our sustainability criteria
Sustainability is one of the hardest things to verify — especially in the seafood industry, where commercial fishing laws & practices are complex and supply chains are rarely transparent. That's why we evaluate restaurants across multiple criteria before assigning a rating. No single factor tells the whole story, but together they paint a clear picture of whether a restaurant's practices are genuinely ocean-friendly or just good marketing.
sustainable fisheries
A fishery is considered sustainable when fish are caught at a rate that allows the population to replenish itself, using fishing methods that minimize damage to the surrounding ecosystems and the ocean floor. Key factors include whether the fish population is healthy and not overfished, what gear is used (hook and line is far less destructive than bottom trawling, for example), how much bycatch (unintended species caught in the process) is produced, and whether the fishery is regulated and monitored by a credible management body. While we, at Honest Tides, could go on forever about sustainable fishing practices, we let the experts at Monterey Bay Seafood Watch do the talking for us! Honest Tides uses Monterey Bay Seafood Watch as our primary reference, as they assess fisheries against all of the above factors and update their ratings regularly based on the latest findings.
transparency & sourcing
Transparency in sourcing means being able to trace seafood back to a specific fishery or farm — yes, farmed fish can be sustainable! — and knowing the origin means knowing whether the practices behind your meal are ones you can feel good about. Locally sourced seafood typically travels a shorter distance from ocean to plate, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-haul transport and refrigeration. Restaurants that openly share their sourcing information tend to do so because they're proud of it — and in our experience, that pride is usually well-earned.
certifications
At Honest Tides, we keep up with the science and update our certification list as new data becomes available! The certifications we recognize are the same ones endorsed by Monterey Bay Seafood Watch:
- MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) — The gold standard for wild-caught seafood; the blue label means the fishery has been independently verified as sustainable and well-managed.
- ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) — The equivalent for farmed seafood; the green label certifies that fish was raised responsibly with minimal environmental and social impact.
- Fair Trade USA — Goes beyond environmental sustainability to also ensure safe working conditions and fair wages for the fishers themselves.
seasonal menus
Seafood sustainability isn't static — fish populations fluctuate with the seasons, and what's abundant and healthy today may be under pressure tomorrow. Restaurants that rotate their menus seasonally signal something important: they're paying attention. By sourcing what's naturally plentiful right now, they reduce fishing pressure during critical spawning periods and avoid relying on species that may be depleted at certain times of year. It's one of the simplest and most meaningful things a restaurant can do for the ocean.
our data sources
monterey bay seafood watch
Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program is the gold standard for seafood sustainability science. We use their ratings and recommendations as the backbone of our restaurant evaluations — if a restaurant's seafood sources align with Seafood Watch's Best Choice or Good Alternative ratings, that carries significant weight in our assessment.
oceana
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. We reference Oceana's research on fisheries, illegal fishing, and seafood fraud to stay current on which practices and regions raise red flags, and make sure our ratings reflect the latest findings.
Source: Oceana
restaurant websites & direct research
Certifications and third-party data only tell part of the story. We also review restaurant websites, menus, and sourcing statements directly — looking for specifics like named suppliers, fishing methods, and certifications. Vague claims like "sustainably sourced" without supporting detail are a red flag. The more a restaurant can show its work, the more confidence we have in their rating.
Note: Our ratings are based on publicly available information and our independent research. We encourage restaurants to reach out if they would like to provide additional information about their sustainability practices. Ratings are reviewed and updated regularly.