Which fish is lowest in microplastics?

Which Fish Are Safest from Microplastics?

When it comes to seafood safety, a growing concern isn't just about mercury or toxins—it's about something much smaller: microplastics. These tiny plastic particles, often invisible to the naked eye, have made their way into marine ecosystems worldwide, finding a home in the fish we eat.

Recent findings from a 2025 study reveal some surprising differences between species. Pink shrimp topped the list with the highest levels of microplastics per sample. This isn’t entirely surprising—being filter feeders that live just below the water’s surface, they’re constantly exposed to floating debris and microplastic-laden plankton.

On the other end of the spectrum, Chinook salmon showed the lowest concentrations of plastic contamination. This could be due in part to their diet and habitat—they tend to feed higher in the water column and migrate across cleaner, deeper waters. Their more diverse, less sediment-bound food sources may also play a role in reducing exposure.

Other cleaner options include black rockfish and lingcod, both of which ranked low in microplastic content. These bottom-dwellers, while living closer to seafloor sediments where plastics accumulate, may have feeding behaviors or physiological traits that limit plastic uptake.

Still, scientists caution that species alone isn’t the only factor—location, water pollution levels, and fishing practices also influence contamination. But for health-conscious consumers, choosing fish like Chinook salmon may offer a double benefit: rich in omega-3s and lower in unwanted plastic passengers.

As plastic pollution continues to grow, understanding which seafood carries less of the burden helps guide smarter, safer choices at the market and on our plates.