Update: Seafood Watch red-lists New England lobster

On Tuesday, September 6th, Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch “red-listed” New England lobster. 

Lobsters were added to the list of seafood to avoid because critically endangered Right whales can become entangled in ropes used for lobstering. Entanglements can scar and kill Right whales, and with fewer than 350 of these majestic creatures left along the Atlantic Seaboard, we cannot tolerate avoidable deaths. 

The red-list action is a big deal. The Seafood Watch list tells consumers and businesses alike the sustainability level of different types of seafood. Roughly 25,000 businesses, including Whole Foods, Cheesecake Factory and Disney, use this list to help influence what they buy. Shoppers also use this list to determine their meal plans; you can check where your favorites fall on the list here. 

The lobster industry needs to rapidly switch to using ropeless fishing practices, which are far safer for the Right whale. Until then, say ‘no thanks.’