Sustainable Seafood Choices
What comes to mind when you think of seafood? Mmm!?! Well, although seafood is yummy, there are a lot of problems with some contemporary fishing methods. Fifty years ago, it was a common thought that the ocean had a limitless supply of fish. Back then, fishers could go out for a few hours and catch a bounty with little effort. As the human population has more than doubled and seafood demands have drastically increased, fishers are having to work harder and longer for a smaller prize. We have been taking these animals faster than they can reproduce for years and are now starting to feel the effects. Atlantic cod, which used to be caught by the boat-full, is now so scarce that a single individual cannot be found on most days out. This example demonstrates how people are radically changing coastal marine ecology and that the idea of an ever-producing ocean is false.
With elevated fishing efforts, increased habitat destruction through the use of harmful fishing gear and amplified levels of bycatch, marine populations all over the world are in decline! The San Diego Oceans Foundation has teamed up with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program in order to help raise awareness about the issues facing our oceans as a direct result of commercial fishing practices. With increased knowledge, we believe that consumers will be able to make better choices to support healthy oceans (whether dining at home or in a local restaurant)! By choosing seafood items from abundant populations and/or those that are fished or farmed in environmentally friendly ways, you will be facilitating the preservation of our natural marine resources!
How you can take action
Your seafood choices make a difference!
Print out a copy of the West Coast Sustainable Seafood Watch Guide to check out the status of your favorite seafood. Carry this convenient guide with you in your wallet. The next time you buy seafood from a restaurant or grocery store, check to see whether or not it is from the “Best Choices” list and if it is a sustainable fishery. Tell your friends, family, co-workers and community members about the Seafood Watch program and only patronize businesses who offer sustainable seafood options.
San Diego's Sustainable Seafood Restaurants
Below are some restaurants in San Diego that already offer sustainable seafood choices on their menu.
Does your restaurant offer sustainable seafood options, but isn't on this list?
Contact us with your sustainable menu options!
A.R. Valentien
11480 N. Torrey Pines Road | La Jolla, CA 92037 | 858.777.6635
Cream of the Crop
2009 S. Coast Highway | Oceanside, CA 92054 | 760.433.2757
Currant American Bistro
140 West Broadway | San Diego, CA 92101 | 619.702.6309
Fish Market Restaurant
750 North Harbor Drive | San Diego, CA 92101 | 619.232.3474
George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect Street | La Jolla, CA 92037 | 858.454.4244
Jimbo’s…Naturally
10511 4S Commons Drive, Suite #155 | San Diego, CA 92127 | 858.432.7755
Jimbo’s…Naturally
1633 S. Centre City Pkwy | Escondido, CA 92025 | 760.489.7755
Jimbo’s…Naturally
1923 Calle Barcelona | Carlsbad, CA 92009 | 760.334.7755
Jimbo’s…Naturally
12853 El Camino Real | San Diego, CA 92130 | 858.793.7755
Jsix Restaurant
616 J Street | San Diego, CA 92101 | 619.531.8744
Ocean Beach People’s Food Co-op
4765 Voltaire Street | San Diego, CA 92107 | 619.224.1387
Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th Street | San Diego, CA 92104 | 619.255.7049
Stone Brewing Company
1999 Citracado Parkway | Escondido, CA 92029 | 760.471.4999
The Linkery
3794 30th Street | San Diego, CA 92104 | 619.255.8778
Whole Foods
8825 Villa La Jolla Drive | La Jolla, CA 92037 | 858.642.6700
Whole Foods
711 University Avenue | San Diego, CA 92103 | 619.294.2800