Where to buy sustainable fish in Singapore
Ethically sourced fish that’s better for you and the planet
Text: Rachel L
Approximately 3 billion people rely on seafood as their main source of protein and its a dish regularly found at the table and ordered when dining out. With choices ranging from melt-in-the-mouth cod fillets to thickly-sliced tuna belly, fish is enjoyed by millions each day. However, before you dig in, it’s essential to explore where exactly your said fish has come from. If you’ve watched Seaspiracy, you’ll know that the fishing industry has some shocking practices and systems that are posing a serious threat to our oceans. According to Greenpeace, overcrowded fisheries have led to 640 million kg of plastic being deposited into our oceans every year. Overfishing has also pushed numerous species to the brink of extinction. In 2016, only 3% of the world’s Pacific Bluefin Tuna population remained while the Thresher, Hammerhead and Bull sharks have lost 80%-90% of their numbers. It’s vital we protect our aquatic ecosystems, by eating less and better — sourcing sustainable fish is crucial. We’ve compiled some guidelines and shopping options in Singapore to help you get started.
How to ensure the fish you consume is being caught or farmed sustainably
Due to overfishing, a large bulk of the fish we consume are on the verge of extinction. The species that are in danger vary from country to country and WWF has compiled a list of recommended options for each nation. When shopping, try your best to select fish that fall in the guide’s green category and avoid those in the red.
Credit: WWF
2. Purchase fish that are MSC or ASC certified
Wild caught fish that have been fished and processed sustainably will have been approved by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) while those that have been reared in farms should have Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified. Make sure your selections have their blue (for MSC) or green (for ASC) labels and you’re good to go! Various supermarkets in Singapore, such as Cold Storage, Giant, Ikea, Jason’s and Market Place carry MSC and ASC approved fish while NTUC holds a limited collection.
Credit: Aquaculture Stewardship Council
Where to buy sustainably caught or farmed fish
Apart from grocery stores, you can frequent these businesses to support their endeavours to bring high quality and sustainable seafood to the Singapore market.
Credit: The Fishwives
Raised to believe in the value of fresh and clean produce, Rebecca Forwood built her business upon this ethos when she brought it here in 2000. The Fishwives screens its partnering producers, weighing in factors such as biodiversity, animal / fish health and welfare and farm management to ensure it derives its supply from ethical and sustainable sources. Their Fishmonger section carries a widespread of fishes that provides a variety of meal options. We would recommend trying their Akora New Zealand King Salmon which has been reared in the pristine waters of Lucas Bay to ensure great taste, texture and consistency.
You can visit The Fishwives at 501 Bukit Timah Road, #01-05B Cluny Court Shopping Centre. Singapore 259760 or shop online at https://thefishwives.com/.
2. Kühlbarra
Awarded the Good Aquaculture Practice for Fish Farming by the Agri-Food and Vetinary Authority, Singapore’s very own barramundi farm, Kühlbarra, adheres to strict and effective regulations to ensure that its fish thrive in optimal conditions. This includes rearing the barramundi in spacious, open sea-cages, conducting water quality checks at 10-minute intervals and examining fish health and cage conditions daily. The barramundi are also harvested with as much care as possible and processed efficiently to ensure maximum freshness.
You can get Kühlbarra’s products at https://kuhlbarra.com/shop .
We can’t talk about fish without mentioning sashimi. Thankfully, Fassler Gourmet provides us with both affordable and sustainable options of this Japanese delicacy. All their seafood is MSC and ASC certified and they have taken care to work with farms, fisheries and various seafood organizations that adopt stringent standards of supplier compliance. If you’re looking for a party dish, why not try out their Sashimi Moriawase Platter where you can get 1kg of fresh sashimi for $95.
You can visit Fassler Gourmet at 46 Woodlands Terrace, Singapore 738459 or shop online at https://fasslergourmet.com/ .
Credit: Sasha’s Fine Foods
The produce at this online grocer is fine indeed. Frustrated at the lack of food staples in Singapore that came with no “nasties '', Sasha Conlan decided to take things into her own hands and soon found herself managing a rapidly growing business. 10 years later, Sasha’s Fine Foods has managed to thrive and keep to its founding mission. The produce offered here has been kept as close to its natural state as possible, while ensuring care and respect for the animals, environment and individuals involved in the process. The online grocer also believes in supporting local farmers in order to ensure that they don’t have to turn to mass production where principles have to be exchanged for making a living.
You can visit Sasha’s Fine Foods at https://sashasfinefoods.com/ .
5. Bootle’s
Bootle’s goes the extra mile to understand their suppliers’ philosophies, practices and even ambitions by meeting them in person as much as possible. You can trust that all their produce has been labelled honestly and that the fish you purchase has been caught with the ocean’s long-term welfare in mind. Their Fishmonger section includes both fresh and frozen options where you’ll find different types of high-quality MSC approved seafood to choose from.
You can visit Bootle’s at 733 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169651 or shop online at https://bootles.market/ .
Credit: The Better Fish Company
6. Redmart
At Redmart, you’ll find an expansive selection of pantry staples and household needs. Amidst this wide range of products, the frozen Australian Barramundi Fillet All Natural is a sustainable option to look out for. These frozen fillets are brought here by the Better Fish Company, an Australian organisation that seeks to pioneer climate-smart ocean farming. Their Vietnam-based farms have been ASC certified and they are constantly pushing new boundaries to make sustainable seafood more accessible and affordable worldwide.
You can visit Redmart at https://redmart.lazada.sg/#home .
