Moss Landing fisherman, Hong Van Vo, offloading at Bay Fresh Seafood. Photo by TrimTab Media

Buying seafood from Monterey Bay supports our local fishing community here, and it connects you directly with the people and places that produce your food.

Unfortunately, most of the seafood consumed in the United States is still imported from other countries—over 70% according to NOAA. So that supermarket fish fillet may have traveled thousands of miles before arriving on your plate. That’s not very appetizing!

The fact is, just like with fruits or vegetables, when it comes to seafood: the shorter the distance to your plate, the better. You’ll notice higher quality and better flavor in your locally harvested seafood—and it makes a positive impact beyond your plate, too.

Choosing to buy domestic seafood (from a fishery within the United States) is a big step in the right direction. This significantly decreases the miles traveled by your seafood, reducing the carbon footprint. It also support responsible fishing practices, following US regulations and respecting environmental conservation. You might be surprised to know that over 20% of wild-caught seafood that’s imported from outside of the US was harvested illegally. The price tag might be cheaper, but the real cost is taking advantage of weaker environmental regulations. With domestic seafood, you know that the catch was responsibly harvested under federal or state regulations, and it keeps dollars within our national economy.

Or you might choose to buy from within our region (West Coast) or state (California). Each of these options is progressively reducing the distance from ocean to your dinner table. Fisheries in California and on the West Coast are all part of harvesting and stewarding the ocean ecosystem of the Pacific. Maybe you’ve even visited the area where your catch came in.

The ideal choice, if you’re located near Monterey Bay, is to choose seafood that’s locally harvested (Monterey Bay Region).

Luckily, there’s no shortage of great options within just a 50-mile radius. Here’s how choosing local seafood makes a difference...

Local fisherman, David Toriumi, sells off his boat in Moss Landing — *Dock sale in Moss Landing*

1. It directly supports our local community.

Every dollar you spend on Monterey Bay seafood is going directly to fishermen, their families, and our community here at home. From the boat captains to fishmongers, these are our neighbors and friends—members of our community who will reinvest their earnings into our local economy, too. You might even come to know them (and their boats!) by name. As a consumer of local seafood, you’re helping to sustain multi-generational fishing as a traditional livelihood here in Monterey Bay.

2. We’re building a stronger, more resilient local food system.

It’s more important than ever to create a balanced network of local agricultural producers, processors, and sellers of all types. Here in the Monterey Bay Region, seafood is an important part of that equation. Like a healthy ecosystem, a strong local food system will feed our community, create jobs, and fuel our economy. Importantly, it’s a buffer from the global supply chain that’s more vulnerable to system-wide shocks. By investing in local seafood, you’re contributing to a well-resourced fishing community in Monterey Bay, adding strength and resilience to our local food system as a whole.

3. Increased demand will keep more Monterey Bay seafood close to home.

*Local seafood display. Photo courtesy of Sea Harvest, Monterey.*

Seafood is often shipped elsewhere—even exported internationally—because there is simply not enough local demand. However, as local sales of seafood increase, there’s more incentive for fishermen to avoid exporting their catch. This reduces the environmental impact of processing and shipping, and it keeps more dollars in our local community. It also encourages seafood lovers—both long-time locals and visiting tourists—to enjoy the seafood options and flavors that are unique to Monterey Bay.

4. Strengthen your relationship and understanding of our local environment.

You’re more likely to take actions to protect the local environment when it’s directly feeding you and your family. Local seafood creates a personal connection between your body and the health of our coastal waters. As Paul Greenberg, author of American Catch and Four Fish, warns: “As we get more and more distant from our marine resources and perceive them less and less as a food source, we’re more apt to let them go to pot with coastal pollution.” Not here in Monterey Bay! Your purchase of local seafood strengthens that relationship with your local coastline.

*Offloading black cod from the FV Pacific Bully*

You’ll find lots of delicious options for locally-harvested, sustainable seafood in Monterey Bay.

Use the Local Catch Guide

By buying seafood from local fishermen, retailers, CSFs, and restaurants, you directly support the local fishing community. To find out where to purchase local seafood, try using our Monterey Bay Local Catch Guide.

SOURCES:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X14000918

How buying local seafood makes a difference