U.S.A.-based grocery store chain Publix will publish a complete list of all the fisheries from which it sources wild-caught seafood.
The disclosure will come as part of Publix joining the Ocean Disclosure Project, which was founded and is managed by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP).
By fully disclosing all of its fisheries’ sourcing data, including information on how its seafood is managed, caught and its environmental impact, Publix is distinguishing itself as the first U.S. company to do so, ushering in a new era for corporate transparency, said SFP.
“Publix’s seafood sustainability philosophy is to provide transparency for our customers while engaging with our suppliers to drive change in the seafood industry,” Maria Brous, director of media and community relations for Publix. “Sustainability is about continuous improvement. SFP and Publix have shared values and vision for a more sustainable seafood future. Through our collaboration on the Ocean Disclosure Project, we are able to evaluate our current sustainability landscape, prioritize our impact, and support the supply chain from the fishermen to the processors through fishery improvement projects, allowing us to ultimately offer our customers more of the options they are looking for.”
“This is a truly impressive commitment and represents a significant step forward in corporate reporting on sustainable seafood,” SFP Director of Buyer Engagement Kathryn Novak said. “Consumers, the public, investors, and other stakeholders can now see for themselves where Publix sources seafood, how the fish are caught, and how well the resource is managed. With this announcement, we feel Publix has taken a leadership role in seafood sustainability.”
While Publix is the first U.S.-based retailer to participate in the ODP initiative, several businesses in Europe have already sign on for the process, including Asda, BioMar, The Co-operative Group, Joseph Robertson, Morrisons and Skretting.
Headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, Publix operates 1,144 locations in the United States.
