FishChoice would like to welcome Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Restaurants as our newest affiliate. The Surfrider Foundation's mission is the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network. With 160+ chapters and clubs across the United States, the Surfrider Foundation protects the ocean from plastic pollution, stops harmful coastal development, fights offshore oil drilling, and protects beach access. 

The Ocean Friendly Restaurants Program helps restaurants transition to more sustainable practices that are aligned with the organization's mission through the following set of required and optional criteria (restaurants that meet all criteria are recognized as a Platinum Level Ocean Friendly Restaurant):

Required criteria:

• No expanded polystyrene use (aka Styrofoam).
• Proper recycling practices are followed.
• Only reusable tableware is used for onsite dining, and disposable utensils for takeout food are provided only upon request.
• No plastic bags offered for takeout or to-go orders.
• Straws are provided only upon request.

At least two optional criteria:

• No beverages sold in plastic bottles.
• Discount is offered for customers with reusable cup, mug, bag, etc.
• Vegetarian/vegan food options are offered on a regular basis
• All seafood must be a ‘Best Choice’ or ‘Good Alternative’ as defined by Seafood Watch or certified as sustainable.
• Water conservation efforts, such as low-flow faucets and toilets, are implemented.
• Energy efficiency efforts such as LED lighting and Energy Star appliances, are in place.

Starting this week, FishChoice is now the sustainable seafood platform for Ocean Friendly Restaurants. Working with FishChoice, businesses in the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program that include sustainable seafood as part of their participation will use the My FishChoice Sustainability Assessment application in order to ensure that they meeting the sustainable seafood program requirements and keeping up-to-date with the latest changes in seafood sustainability. 

To find an Ocean Friendly Restaurant near you and to learn more about the program, click here. 

Spiny lobsters are sold fresh live and frozen in raw tails and meat as well as whole, either blanched or fully cooked. Spiny lobsters are typically graded by the ounce and fresh supply is mostly available before the new year. These warmwater lobster tails will be smooth and have a spotted, greenish shell. It has a soft texture, delicate flavor and is frequently marketed as warmwater tails. The quality and texture of warmwater lobster tails varies considerably depending on handling. Unlike American lobster, spiny lobsters have a spiny hard shell for protection and lack large front claws. The California spiny lobster season runs from approximately October to March, with ~80% of the landings typically coming in the first half of the season. Buyer Beware: Avoid diver-caught tails that are mushy and textured from sitting too long on a boat.  Some buyers recommend finding trusted brands and sticking with them since some producers add weight with excessive glaze or a tripoly solution soak.

Key sustainability sourcing notes for California spiny lobster based on landings from 2014-2016 and the most recent Seafood Watch assessments and MSC certifications as of March, 2019:

• ~75% of global California spiny lobster landings are MSC-certified (aka red rock lobster from Mexico)
• ~75% of global California spiny lobster landings meet a Seafood Watch "Best Choice (green)" recommendation (from Mexico) 
• ~25% of global California spiny lobster landings meet a Seafood Watch "Good Alternative (yellow)" recommendation (from California)
• Global California spiny lobster landings in 2016 saw a decrease of ~25% compared to 2014 and a decrease of ~40% compared to 2012