FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCC Natural Markets and the Seattle Aquarium launch new sustainable seafood program
PCC first retail full partner nationally to participate in the Seafood Watch® Program to help consumers identify Sustainable Seafood Choices
SEATTLE (September 28, 2004) — PCC Natural Markets and the Seattle Aquarium today announced their partnership in the Seafood Watch® program. Developed by Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch® categorizes for consumers which seafood are sustainable choices, meaning seafood species that are not overfished and that are harvested responsibly.
The Seafood Watch® program produces a pocket-sized guide that serves as a quick reference to help consumers purchase seafood responsibly. PCC and the Seattle Aquarium will distribute the guide, which identifies approximately 50 to 60 popular seafood items found throughout the region, and ranks them as green, yellow, or red-species that are either "best choices" (green), "seafood to purchase using caution" (yellow), or "species to avoid entirely" (red). PCC will stock only seafood that falls into the green and yellow categories.
"PCC is proud to be the first retail full partner of the Seafood Watch® program," said Paul Schmidt, PCC Director of Merchandising and Meat and Seafood Merchandiser. "We have always been committed to providing our shoppers with quality sustainable seafood. Now with Seafood Watch®, PCC is excited to offer a wider selection of sustainable seafood guaranteed to come from healthy, well-managed stocks, harvested using sustainable methods."
On the recommendation of Monterey Bay Aquarium PCC will work primarily with local supplier Ocean Beauty to bring sustainable seafood to their customers.
"We are excited to work with PCC to promote Seafood Watch® and the new sustainable seafood program," said Seattle Aquarium representative, Mark Plunkett. "Part of the Seattle Aquarium's mission is to help educate the community about the importance of sustainable seafood and marine preservation. With committed partners such as PCC, consumers now have direct access to sustainable seafood choices."
The main problems with unsustainable fishing practices are over-fishing, habitat damage and "by-catch" - species caught accidentally while fishing for other seafood. Nearly 70 percent of the world's fisheries are either fully fished or over-fished, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Excessive fishing not only endangers animal species but also leads to the collapse of fisheries and threatens job security for fishermen. Fishing practices such as bottom trawling or dredging destroy the habitat and life on the seafloor. It can take hundreds of years for these damaged areas to recover.
Worldwide, fisheries discard 25 percent of their harvest as unwanted by-catch. Historically, thousands of dolphins died as a result of by-catch due to traditional fishing techniques used by the tuna industry. The Seafood Watch® program and reference guide ensures that consumers have all the necessary information to make an informed choice about the seafood they purchase at PCC.
As a full partner of the Seafood Watch® program, PCC will provide the public with sustainable seafood choices, educational opportunities such as cooking classes, as well as distribute thousands of pocket guides each year at PCC stores. Information about Seafood Watch®, including downloadable guides and links to sites about sustainable seafood programs, are available on PCC's website at www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/products/seafood_sus.html and www.seattleaquarium.org/conservation/seafood/
About PCC Natural Markets
PCC is a seven-store chain of natural food markets in the Puget Sound area providing the highest quality natural foods and products to its customers. Owned and operated by its 38,000 active members, PCC has created and cultivated the marketplace for locally grown and organic products. It's also an important resource on food, nutrition and environmental issues for the greater Seattle and Eastside communities. PCC has locations in Fremont, Greenlake, Issaquah, Kirkland, Seward Park, View Ridge and West Seattle.
About the Seattle Aquarium
Since 1977 the Seattle Aquarium has provided fun, exciting ways to see, touch and explore the underwater world of the Northwest and beyond. With educational programs, award-winning exhibits and groundbreaking research the Aquarium continues in its mission of inspiring conservation of our marine environment.