Alaska fishermen are pledging to take further action against Walmart for failing to keep its promise to revise its seafood policy by the end of 2013.
The company’s policy is to only buy seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council or equivalent standards - a policy that has been described as an “outdated and misguided policy that is shutting out a large proportion of sustainable Alaska salmon from its stores” by the organisation Alaska Salmon Now! On 24 September 2013 Walmart pledged at a U.S. Senate Hearing to review this policy by the end of the year, but the end of the year as now passed and Walmart’s policy remains the same.
Fishermen, consumers and seafood companies believe that this decision is risking jobs in the Alaskan seafood industry. Worldwide, Alaska has consistently been recognised for its sustainable management success and Greg Gabriel, executive director of the Northwest & Alaska Seiners Association says, "Alaska has proven time and time again that our fisheries have been sustainable long before MSC, and retailers should be proud to provide sustainable Alaska salmon to their customers."
Alaska Salmon NowI has advocated for Walmart to “do the right thing” via public rallies, social media campaigns, and other efforts, and is promising further action unless Walmart reverses its policy.
"It is unacceptable for Walmart to make a promise to Congress and then not keep it," said John Renner, vice president, Cordova District Fisherman United. "Walmart has rightfully praised sustainable Alaska salmon, yet their misguided 'MSC-or-nothing' policy continues to negatively affect real American workers and consumers. Walmart's policy is bad for America, Alaska, and health conscious individuals everywhere. All we want is for Walmart to do what's right and recognise what countless capable and qualified organisations already do: that the gold standard for sustainability is here in Alaska."
