Whole Foods pausing purchasing of Maine lobster as a result of MSC, Seafood Watch actions

US retailer Whole Foods said it will halt purchasing of Maine lobster until the popular shellfish regains its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification or is removed from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch red list.

The retailer, owned by Seattle giant Amazon, said it would only resume purchasing lobster from the Gulf of Maine "when the MSC suspension is lifted or when [Monterey Bay Aquarium] Seafood Watch program rating changes to green or yellow," a Whole Foods spokesperson told IntraFish.