Catch of Alaska wild pink salmon. (Photo Credit: ASMI)

Alaska's government in talks with Walmart over seafood certification

UNITED STATES
Friday, September 06, 2013, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

Walmart representatives have met this week with officials of the Alaska's govenment and of the fishery industry of this state to discuss the issue of wild Alaska salmon certification.

The meeting was attended by delegates of the including the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED),of the Department of Fish and Game, and Office of the Governor as well as of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI).

The meeting took place after Alaska's Governor, Sean Parnell, sent a letter to Michael Duke, Walmart's CEO, asking him to reconsider the firm’s decision to no longer stock its shelves with salmon that aren’t certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

“Our commitment to sustainability is embedded in our state constitution, which will always supersede international trade group certifications,” said Governor Parnell. “I am pleased Walmart is taking the time to learn more about Alaska’s sustainability practices and third-party certification. People throughout the world associate Alaska with fresh, delicious, wild-harvested seafood. We will continue pushing Walmart to offer its customers the opportunity to purchase nutritious wild Alaska salmon,” he added.

A day before the meeting, fishermen, processors and Walmart's customers vocally expressed their dissatisfaction with the company's policy not to stock Alaska's wild salmon due to its present methods of certification. Some of its branches, however, do carry the product.

The production from Alaska's fisheries is pivotal to the economy of the American state, being the source of in-state employment for more than 63,000 locals and yielding over USD 6 billion in 2011.

According to what was informed by Senator Lisa Murkowski, a representative of the retailer chain during the meeting ensured that “Alaska is important to Walmart,” and that they intended that he wants that the firm's customers can have access to Alaska salmon and seafood in the years to come.

He also promised that they will review and evaluate the information submitted by the representatives of ASMI and the administration Parnell, and that they will continue working with the state of Alaska to validate the sustainability of their fisheries.

"We are optimistic that Walmart will recognize Alaska fisheries as sustainably managed," said Susan Bell, Commissioner of Alaska's Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, who attended the meeting.

Walmart is the most important food seller in the United States.

Related articles:

- Alaskan salmon fishermen protest against Walmart’s position
- Copper River Seafoods to withdraw MSC support in 2014 
- Wal-Mart asked to rethink salmon resolution

By Gabriela Raffaele
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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