Just like all animals, fishes* are sentient. They can feel positive and negative emotions. Fishes have unique personalities. They can learn to use tools and build nests.
Unfortunately, they are not treated as such. Sustainability concerns, the documentary Seaspiracy and welfare campaigns are raising people’s awareness over the suffering of fishes.
To protect our oceans and help fishes, one of the best things you can do is keep them off your plate. Luckily, there are some great options to try.
While some vegetarians and vegans prefer to avoid products that replace meat, because it reminds them of eating animals, others enjoy delicious plant-based alternatives because of their ease of use, texture and taste. Try them out to see which ones you enjoy most.
Nature’s Charm banana blossom is sometimes in Supermarkets, often Woolworths/Countdown, and you’ll definitely be able to find this product at The Vegan Shop, which also delivers online. The banana blossom has a fish-like texture. You’ll need to batter and fry these. Check out this delicious recipe. Serve with some oven chips to get the classic Kiwi ‘fish’ and chip meal.
The Nature’s Charm vegan calamari comes ready to eat and is available online from Save Mart NZ or Happy & Healthy. Nature’s Charm Vegan Fish Sauce is available at The Vegan Shop.
C Foods F’sh Fillet and Fried Shrimp, and Vegefarm Vegan Salmon are at The Vegan Shop.
Blissful Foods does a range of frozen fish alternatives. Simply fry the seafood-style pieces to your desired taste. Blissful Vegetarian Tuna is available at Blissful Foods, some grocers and online at The Vegan Shop.
Recipes
Banana Blossom ‘Fish‘
Banana blossoms have a soft flakey texture that makes them the perfect base for recreating battered fish. Banana blossum is available at most supermarkets. If you’ve been craving vegan fish & chips, this is the recipe for you!
Carrot ‘Salmon‘
If you’re keen to try something with a fish-like taste without buying any new products, check out Angel Food’s recipe for Carrot Salmon.
Try the 21-day plant-based or vegan challenge
Want to take the next step to living a kinder, healthier and more planet-friendly lifestyle? Our friends at the Vegan Society have put this 21-day challenge together to make it easy for you to learn about and experience plant-based eating.
Resources include a 21-day dinner menu plan that will be emailed to you daily, and a dedicated Facebook group for support and to ask questions of vegan mentors. You’ll find 21 days is the perfect length of time to allow your taste buds to change and new eating habits to form.
There are two options to choose from: The Easy Vegan Challenge and the Pacifika Vegan Challenge.
*The term ‘fishes’ rather than ‘fish’ is increasingly being adopted by the animal advocacy movement to recognise and emphasise the individuality of the intelligent, feeling individuals we are describing. (The fish-farming industry only measures fishes in tonnes, rather than numbers of individuals.)
Last updated: 14 January 2026