Halibut, Greenland | Good Fish Guide | The consumer guide to sustainable seafood

Common name - Halibut, Greenland

Scientific name - Reinhardtius hippoglossoides

Average rating

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Consumer Information

Atlantic halibut, the largest - it can grow up to 2.5m (8ft) long and 1.5m (4ft) wide - and longest lived of all flatfish, is heavily overfished and listed as an endangered species so avoid eating wild-caught fish. However, Atlantic Halibut is now farmed in onshore tanks in Scotland and provides the most sustainable choice. Longline fisheries for Pacific halibut in the US waters of Alaska, Washington and Oregon are certified as environmentally-responsible fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The third species, Greenland halibut, is also slow growing and vulnerable to exploitation. If you can buy farmed Atlantic halibut or Pacific Halibut, you will find it a very mild and sweet-tasting fish and really versatile think about baking, poaching, frying, grilling or sautéing. But don't leave it hanging around, it'll dry out very quickly as it doesn't contain very much oil.

Summary

Greenland halibut is a long-lived, slow-growing species, making it vulnerable to exploitation by commercial fisheries. In the North East Atlantic stocks are overfished and at low levels. Scientific advice to reduce catches to allow the North East Arctic (Barents and Norwegian Sea) stock to rebuild is largely being ignored in favour of continuing exploitation of the stock. The stock in Iceland and East Greenland is also at an all time-low and fishing effort too high. A more sustainable choice for this species is Greenland halibut from the West Greenland stock in the North West Atlantic (FAO 21).

Alternatives

(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)

Dab
Flounder
Halibut, Atlantic
Sole, Dover sole, Common sole
Sole, Lemon
Turbot
Yellowfin sole

Visit Fishonline, the website for the seafood industry, for more detailed information about this species.