Where to Buy Sustainable Seafood in Singapore

Sustainable seafood is the new thing to look for mamas!

We recently ran an article about demystifying the aisles of the supermarket to make healthy and informed choices. When it comes to fruits and veggies and even meat, organic is usually best. But what about seafood in Singapore? It’s the best source of lean protein, it’s fantastic for your heart, and low-mercury varieties are particularly beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding mums and babies (Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA boost baby’s brain power and mama’s mood!). But consensus seems to be that wild-caught fish is better than farmed fish, and guess what? Wild-caught fish can’t be certified as organic. So what’s the alternative mama? Sustainable seafood.

Sustainable seafood is “fish or shellfish that reaches our plates with minimal impact upon fish populations or the wider marine environment”, according to Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide, which continues “It’s not just the numbers of fish left in the ocean that matters, it’s the way in which the fish are caught, the impact on the seafloor, other marine wildlife and how fishing affects the healthy and natural functioning of marine ecosystems”.

Much like with organic food, seafood sustainability certification does exist; for wild-caught seafood it’s overseen by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), while farmed freshwater fish certification comes from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

MSC certification is the world’s leading certification and ecolabelling program for sustainable seafood. While MSC-certified seafood cannot guarantee that seafood is organic or chemical-free (because wild-caught seafood grows in an environment that is not controlled), it does ensure the following:

• The seafood is caught sustainably (whereby fish stocks are assessed)
• The environmental impact of fishing is minimised
• The fishery is properly managed

There are other types of certification programmes, which is why certain suppliers will sell sustainably sourced seafood without the recognisable MSC label. However, the use of the MSC logo means that the fishery has been audited independently (MSC doesn’t do the audit) and adheres to a strict chain of custody standards.

Where to buy MSC-certified or sustainable seafood in Singapore
Visit the MSC’s website for a list of MSC-certified products available in Singapore (including frozen brands and supplements).

MSC-certified products can be found at Giant, Cold Storage, and Jason’s Marketplace. There are also some products found at NTUC FairPrice, including Pacific West Oatmeal Fish Fillet and Pacific West Deep Sea Frosty Fish Fillet. Blackmores Eco Krill can also be found in supermarkets and is MSC-certified.

As for restaurants in Singapore, Hilton Singapore and Grand Hyatt Singapore are MSC-certified. Both MSC- and ASC-certified menu items are available in the Hilton Singapore’s F&B outlets, including il Cielo Italian Restaurant, Glow Juice Bar and Café and the newly-opened Opus Bar & Grill. MSC-certified items are also available at Grand Hyatt’s dining establishments.

Besides grocery stores, you can also check out the following seafood shops. Not all are strictly MSC- or ASC-certified (although some of their products are), but they make every effort to promote sustainability with fresh, healthy products:

The Alaska Guys
Dish the Fish 
The Barbie Girls
The Fishwives
FISK by Snorrefood
Greenwood Fish Market

Mmmm, all this talk of seafood is making us hungry. Now that you know what kind of seafood to buy, mama, we hope you enjoy finding delicious ways to prepare it!