Wal-Mart to source fish "sustainably".

• Author: Halweil, Brian

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail chain and the largest seller of food in the United States, announced that it would begin certifying all of its seafood for the North American market as "sustainably sourced" in three to five years. Wal-Mart will use the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international fishery certification program that assesses the status of a given fish stock and how it is managed, and uses an eco-label to notify consumers. Leading environmental groups Conservation International and the World Wildlife Fund helped broker the decision and will assist Wal-Mart suppliers in seeking MSC certification.

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"We believe it's absolutely essential to take a leadership role in working with suppliers to ensure that the world's wild fish populations can grow and replenish themselves," said Peter Redmond, Wal-Mart vice president and divisional merchandise manager of deli and seafood. The announcement covers only wild-caught fish, so shrimp, salmon, and other products raised in fish farms will not be included, nor will breaded fish products and other processed seafood. Still, the MSC hopes the decision will help Wal-Mart customers become aware of the issue of sustainability; change the behavior of the company's suppliers, processors, and fisheries; and ultimately pressure Wal-Mart's competitors to make similar changes.

Environmentalists who follow ocean issues seem to agree. "Wal-Mart has huge market clout," said Rebecca Gold-burg, senior...