Our Local Catch Guide

Everything you need to know to source fresh local seafood from the Monterey Bay


 

Get to know the species

Learn more about the species that inhabit the Monterey Bay, and the seasonality of when they are available in your local markets and restaurants. Plus learning more about the fish that you order helps appreciate the unique qualities of each species, and will help you be inspired in the best ways to prepare it!


Know What’s Seasonally Available

Seafood Seasonality Guide

When you shop for seafood at a grocery store or supermarket, ask for locally-caught seafood that is in season. This encourages fish buyers to source from Monterey Bay fishermen and strengthens our local food system as a whole. Check out our seasonality chart below to help understand what time of year certain species are typically landed. Please note the disclaimer that this information is subject to regulatory changes each year.

*Disclaimer: regulatory changes and season closures may occur with certain species year-to-year. See CDFW’s commercial fisheries page for updated information

*Locally caught salmon will not be available in 2024 due to full season closure


Find Your Sources

Now, more than ever, it’s essential to connect with food harvested and grown close to home, both to feed our families, and to support our local economy. We’ve compiled a list of businesses that provide sustainable seafood from Monterey Bay and California’s central coast fishermen.

Fresh Off The Boat

Community Supported Fisheries

Fish Markets & Other Fishmongers

Grocery Stores

Restaurants

Wholesalers

If your business sells local seafood and is not listed, please let us know by filling out this form.

Searching for fresh, California seafood outside of the Monterey Bay region? Click here.


The K-Dock in Monterey Harbor

Fresh Off the Boat

Many fishermen sell their fresh, local catch directly off the boat to consumers. The best way to track these “dock sales” is to contact the fishermen directly, sign up for their email lists, or follow them on social media. You can also download the FishLine app. Learn more about how to buy seafood off the boat.

In Monterey, fishermen occasionally sell off the boat at the K-Dock adjacent to the Harbormasters’ Office. The best way to learn about Monterey dock sales is by signing up to receive email alerts from the Harbor office.


Community Supported Fisheries

Community supported fisheries (CSFs), modeled after community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, are an increasingly popular way of getting fresh seafood from local fishermen and women. Most CSFs offer members weekly or bi-weekly shares of fresh seafood for a pre-paid fee. Learn more about how to sign up for a CSF.

For a directory of CSFs in other parts of the country, visit the Local Catch website: https://localcatch.org/.

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Fish Markets

Fish markets sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, learn what’s in season, and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch. Learn more about how to shop at a fish market.


Other Fishmongers

Fishmongers sometimes sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, learn what’s in season, and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.


Grocery Stores

The grocery stores listed here sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, learn what’s in season, and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch. Learn more about how to buy seafood from a grocery store.

Does your grocery store sell Monterey Bay seafood, but it’s not listed here? Let us know!


Restaurants

The restaurants listed below offer seafood dishes sourced from local fishermen, but they also likely serve seafood imported from elsewhere. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, learn what’s in season, and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch. Learn more about how to order seafood at a restaurant.

Does your restaurant sell Monterey Bay seafood, but you’re not listed here? Let us know!

Monterey County

Santa Cruz County

We encourage you to support all restaurants during this crisis. For a full list of restaurants offering pick-up or delivery services during the COVID-19 crisis, visit the Edible Monterey Bay restaurant list or the City of Monterey restaurant list.

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Wholesalers

These businesses sell and distribute wholesale (large quantities at reduced prices) to restaurants and other retail businesses. Wholesalers often buy and sell seafood from a variety of sources—local, domestic, and international. If you want to be sure you’re supporting our local fishing economy, learn what’s in season, and ask for local, Monterey Bay catch.