Seafood Alternatives

Introduction

The Problem

Currently 90% of ocean fisheries have been fished to or past their sustainable capacity. Thanks to subsidies that keep fuel cheap, it is estimated that there are 3 times more ships at sea than can sustainably extract from our oceans. With the fishing industry constantly fishing deeper and further, catching less and less fish, plus always favoring large fish over smaller, our oceans are in serious trouble. 

Threats to Reproduction

Since larger fish produce the most eggs, and many preferred species take 4-25 years to reach breeding age, we're removing fish faster than they can mature and reproduce. The obsession with hunting and fishing larger animals, especially "trophy specimens", scientists have documented the surprisingly fast evolution of both fish and mammals towards smaller sized adults.

In addition to hunting down the biggest fish, the caviar industry is further destroying the ability of fish to reproduce. As popular fish species disappear, the industry is turning to other species, taking their young out of the breeding pool before they can even hatch.

Threats to Breeding Grounds


Solutions

Try replacing seafood with other meals or try some plant-based versions of your favorite seafood dishes. Many companies now make everything from caviar and smoked salmon to canned tuna and crab cakes. Even scallops and breaded or unbreaded vegan shrimp! If you don't want to try factory-made foods, there are a growing number of healthy and delicious seafood recipes being developed and improved by chefs as well as home cooks every day.

Calamari

Calamari comes from octopus, which are one of the smartest creatures on the planet! There are currently plans to start factory farming octopus despite warnings that this is inappropriate and cruel for creatures who can communicate, solve puzzles, dream, and all the other incredible things we keep learning they are capable of. 

Recipes

Crab

"Crustaceans have an important role in the ecosystem as they serve as vital food sources for both marine animals and humans. Small crustaceans can recycle nutrients as filter feeders, and larger crustaceans can act as a food source for large aquatic mammals. Terrestrial crustaceans also have ecological importance as decomposers of dead organisms.225 Small crustaceans eat substantial amounts of algae which keeps the plants in check, making for clearer waters which, in turn, give seagrass beds access to light and oxygen." - https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/species/crustaceans.pdf 

Beware of "Imitation Crab"

"Imitation crab is made from surimi, which is fish flesh that has been deboned, then minced into a paste, and mixed with other ingredients. It’s an affordable alternative to real crab, but it’s highly processed and lower in certain nutrients."Healthline


The following are all vegan alternatives which are generally made of plant-, mushroom-,  and/or seaweed-based ingredients.

Brands

Recipes

Fish Fillets

Brands

Recipes

High Protein

Tofu is high in protein and absorbs any flavor. Medium or even firm tofu could workfor many filet recipes, especially if you prefer or need a firm, meaty texture. Recipes that have soft, slippery fish would be better replicated with silken tofu.

Low Protein

Hand-shredded mushrooms, such as king oyster, can offer another meaty-textured flavor sponge. Other plants like jackfruit could also give a slippery, yet meaty texture. When meal planning with low-protein substitutes like these, make sure to balance the meal by offering a side of legumes like peas or green beans. A bed of grain such as millet, or protein rich pasta made from chickpeas or other legumes make a meal feel more satisfying, while offering a subtle flavor under your sauce of choice.

Eel

Eel are a keystone species that migrate through from rivers to oceans then back, taking 10-15 years to reach sexual maturity, and helping mussels reproduce. They are predators who help keep other aquatic species in balance, among other important ecological benefits. In Europe, eels used to make up 50% or more of their aquatic eco-systems.

They are under threat from overfishing and habitat loss driven in large part by dams which stop them from reaching their spawning grounds, illegal fishing, and other human-caused problems. Baby eels, also called "glass eels" are in high demand as a food, further endangering this important species. - Save the Eels!

Eggplant Unagi

There are many ways to make eggplant unagi, with or without sake, and with various types of equipment including microwave, steamer, and oven. All of these can be made gluten free, but if that's not a concern the only major difference is that you can use any soysauce you want, instead of looking for specialty allergen-free sauce.

Roe

Roe or Caviar are fancy names for fish eggs. Normally female fish are captured, then their bellies are sliced open to harvest their unspawned eggs. Larger females have traditionally been more highly prized because they produce more eggs, however this is exactly why large females are so important for healthy eco-systems. 


"Because of overfishing, habitat loss and illegal caviar trade, sturgeons are endangered. According to the World Wildlife Fund, they are the most endangered species on the Earth.

Rising sturgeon farms only furthered caviar rarity because of how complicated the harvesting and growing process is. Some large sturgeon take as long as 18 years to mature and start producing eggs (some ). The minimum maturity time is about eight years."

"The shovelnose, the smallest of sturgeons, reaches sexual maturity between ages 6 and 9 and spawns about every other year. This is relatively quick growth compared to the lake sturgeon, now endangered in much of North America, that doesn't reach sexual maturity until 20-25 years of age and only spawns every three to five years. The shovelnose, like others sturgeons, is particularly vulnerable to overfishing because of the long time they require to breed and regenerate their numbers." - Science Daily

Some companies have shifted to milking or squeezing eggs out of live and conscious fish, as this is believed to be more humane, and even allow the female to produce eggs in future years. The downside is that catch and release is known to cause stress or even death for fish, as they are much more delicate than humans. 


