January 28, 2010

Major US retailer bans farmed salmon from all stores

Target, the second largest retailer after Wal-Mart in the US, has eliminated all farmed salmon offerings in its stores nationwide in favour of wild-caught Alaskan salmon.

This announcement includes Target owned brands - Archer Farms and Market Pantry – and national brands. All salmon sold under Target owned brands will now be wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Sushi featuring farm-raised salmon will complete its transition to wild-caught salmon by the end of 2010. 

In consultation with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Target said it is taking this step "to ensure that its salmon offerings are sourced in a sustainable way that helps to preserve abundance, species health and does not harm local habitats".
 

Target said many salmon farms impact the environment and natural habitats of wild salmon in several ways. Wild-caught salmon from Alaska is considered a "Best Choice" by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and is certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) 1.

Alaskan salmon is among the most intensively managed species in the world, with excellent monitoring of both the fish populations and the fishery, according to Target.
 

Target's decision to source sustainable wild-caught salmon instead of farmed salmon will have a real impact in the marketplace and ocean health, said Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

Rising the demand for seafood from ocean-friendly sources will not only protect the oceans but will also improve fish and fish farming practices worldwide, said Packard.