What it is
Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch is the most widely used sustainable seafood rating system in North America. Their app rates over 10,000 seafood products using a traffic-light system: green (Best Choice), yellow (Good Alternative), and red (Avoid). Ratings are based on fishing method, stock status, bycatch levels, and management quality. The app includes a sushi guide, restaurant finder, and the ability to scan products for ratings in real-time.
Why we picked this
Seafood Watch has been the gold standard for American consumer seafood guidance since 1999. Their science team of 20+ marine biologists reviews hundreds of fisheries annually, and their recommendations are adopted by major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods. The app puts peer-reviewed fisheries science in your pocket at the point of purchase. It is the single most impactful tool for individual seafood decisions.
Key takeaways
- Seafood Watch has assessed over 2,700 wild fisheries and aquaculture operations, covering 90% of the seafood consumed in the US.
- Major retailers representing $50+ billion in seafood sales use Seafood Watch recommendations to inform purchasing decisions.
- Their red-rated (Avoid) list has directly contributed to reduced consumer demand for unsustainably caught species, measurably shifting market behavior.