Food & Community

A Catch That Feeds Everyone

Local seafood doesn't just feed those who can afford it. Through the Community Seafood Program, the same boats that supply local markets also feed neighbors facing hunger — in a county where more than 40% of residents are food insecure. When you choose local, you strengthen a food system built on a simple idea: a community fed by its own waters, with no one left out.

Every local purchase keeps a fishing family working and strengthens Monterey Bay’s food system. Thank you for choosing local. Want to do more? Support the Community Seafood Program.

A large, fresh fish lying on ice, surrounded by smaller fish.
A man standing at the helm of a boat, with the water and sky in the background, illuminated by sunlight.

Find Local Seafood

Everything you need to know to source fresh local seafood from the Monterey Bay

Find Local Seafood

Everything you need to source fresh local seafood from Monterey Bay — where to buy it, when it's in season, how to prepare it, and who's behind every catch. When you shop, ask for local, Monterey Bay catch by name; it encourages buyers to source from local fishermen and strengthens the whole food system.

Several red fish with large eyes, likely red snapper, are piled in black and yellow plastic crates on the deck of a boat.
People waiting in line on a dock to book a boat trip, with boats and rocky breakwater in background.

Find Your Sources

Now, more than ever, it’s essential to connect with food harvested and grown close to home, both to feed our families, and to support our local economy. We’ve compiled a list of businesses that provide sustainable seafood from Monterey Bay and California’s central coast fishermen.

If your business sells local seafood and is not listed, please let us know by filling out this form.

Searching for fresh, California seafood outside of the Monterey Bay region? Click here.

Fresh Off the Boat

Looking for the freshest catch? Fishermen sell directly from the dock when weather and fishing allow.

Many fishermen sell their fresh, local catch directly off the boat to consumers. The best way to track these “dock sales” is to contact the fishermen directly, sign up for their email lists, or follow them on social media. You can also download the FishLine app.

In Monterey, fishermen occasionally sell off the boat at the K-Dock adjacent to the Harbormasters’ Office. The best way to learn about Monterey dock sales is by signing up to receive email alerts from the Harbor office.

A package of seafood labeled 'Real Good Fish' with various fish and shellfish in plastic bags, including black cod, rockfish, sand dabs, and a bag of crab legs. There is also a colorful bowl with lemons.

Community Supported Fisheries

Like a farm share, from the sea. Members get regular shares of fresh local catch.

Community supported fisheries (CSFs), modeled after community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, are an increasingly popular way of getting fresh seafood from local fishermen and women. Most CSFs offer members weekly or bi-weekly shares of fresh seafood for a pre-paid fee. Learn more about how to sign up for a CSF.

For a directory of CSFs in other parts of the country, visit the Local Catch website: https://localcatch.org/.

A building exterior with corrugated metal siding, red window frames, and a sign that says 'Fresh Fish Sold Here' with images of two red fish and an arrow pointing to the right.

Fish Markets

Fish markets sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, learn what’s in season, and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.

Seasonality guide

How to shop at a fish market

Exterior of Wild Roots Market, a natural foods store with outdoor seating and greenery in front.

Grocery Stores

Shopping with your weekly groceries? Ask the seafood counter for Monterey Bay catch by name.

The grocery stores listed here sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. Ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.

Seasonality guide

How to buy seafood from a grocery store

Does your grocery store sell Monterey Bay seafood, but it’s not listed here? Let us know

Fish tacos topped with shredded lettuce, sliced red onions, and garnished with chopped herbs, served on a wooden board with lime wedges and a side of diced vegetable salsa.

Restaurants

Dining out? Ask which dishes feature seafood caught by Monterey Bay fishermen.

The restaurants listed below offer seafood dishes sourced from local fishermen, but they may also serve seafood imported from elsewhere. Ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.

Seasonality guide

How to order seafood at a restaurant

Does your restaurant sell Monterey Bay seafood, but it’s not listed here? Let us know


Monterey County


Santa Cruz County

Entrance to a store called Monterey Abalone Co. with a sign indicating it was established in 1990, featuring products like abalone shells and other items on display on shelves and a wooden board outside.

Other Fishmongers

Looking for specialty seafood? Call ahead and ask what local catch is available.

Fishmongers sometimes sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, review the Monterey Bay seafood seasonality guide and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.

Fresh fish fillets and whole fish displayed in a seafood market case, including salmon, tilapia, lingcod, sablefish, rockfish, and halibut, with price tags above each type.

Wholesalers

Buying for a restaurant or business? These suppliers distribute seafood in larger quantities.

These businesses sell and distribute wholesale to restaurants and other retail businesses. Wholesalers may source seafood locally, domestically, and internationally. Ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.

Seasonality guide