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Kroger Announces Seafood Sustainability Moves

CINCINNATI — As part of a series of moves aimed at seafood sustainability, Kroger Co. here announced it is committed to sourcing 100% of the top 20 wild-caught species from fisheries that are Marine Stewardship Council-certified, in MSC full assessment, or engaged in a World Wildlife Fund fishery improvement project by the year 2015.

Today, 65% of Kroger's top 20 wild-caught fresh and frozen species are sourced from fisheries meeting these standards, the company said.

In addition, Kroger has set a goal to source 75% of the top 20 species by volume from MSC-certified fisheries by 2015. At present, approximately 50% of Kroger's top 20 species by volume are sourced from MSC-certified fisheries.

Kroger is also working with the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s “Best Aquaculture Practices” program to ensure that the farmed seafood sold in its stores meets strict standards for sustainability. And since the beginning of this year, Kroger has discontinued sourcing and sales of shark, bluefin tuna, marlin, and – beginning in October – skates and rays, due to the increasing sustainability concerns surrounding these species.

In October, Kroger launched a campaign to educate customers and associates about the importance of sustainable seafood practices, corresponding with National Seafood Month. The campaign included in-store stanchion and counter top signs and brochures and an updated sustainable seafood section of the company's sustainability website.