtail on the U.S. market comes from Japan.

Capture Methods

Most commercial yellowtail is farmed in Japan. Since the 1960s, wild yellowtail populations in Japan have been in decline. The yellowtail farming industry in Japan uses mostly wild-caught sardines as a food source; populations of sardines are also declining in Japanese waters. Fish farms in Japan have serious problems with disease and pollution. Laws are in place to improve farming practices, but effective management is a concern. Australia's farming practices use fewer wild fish for feed than Japan does, but the amount of wild-caught fish used is still high.

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
Yellowtail (wild, US, gillnet) Mercury 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+
Yellowtail (farmed, Australia, Japan) Mercury 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+
Yellowtail (wild, Isla Natividad, Mexico) Mercury 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+
Yellowtail (wild, US, handline) 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: 

For more information on the environmental impacts of yellowtail fishing and farming, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program.