The Best Plant-Based Alternatives to Seafood
Look in shops for Moving Mountains fishless fillets (and fish fingers, as good as the captain’s!) Made from pea protein and other natural ingredients, they are also sold wholesale for hotels and restaurants.
The brand was founded by a vegetarian entrepreneur, who was told by his GP to give up dairy for his health. He did, and now this brand sells millions of plant-based alternatives to the masses.
Before cooking, read up on food safety for people and pets.
Why Eat Plant-Based Fish Alternatives?
Beer-battered vegan tofish and chips! (Cupful of Kale)
We are not talking here about the lone fisherman who goes out to catch his lunch. This is not a ‘vegan rant’, more a list of alternatives, as cod is now an endangered species, due to being sold at nearly every fish and chip shop in England, and many fast food chains and supermarket ready-meals.
Alaskan pollock (the fish in McDonald’s filet-o-fish) is now also in danger. One expert says ‘if you don’t know what the fish in your meal is – it’s likely pollock).
Over-fishing hurts wild stocks, and dolphins, turtles, and other sea creatures end up as by-catch. Many people are also worried about mercury and other unwanted chemicals found in cod and pollock.
Over 50% of fish stocks in England’s waters are below safe biological limits. Cod, haddock and plaice face significant declines. Even harmless basking sharks are at risk, often caught in fishing nets.
Due to shortage of cod, some chip shops sell ‘rock salmon’ or ‘huss’ (which is dogfish – shark).
Over-Fishing: A Crisis for Cod and Pollock
Cod once swam in huge numbers along the north Atlantic. Decades of heavy fishing changed everything. Over-fishing doesn’t just mean a drop in dinner options; it can wipe out local economies and hurt the balance of sea life.
Stocks of North Atlantic cod have fallen to a fraction of what they once were. Even with new fishing limits, some cod populations are not bouncing back.
Mercury is a heavy metal that gets into oceans from pollution, often through emissions from burning coal or industrial waste. Small sea creatures take it in, and larger fish like cod eat these smaller creatures. Over time, mercury builds up in the flesh of the fish, especially in bigger or older ones.
Here are the groups at the highest risk:
- Pregnant women and those who might become pregnant
- Young children and babies
- People who eat fish often, especially as a main protein source
The NHS suggests limiting certain fish in your diet, recommending that pregnant women eat no more than two portions of oily fish per week and avoid larger predator fish completely.
Research shows that even cod and other popular white fish can contain these tiny plastics.
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by toxins from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Fish, especially if stored or prepared incorrectly, can be a source. Homemade or poorly canned fish and some traditional preserved fish products are the highest risk.
Discover Plant-Based Alternatives to Tuna!
Dolphins (that swim alongside yellow fin tuna) are at at risk from tuna fishing. Bluefin tuna is endangered, as it’s used to make Asian sushi).
A Homemade Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Recipe
This recipe for chickpea tuna (The Simple Veganista) is very simple to make.
Tuna fishing isn’t as targeted as it sounds. Gear like purse seine nets and longlines often trap much more than just tuna. Dolphin by-catch is a well-known problem—many dolphins swim with tuna, so they get swept up in the same nets.
Popular Commercial Plant-Based Tuna Brands
- Good Catch: One of the best-known brands, Good Catch uses a special mix of six legumes (soy, peas, chickpeas, lentils, fava beans, and navy beans). The texture is flaky and holds up well in both cold and hot dishes. Their flavour is mild, which suits tuna mayo sandwiches or pasta salads.
- Loma Linda (Tuno): Loma Linda makes Tuno, a soy-based product with added seaweed for an ocean flavour. Tuno comes in tins and pouches, perfect for those who want an easy swap. The texture is a bit softer than tinned tuna, but it mixes well in classic tuna dishes.
- Vivera Plant Tuna: This brand uses soy and wheat protein for a chewier, meatier mouthfeel. It comes ready-flavoured, with a stronger, savoury taste that some say is closer to traditional tuna.
- Plant Pioneers No Tuna Flakes (Sainsbury’s): This is a store-brand option found at Sainsbury’s. Made with soy and fava beans, it is sold ready to use in sandwiches or jacket potatoes.
Here’s a super-simple recipe from a now out-of-date book called Four-Ingredient Vegan. It kind of tastes like tuna (especially if you add a little kelp powder). It’s not 100% the same, but makes a nice filling for baked potatoes or sandwiches.
And it’s so simple and cheap, anyone can make it!
- Just mash a can of drained chickpeas (full of protein and calcium).
- Then add a chopped stick of celery (this is salty, and kind of makes things taste of the sea).
- Then add optional pinch of kelp (makes things taste ‘fishy’)
- Then mix in a few tablespoons of vegan mayo.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
The No Catch Co (a vegan fish and chippy in Brighton!)
The No Catch Co (Brighton) is England’s first vegan fish and chip shop! Set up by animal welfare campaigners, it was designed to offer an alternative to fish caught in nets (that catch other species), and help reduce fishing for cod (now endangered), sold in zero waste packaging.
Most items are made from algae-based protein (2.3 trillion fish are killed each year for food). The fishing industry also catches dolphins, seals, whales, sea turtles and sharks – and causes immense suffering and greenhouse gas emissions.
Diners are blown away by wonderful alternatives::
- Vegan Cod or Smoked Haddock & Chips
- Jumbo Battered Saveloy & Chips
- Jumbo Lemom Shrimp
- Calamari Sides & Chips
- No-Cow Desserts!
London’s Unity Diner (helps barnyard friends)
Unity Diner (London) offers many faux fish meals, with profits helping its own animal sanctuary, for rescued barnyard friends.
