A red rating indicates that a species is suffering from overfishing or that current fishing methods harm other marine life or habitats; the ratings are determined by non-profit research organisations Blue Ocean Institute and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Blue Ocean Institute and Monterey Bay Aquarium's green or "Best Choice" ratings mean species are abundant and are caught in environmentally friendly ways; yellow or "Good Alternative" ratings indicate some concerns with the species' status or catch methods.
Any wild-caught seafood at Whole Foods Market that does not carry the color-coded rankings of Blue Ocean Institute and Monterey Bay Aquarium comes from fisheries deemed sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which remains the company's primary indicator for seafood sustainability.
As of April 22, Atlantic halibut, grey sole, skate, and others will no longer be offered. Whole Foods Market's fishmongers will help recommend alternatives, such as MSC-certified Pacific halibut and yellow-rated Dover sole and Atlantic flounder.
To highlight the company's knowledgeable and skilled fishmongers, Whole Foods Market will host its first-ever "Fishmonger Face-Off," in which North American team members will compete for the title of the company's best fishmonger. On June 16, 11 top fishmongers will travel to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, where they will compete.
