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Imitation Crab
Bering Sea, Alaska
Alaskan Pollock

See Report in PDF


Credit/ Wikimedia Commons

Best Choice Some Concerns Avoid

SPECIES

Imitation Crab

SCIENTIFIC NAME N/A
MARKET NAMES

Imitation Crab, Surimi, Imitation Lobster, Imitation King Crab, Fish Cakes

SUSHI NAMES

Kanikama

DESCRIPTION

While imitation crab is certainly not a species, it is a very common item found in virtually all supermarkets in Canada.

Imitation seafood items are usually made from minced fish paste, also known as surimi. About half of the surimi produced worldwide is from Alaska Pollock.

The other half is made from a mix of fish, including Pollock and other species such as hake, sardine, mackerel, barracuda, striped mullet, threadfin bream, Atka mackerel, hoki, blue whiting, Pacific whiting and cod. The sustainability of these fisheries can vary greatly making an associated ranking very challenging.

Given the complexity of ranking the mixed fish imitation seafood products, only products that are made with 100% Alaskan Pollock are considered a “Best Choice”. Any imitation seafood products that are made with mixed species, SeaChoice has ranked these as “Some Concerns”.

Be sure to read the ingredient lists carefully to ensure you are making the most sustainable choice.

 

Sustainability Profile
Concern
Low
Moderate
High
Critical
Inherent vulnerability
 x
Status of stocks
 x
Nature of by-catch
 x
Habitat effects
 x
Management effectiveness
 x
INHERENT VULNERABILITY

Bering Sea Pollock
Gulf of Alaska Pollock

STATUS OF STOCKS

Bering Sea Pollock
Gulf of Alaska Pollock

NATURE OF BY-CATCH

Bering Sea Pollock
Gulf of Alaska Pollock

HABITAT EFFECTS

Bering Sea Pollock
Gulf of Alaska Pollock

MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS

Bering Sea Pollock
Gulf of Alaska Pollock

IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK

Is this made from 100% Alaskan Pollock?

HEALTH RISKS
View consumption advisories
 
MSC CERTIFIED

No.

 

 

 

 

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