Sea Change Santa Cruz (SCSC) is the culmination of a vision of UC Santa Cruz students to make sustainable seafood an easily accessible option for the public. Guided by the vision of "Full Oceans, Full Plates," we crafted a goal to promote market-based sustainable seafood options through cooperation and education of consumers, restaurants, and suppliers.

Oceans are being exploited more now than ever before, and we believe that it is the right and the responsibility of consumers to know where their seafood is coming from and how it was caught. To make this information more accessible to the public, we created a ratings system to apply to local restaurants as a means of gauging their current and future pledge to sustainability. Ultimately, our plan is to increase the availability and demand of sustainable seafood options by highlighting local Santa Cruz restaurants that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

 

In addition, this website contains resources to help educate, with the hope that increased knowledge will prompt a more conscientious generation of seafood consumers.

 

Consumers are the driving force of all markets, and your choice to commit to sustainability has the potential to impact the way seafood is caught, marketed, and sold.

 

We at SCSC believe that education is key. Take the time to become knowledgeable about the things that interest you. On this site, we have provided bios on several common seafood species, descriptions of the different ways that seafood is caught, and a list of media (books, documentaries, websites, etc.) for anyone looking to learn more on the subject.

 

Obviously, applying this knowledge to make good choices is key. Commit to eat only sustainable seafood and to support those businesses and groups that honor that commitment. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your waiters and fishmongers. It is your right as a consumer and the responsibility of a provider to be transparent. And if they refuse to answer, refuse their business. Only through aggressive support can we hope to reverse the damage that unchecked and unregulated fishing practices has created.