Seafood Watch Program Update

What is the Seafood Watch Program and why is it currently more important than ever to heed their advice?

What is the Seafood Watch Program and why is it currently more important than ever to heed their advice? Well, nearly 75 percent of the world's fisheries are fished to capacity, or overfished. Our seafood choices have the power to make this situation worse, or improve it. This as well as the effects of the oil spill on the ecosystem and gulf fishing industry highlight the importance of selecting ‘best choices’ to keep the oceans as well as our bodies healthy and safe.

Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch recommendations don’t hinge on any single issue; instead, they consider the fishery, habitat, species, management, and a host of other factors that affect each species. In this way, Seafood Watch offers a complete vision of sustainability - and has various useful tools for consumers. Visit the seafood watch program for their latest recommendation updates.

The recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed, and use ecosystem-based criteria. Seafood Watch scientists research government reports, journal articles and white papers. They also contact fishery and fish farm experts to form their recommendations. The website offers a complete list of Seafood Watch recommendations and background information.

Supermarket Guru suggests you check out the Seafood Watch Program’s latest updated pocket guide; it’s great to bring along when food shopping and eating out. The guide is available for six regions of the United States: West Coast, Southwest, Central U.S., Southeast, Northeast and Hawaii. Each contains a short list of recommendations for the most popular items in that region; as well as a national and sushi version.