Forest & Bird releases 'Best Fish Guide' app

Hurricane Conrad Smith attends a live cooking demo in conjunction with the launch of the 'Best Fish Guide'. Photo / Forest & Bird

A new iPhone app which chooses the most eco-friendly seafood landed in New Zealand waters has been designed by Forest & Bird.

The 'Best Fish Guide' ranks 78 fish species according to ecological sustainability and explains why each species is or isn't a good choice.

The higher up the chart, the better the choice - with seafood like albacore tuna, blue cod and trevally among the top picks.

The app also links to the Forest & Bird website where users will find recipes by top New Zealand chefs like Al Brown, Martin Bosley and Annabel Langbein for some "good choice" seafood dishes.

Cooking alternatives are suggested for some of the worst-choice species.

A Forest & Bird spokeswoman explained: "If your recipe calls for 'red zone' species like orange roughy or snapper, take a quick look at the Best Fish Guide app and you'll find trevally and tarakihi make an easy, eco-friendly substitute."

Work is ongoing to make the app suitable for all smartphones, the environmental organisations says.