What better way to celebrate a delicious summer and festive season than with a feast of South Africa’s rich variety of sustainable seafood? It’s now easier than ever to make sustainable seafood choices thanks to ocean-loving initiatives like the summer Seafood Guide below, a gift from WWF-SASSI (South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative).
Save these great tips for dining out and try one of WWF-SASSI’s six sustainable seafood recipes shared by top chefs. This way you can enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavours of the sea this summer while being an eco-warrior, futureproofing our oceans!
Dining Out & Shopping
These six tips will help you navigate menus and fish counters with confidence, ensuring sustainable and tasty choices.
Avoid red-listed species
Certain species, like the West Coast rock lobster and Red Stumpnose, have dangerously low populations and are listed on the WWF-SASSI red list. By avoiding these options, you can play a vital role in protecting vulnerable species and supporting their recovery. Familiarise yourself with the red list to make more informed choices!
Ask questions
Take the time to ask the restaurant staff about the seafood on the menu. Find out what species it is, where it was caught, and how it was farmed or fished. Once you have the details, check the SASSI app to see if it’s a green-listed option. Restaurants have a responsibility to be transparent about their sourcing practices, but sometimes mislabelling can pose a challenge. So don’t hesitate to ask questions to get clarity.
Try something different
Instead of ordering popular species like salmon, try more sustainable alternatives. For example, South African Rainbow trout makes an excellent substitute for salmon in sushi, and Cape Bream is a great alternative to Miss Lucy/Red Stumpnose.
Support local fishers
Look for green-listed seafood from local, small-scale fisheries. This supports both local fishing communities and encourages less harmful fishing methods that are kinder to the environment.
Support restaurants that walk the talk
Look for restaurants that serve WWF-SASSI green-listed species, which are the most sustainable choices available. For example, the JHP Gourmet Guide Green Plate Award Winner Beyond Restaurant is renowned for its commitment to a ‘sustainable supplier ecosystem’. They carefully curate their menu to feature sustainable seafood, ensuring that their customers can enjoy delicious meals in good conscience.
Look for certification labels
When shopping for seafood, look for certifications like ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) or MSC (Marine Stewardship Council). These logos indicate that the seafood has been sourced from sustainable farms or fisheries.
Dining In: Six Sustainable Sensational Summer Seafood Dishes
Whether you are a picnic person, braai enthusiast, grill aficionado, festive table fanatic, or simply love cooking up a storm, these sustainable seafood dishes will add a fresh, flavourful, and environmentally conscious touch to your summer celebrations.
Pack an ocean-inspired summer picnic
There’s nothing like a summer picnic to soak up the season’s warmth. Here are a few WWF-SASSI ocean-inspired, sustainable seafood ideas that are perfect for sharing.
Oysters with sustainable bubbly
Start your picnic with a touch of elegance—fresh oysters paired with a bottle of Graham Beck Bubbly, a WWF Conservation Champion sparkling wine. Pack your oysters on a bed of crushed ice to keep them cool and fresh until you’re ready to enjoy. Add some lemon wedges and a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
Ceviche with sustainable white fish
This is a light and zesty option for any seafood picnic. Made with fresh, sustainably sourced white fish like Kingklip or Cape Bream, it’s a refreshing way to enjoy seafood in summer. Simply dice the fish and marinate in fresh lime juice then add diced tomatoes, red onion, avocado, chilli, and freshly chopped cilantro. Let the fish cure in the citrus juice for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Seafood potjie under the stars
A potjie is a South African classic—perfect for cooking over the fire during summer evenings. This version celebrates mussels, in all their glory.
Spicy tomato mussel pot on the braai
Mussels (blue, black, Mediterranean, white, and green-lipped mussels) are one of the most sustainable seafood choices and this spicy tomato mussel pot is a showstopper for any alfresco meal. Simple to prepare but bursting with flavour, it’s the perfect starter with warm bread or a main for a summer feast.
Festive feasts with sustainable flair
Summer, and the festive season, are all about coming together over great food. Make your gatherings memorable with sustainable seafood dishes that are as kind to the planet as they are delicious.
Lemon & herb-roasted whole trout
With its tender, flaky flesh and subtle, slightly nutty flavour, trout makes the perfect centrepiece for a festive meal or a relaxed summer evening gathering. Rainbow trout, on the WWF-SASSI green list, is also a great alternative to orange-listed salmon. Whether served as a star main course or part of a larger spread, this dish is a celebration of local and sustainable seafood.
Grilled Kingklip with lemon green tea broth
This dish is a beautiful balance of fresh, light, and aromatic elements that will tantalise your taste buds. It’s more than just a meal—it’s an experience. Curated by a Michelin star chef who is also a WWF ambassador, this green-listed Kingklip dish is a perfect choice for a sophisticated summer dinner or a festive gathering with friends and family.
Pickled Angelfish with courgette ribbons and yoghurt coriander dressing
This modern twist on a traditional South African favourite, showcases the versatility of Angelfish, an often underappreciated species that’s not only sustainable but also incredibly tasty. A true celebration of bold, tangy flavours and light, fresh textures—this stellar side dish truly embodies the spirit of summer.
Catch The Wave For A Sustainable Summer
As we embrace the season of giving and celebration, let’s extend that spirit to our oceans by making thoughtful seafood choices that support marine life and its ecosystems. This summer, you can enjoy the best of what the ocean has to offer while ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy seafood by making responsible choices.
You have a choice, make it green! And, if you’re looking for even more inspiration, the WWF-SASSI website offers a treasure trove of sustainable seafood recipe ideas: https://wwfsassi.co.za/choose-sustainable-seafoods/sustainable-seafood-recipes/
