Where does your grocery store rank in seafood sustainability in 2010?
Posted on | April 30, 2010 | No Comments
Greenpeace recently released the 2010 Carting Away the Oceans report. The environmental activism organization once again ranks the twenty largest retailers in North America on how well they are keeping up with the sustainable seafood movement. SOP found this year’s report to have a more optimistic (but still scornful) tone.
A quick comparison between the 2010 and 2009 rankings shows a fair amount of shake up. Target jumped three spots to overtake Wegmans as the highest ranking store for seafood sustainability. In addition to removing farmed salmon from its shelves, the trendy retailer improved its seafood labeling and transparency to further promote sustainability. In one of the biggest jumps, Trader Joe’s now squeaks into the top ten with a passing grade. Just last month TJ’s declared its intent to move its seafood program into a more sustainable direction.
Many pro-commercial fishing organizations despise the annual Greenpeace report. The United States’ largest seafood industry lobbying group, National Fisheries Institute, calls the effort a “marginalized public relations extortion campaign.” While SOP does not agree with that sentiment, we can understand why they exude frustration. Greenpeace subtracts points from every retailer in the rankings for selling Alaskan pollock, which it considers a red list species. On the contrary, Monterey Bay Aquarium views it as a good alternative, Blue Ocean Institute gives it a green rating, and the Marine Stewardship Council certifies the fishery as sustainable.
SOP is not aware of any grocery store chain crediting Greenpeace with driving change in its seafood sustainability policies and practices. However, we believe the organization’s efforts are indirectly making a positive impact. The most important role the Carting Away the Oceans report serves is to continue raising awareness among seafood consumers to push their retailers more toward sustainability.
Tags: Alaskan pollock > Carting Away the Oceans > Greenpeace > Marine Stewardship Council > Monterey Bay Aquarium > ocean > retailer > seafood > sustainable > Target > Trader Joe's > Wegmans
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