Buying seafood

Seafood is available to buy fresh, frozen or cured. Your fishmonger or supermarket seafood counter should stock a wide selection of fish and seafood.

If unsure about what you wish to buy, don't hesitate to ask your server for assistance. Your fishmonger should be happy to prepare any seafood for you in exactly the way you want.  If the seafood you want is not available, similar species can often be substituted.

What to look out for :

• Whole fresh fish will have eyes that are bright and not sunken. The skin should have a shiny moist, firm apperance. You should also notice a pleasant sea fresh aroma if the fish is really fresh. 

• When buying fillets look out for neat and well trimmed fillets with a white translucent appearance.

• Smoked fish should look glossy and have a fresh 'smoky' aroma.

• When selecting shellfish choose shells which are tightly closed and without any gaps or cracks.

• Lobsters and crabs should feel heavy for their size.

• When buying frozen seafood check that the fish is frozen solid with no signs of partial thawing. Make sure that packaging is undamaged and if possible check that there is no sign of freezer burn.