01.24.14

Murkowski Commends Wal-Mart Decision to Continue Stocking Alaska Seafood in Stores Nationwide

Announcement “Clear Vindication of Our Superior Sustainable Management”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wal-Mart today announced that it will continue to buy Alaska seafood for its nationwide stores, concluding a four-month review of Alaska’s sustainability standards and practices.  Senator Lisa Murkowski – who has been pushing back against outside groups attempting to question Alaska seafood since last Summer – had the following to say:

“Alaska's sustainable wild seafood continues to be its own best advocate, and today's announcement from Wal-Mart is clear vindication of our superior sustainable management practices. This is a significant step in confirming wild Alaska seafood as the benchmark for sustainability. Last year, I made sure the National Park Service did not get away with guidelines that disparaged Alaska salmon, and I am pleased that Wal-Mart has stayed focused on the facts and science rather than rhetoric of groups outside the state who are pursuing an anti-Alaska campaign.  Additionally, I appreciate that Wal-Mart's decision makers took me up on my invitation to make an Alaska visit a core component of their process.

"Alaskans welcome every chance we get to brag about our salmon and other seafood, and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability so firm that it's written into our state constitution.  I appreciate the hard work of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and Governor Parnell's office as they walked Wal-Mart and The Sustainability Consortium through our thorough work, demanding process and the delicious results.

"Alaska wild seafood's sustainability is the gold standard for the industry worldwide-- and is one of our tastiest natural resources.  I thank Wal-Mart for its commitment to excellent products for its millions of shoppers from coast to coast."