Scientists reveal this fish found off of the U.S. West Coast has more healthy omega-3 fatty acids than salmon
Scientists have found a fish off the west coast of the United States that has a surprising quality.
A new spotlight has fallen on an overlooked hero of the Pacific Ocean. Researchers have found that a species of groundfish caught off the U.S. West Coast offers higher levels of omega‑3 fatty acids than the much‑celebrated salmon.
More precisely, the species in question is the sablefish. Also known as black cod), this deep‑dwelling fish is found along the West Coast of North America.
According to a recent study commissioned by Positively Groundfish and conducted by Exact Scientific Services Lab, sablefish was shown to have among the highest concentrations of the long‑chain omega‑3s of all fish analysed, reportedly even more than salmon.
This is notable because salmon, both wild and farmed varieties, has long been regarded as a gold‑standard source of heart‑ and brain‑healthy omega‑3s.
According to the report by the Exact Scientific Lab, sablefish’s nutritional profile stood out. It wasn’t just the omega‑3 levels; the fish also featured favourably across a spectrum of nutrients. For example, it had an omega‑3 content per 100 g that surpassed many other groundfish species. The species is also wild‑caught, meaning that there are no added hormones or antibiotics from outside that are included in the final ‘product’.
From a public‑health perspective, this finding invites seafood eaters to broaden their horizons. Many consumers default to salmon if they want “good fats”, but sablefish appears to offer a compelling alternative, potentially also calming fears of lowering salmon numbers should the demand move elsewhere.
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From a fisheries and sustainability viewpoint, the recognition of sablefish and other West Coast groundfish could strengthen markets and support ecological balance. Positively Groundfish noted that many groundfish species had been over‑fished in earlier decades, and boosts in demand could aid sustainable management.
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