I have needed to face some facts recently:

#1) My discretionary time has eroded substantially over the last few years. I.e., I get more free time at work than I do at home.

#2) I am not going to have a stockpile of fish in the freezer I have been used to. I'm about to thaw my last fall coho.

#3) Fish is very healthy, we should still try and eat it 1 or 2 times per week.

#4) I am going to have to start buying fish at the store.

So, what commercial fisheries are there, that are part of a healthy stock?

What kinds of fish can we buy, and be assured that we are not part of an overfishing problem elsewhere?

Which stores should we buy from?

Should we avoid Farmers' Markets and places that get local fish?

I am very interested in hearing what the PP members have to say about this.

I could probably use some education on this topic as well.

We try to stay away from the farmed salmon and usually go with the wild alaskan sockeye when available and when the freezer fillets have run dry.

Petrale is my favorite..
Dover's ok if its cooked right..
True Cod out of Alaska's is very good..
Oyster's Yum
Blackcod expensive and an aquired taste
Pollock..McDonald's
Whiting/Hake You couldn't hold me down and pry my mouth open.
Rockfish/ Greenies and some of the Reds is OK if the cook knows what there doing.
Halibut..UmmmGood

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

It's not perfect, but the Seafood Watch List put out by the Monterey Bay Aquarium does a great job of listing whether fish you buy are from sustainable or unsustainable fisheries, with recommendations on which ones to buy, and which ones to avoid.

Fish on...

Todd

Central Market sells Bruce Gore troll caught salmon and hook and line caught halibut.

I like to eat fish when I can, but more often than not, I find it to be prohibitively expensive. Of course, if I'm being honest, all things considered, it probably costs me at least twice as much to catch fish myself. For that matter, the fish market's a lot more reliable than me, too.

All the suggestions here are good (as far as I know). I give an extra nod to Abu's suggestion, as local markets not only tend to have good, fresh fish, but they also represent money spent locally, which is a cause I support when I can. Of course, some local markets (probably unwittingly) sell stuff they shouldn't, so you do have to be careful. If you are concerned about potentially buying bad karma fish, consult the guide Todd mentioned and ask lots of questions.

Get some of the troll albacore from the Westport docks late Summer, early Fall. The trollers offer some of the best eats, next to catching them yourself.

rr i have gotten good bottom fish at everybody's. Will not buy their salmon

I'd head to westport and stock up on fresh stuff,I beleive merlino's seafood is the place.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

So after a brief read of Todd's link, and this thread. We are looking for specific fish locales, and fishing techniques. Trolling/hook and line being the best technique. The link also chooses to give Alaskan fisheries the best ratings.

It is an interesting link, it actually does state that Pac NW (paraphrasing of course) Salmon is under durress and is not an acceptable choice.

I'd be leery of any place selling locally caught spring chinook right now.

Wait a few weeks and the absolute best troll-caught salmon of the year will be hitting the markets en masse.

But it's rumored they'll be gettin' 8 bucks a pound at the dock. Average fish is a $100 bill to the troller! Who knows how much they will go for full retail.

Last time we had a season open down here (3 years ago?) I went out with a friend who is a troller. We brought in 5 fish, and he was getting calls from buyers before we hit the docks. Sold'em for $791... and the buyer sold them for WAAAAAY more to a fancy restaurant in the old bayfront in Newport not 2 blocks away mere minutes later...

I'm betting retail prices will be above $30/lb. here this year...

I probably won't buy any salmon. I get enough of it. Summer steelhead are almost here, I can usually scrape an hour or two per week for local fishing.

As far as buying fish it is mostly Halibut/Cod, and tuna.

Wish you were closer... I'd hook you up, especially if you helped cark

So hows that season going down there Hankster?

$6 a pound for springers? Is the handling worth that much more?

I have been into this lately for the same reasons--not much freezer stock, and not wanting to be a hypocrit. The Whole Food stores around Seattle and Portland preach sustainable fisheries management. I have found some very interesting fish to try there over the last few months.

What happens when you buy more glamorous hype?

More savings and more control are at your comand.

I second Olympia Seafood Company. Fantastic quality and fish. On a different note, I know you don't need salmon, but Fred Meyer has previously frozen wild AK sockeye (whole fish) for sale for 2.99 - 4.99 / pound on any given day. From the Bering Straits and a healthy stock from what I've heard.

I can actual say, haven't bought any salmon "ever". Been very lucky over the years to either catch or have given to me, Salmon. Winter and Summer run steelhead have filled in nicely, when no salmon are available.

White fish are another thing.....Breakwater, Micheals Meats, Safeway, and others fill my needs there.

Crab, shimp, oysters come from the Tolkland/Westport area.

Tuna fish....mmmm, started buying filet and cleaned, off on the boats at Westport. Sixty to 75 pounds is about right for 2 of us and lasts 2 years. Barbqued when fresh.....can the rest. If you decide to can????? 2 pressure cookers, so speeds up the process.