National Seafood Month: Super Green Seafood for People and Planet

Each year, National Seafood Month is a time to affirm our ongoing commitment to sourcing seafood sustainably and to our partners who make that a reality in our cafés across the country. For decades, we have used Seafood Watch as our trusted guide in making sustainable seafood choices. This partnership has helped shape our approach to responsible sourcing and allowed us to make informed, science-based decisions that benefit both our guests and marine ecosystems. Since 2002, we’ve committed to purchasing only green or yellow rated species as defined by the Seafood Watch program.  

This National Seafood Month, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the Super Green List: a carefully curated collection of 10 seafood species that represent the best of both sustainability and nutrition. Created by the Monterey Bay Aquarium to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Seafood Watch, this list showcases species that deliver key benefits to both people and the planet.  

The Super Green List takes the Seafood Watch rating system one step further. Every species is not only rated green for environmental sustainability, but also high in omega-3 fatty acids, low in mercury, and verified by the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University as meeting specific health criteria. What excites us most about the Super Green List is how it challenges common misconceptions. Many assume that “healthy” seafood always equals “sustainable” seafood, but that is not necessarily true. The Super Green List identifies species that check both boxes.  

The list features surprisingly accessible options like farmed shellfish, Arctic char, U.S. farmed rainbow trout, and Alaskan flounder. Many of these species are not only sustainable and nutritious but also affordable and widely available. As Morgan Smith, Seafood Watch Senior Market Engagement manager, notes, “These species often fly under the radar, so our goal is to elevate them and make it easier for people to try something new that aligns with their values.” Read our whole interview with Morgan at this link, and explore our collection of recipes featuring Super Green species. 

As we celebrate National Seafood Month this year, we invite you to join us in making choices that honor both the incredible bounty of our oceans and our responsibility to protect them. Our continued collaboration with Monterey Bay Aquarium and commitment to the Super Green List demonstrates that sustainable seafood can be delicious, accessible, and impactful. You can learn more about our ongoing commitment to sustainable seafood here.