World Wildlife Fund

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2008 – World Wildlife Fund is one of more than a dozen U.S. and Canadian organizations that today released steps companies can take to develop and implement a comprehensive, corporate policy on sustainable, wild-caught and farmed seafood. The “Common Vision for Environmentally Sustainable Seafood” highlights a clear path for achieving sustainability in the seafood industry.

“Our Common Vision outlines an ambitious but realistic path toward sustainable seafood that businesses can follow to safeguard the future viability of their industry,” said Dierk Peters, director of the WWF Sustainable Seafood Initiative.

WWF has partnered with more than a dozen conservation organizations from the United States and Canada to develop this Common Vision for sustainable seafood and work together as the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions.

“WWF has a strong history of working with the seafood industry and policymakers on environmentally responsible seafood issues and we recognize the value of collaborating with others in the conservation community to reach shared goals,” said Peters. “The Common Vision provides businesses that buy and sell seafood with clear information from the conservation community on how to move ahead with sustainable seafood policies.”

WWF is committed to working collaboratively with industry players to promote sustainable seafood, from sustainable fishing and responsible aquaculture, to protect the ocean and ensure a continued supply of seafood into the future.

"Industry players have been challenged by how best to incorporate sustainable seafood practices into the supply chain," said Peter Redmond, senior director of sustainability sourcing at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.  "Wal-Mart has found significant value in collaborating with WWF and the Marine Stewardship Council. The Common Vision guides industry on a clear path forward to a sustainable future for seafood." The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an organization whose role is to recognize, via a certification program, well-managed fisheries and to harness consumer preference for seafood products bearing the MSC label of approval.

The Common Vision identifies six critical areas where companies can take action to ensure a sustainable seafood supply and protect ocean environments:

• Making a commitment to develop and implement a comprehensive, corporate policy on sustainable seafood;
• Collecting data to assess and monitor the environmental sustainability of their seafood products;
• Buying environmentally responsible seafood;
• Making information regarding their seafood products publicly available;
• Educating their consumers, suppliers, employees and other key stakeholders about environmentally responsible seafood; and
• Engaging in and supporting policy and management changes that lead to positive environmental outcomes in fisheries and aquaculture.

For more information about the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions and the Common Vision for Environmentally Sustainable Seafood, visit www.solutionsforseafood.org.