How to Pick Fresh Seafood
By: Becky Bracken
Published: June 19, 2011

It's hard to know exactly what to look for when buying seafood. But nothing is more important that finding the freshest seafood available. Here are a few tips from the Food and Drug Administration so you can make sure your next seafood supper is the freshest catch. 
 
1. The fish's eyes should be clear and bulge a little. Only a few fish, such as walleye, have naturally cloudy eyes.
2. Whole fish and fillets should have firm and shiny flesh. Dull flesh may mean the fish is old. Fresh whole fish also should have bright red gills free from slime.
3. If the flesh doesn't spring back when pressed, the fish isn't fresh.
4. There should be no darkening around the edges of the fish or brown or yellowish discoloration.
5. The fish should smell fresh and mild, not fishy or ammonia-like.

Comments:
Barnaby Dorfman
June 20, 2011

Great list, I'd also add that with fillets you don't want to see any of the flesh separating. Also, number 5 is the most important. I'm always amazed at how many people say they don't like fish because of the smell..to me that means they don't like rotten fish!