Murkowski to Wal-Mart: “No Doubt” Alaska Seafood is Sustainable
Senator Reaches Out to New CEO, Pushing to Keep Alaska Fish on Shelves
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski today sent a letter (attached) to the incoming President and CEO of Wal-Mart, introducing him to Alaska’s world-renowned sustainable fisheries – calling it “the benchmark for fishery management.” Her outreach is aimed at advocating that Wal-Mart make an informed decision to continue to bring Alaskan fish to its consumers nationwide, and at inviting the new CEO to Alaska to “see and taste” it for himself.
After spending much of 2013 fighting against third-party adversaries that questioned Alaska’s sustainable seafood, Murkowski is proactively bringing the issue to the new superstore chief as they work with The Sustainability Consortium to certify Alaskan fisheries. In her letter, she writes:
“… Sustainable use of our fisheries resources has been a fundamental principle, with the requirement that fisheries be well-managed imbedded in our State Constitution. Alaska has earned the reputation as the benchmark for fishery management, both at the state and federal level, and Alaskans are rightly proud of the seafood we produce.”
Murkowski also adds, of the new group:
“Wal-Mart has engaged The Sustainability Consortium to evaluate seafood certification programs, and that its initial focus is review of the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification program supported by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. There are no doubts that Alaska’s fisheries are sustainably managed, and I am confident that the RFM certification program will be validated through this process and Alaska seafood will continue to be available to Wal-Mart’s customers.”
In closing, she invites Mr. McMillon to Alaska:
“I have found that one of the best ways to understand an issue in my state is to see it firsthand, and I would like to invite you to visit with me and have a chance to see, and taste, the wild Alaska seafood that you customers hold in such high regard.”