Fortunately some companies have been creating plant-based and algae-based alternatives.

Salmon

These are under increasing threat from droughts and dams which prevent them from spawning, or kill them in the process. Deforestation has allowed rivers to reach dangerous temperatures, and removal of beavers has reduced the number of safe spawning pools.

Salmon farming has further endangered the species as genetically modified fish sometimes escape and have altered the genetic make up and behaviors of wild fish. They also spread diseases, parasites, and viruses to wild fish. Aquaculture farms release dangerous amount of pollution including infection feces, antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticides into areas that wild salmon must migrate past to spawn. Slaughter and processing businesses have also been found to dump untreated blood, guts, and other waste into the same migratory areas, despite the known risk of disease transmission.

Raw Salmon

The salmon feels a little strange while handling, but the mouth feel is similar to genuine raw salmon.

Smoked Salmon

Ready-Made Smoked Salmon

Carrot Lox

Super quick and simple recipe, but tastes best if you make it the night or day before.

Instead of soy sauce, you can substitute or partially exchange with vegan fish sauce.

Scallops

Scallops are often harvested using heavy equipment that rips up the sea flood and the ecosystems that live down there.  

According to HEALabel Scallop fishing creates "5.4 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of crustacean seafood, a car driving equivalent of 12.5 miles or 20 kilometers

Destruction: high, scallop production is relatively destructive, negative impact on marine ecosystems, discarded fishing nets pollute oceans, fishing damages coral, sponges and poses severe threat to marine habitats..."

Instead of harvesting the very creatures that help keep our waters healthy and clean, we can pay farmers to grow healthy mushrooms!

"...scallops are bad for / increase the risk of toxic chemicals known to cause cancer and brain degeneration, toxic contaminants and heavy metals from polluted water habitats, PBCs may cause liver damage, nervous system disorders, and fetal damage, dioxins, also linked to cancer and death, radioactive substances like strontium 90 and other dangerous contaminants like cadmium, mercury poisoning, lead, chromium, and arsenic, which can cause health problems such as kidney damage, impaired mental development and cancer, high levels of mercury can lead to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, mercury exposure can also lead to high blood pressure, an increased risk of heart attacks and higher LDL (bad) cholesterol... " - https://www.healabel.com/scallops-side-effects/

King Oyster Mushroom Recipe

King Oyster Mushrooms should have the outer skin removed (the very thin layer around the stalk) otherwise it will create a tough ring around the "scallops". I skipped this step once, and while it didn't ruin the meal, I wouldn't recommend skipping if you want realistic scallops.

Little hatch marks on the top and bottom will also help the sauce penetrate the mushrooms a little better, but this can be skipped if you are short on time.

Shrimp

Shrimp farming is a major cause of mangrove destruction (releasing around 3-4 times more carbon than rainforest deforestation does), pollution, and slavery. These bottom feeders can spread pathogens to humans and contain pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals.

Ready-Made Vegan Shrimp

Whether you like naked or breaded shrimp, a growing number of companies are now making shrimp that is (in our opinions) indistinguishable from the real thing. These include:

From sushi to tacos to a creamy curry, our shrimp will fit in perfectly."

Both of the brands listed above are also gluten-free, but people without food allergies also enjoy them!

Tuna

Tuna are vital apex predators. There are different types but increasingly they are becoming endangered, yet coroporations are continue to overfish them and stock up warehouses in preparation of the day there are no more, so that they can continue to make profits even after their extinction.

Quality canned tuna replacement are very hard to find, but the top choices in our experience are:

Toona Recipes

Chickpeas and crumbled tofu are a super common ingredients for making tuna. If you find chickpeas lacking in the tuna flavor you are craving, I've found darker beans like kidney and pinto beans to be much closer to the flavor of tuna. Instead of focusing on mayo as the primary fat (because even vegan mayo isn't necessarily "healthy" despite being plant-based), nut and seed butters like peanut, almond, and tahini can help boost the protein content while offering healthier fats along with a richer umami flavor that we associate with tuna.  

Replacement Nutrients

B12

What Every Vegan Should Know About Vitamin B12 - The Vegan Society

Omega Fatty Acids

Common Foods

Floating/Invasive Plants


Protein

For many people 20% of their protein comes from fish. In coastal communities, that can rise to around 70%. When replacing seafood with alternative proteins such as soy, 

When meal planning with low-protein substitutes like mushrooms, palm hearts, or coconut meat, make sure to balance the meal with one or a combination of the following culinary tricks:

Carbohydrates

Set your meal on or beside bed of grain such as 

Sauces

Sides

Offer a side of legumes

Grants & Funding

International

Further Reading

Aquaculture & Fishing

Click the Commercial Fishing button for an understanding of how fishing effects the environment and people. The Fishing Industry button to focuses on pollution caused by the industry ranging from gas emissions and bilge waste, to bycatch ghost gear.

Environmental Repair

If you want to help clean up harm done by fishing and other human activities, consider the following resources:

Mangroves