Walton Family Foundation grants USD 6.7 million to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership

The Walton Family Foundation has pledged USD 6.7 million (EUR 5.5 million) to support the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, renewing its foundational grant to the seafood sustainability-focused nonprofit.

The Walton Family Foundation support of SFP is aimed at advancing sustainability initiatives covering octopus, tuna, shrimp, squid, mahi, whitefish, reduction fisheries, blue swimming crab, and snapper and grouper. SFP is in the midst of its Target 75 campaign, which seeks to move 75 percent of the global production of crucial seafood sectors into fisheries certified as sustainable (Marine Stewardship Council-certified or equivalent) or classified as improving under a credible fishery improvement project.

“SFP turns 15 this year, and the Walton Family Foundation has been with us from the start,” of SFP CEO Jim Cannon said. “The foundation’s funding has been critical to help SFP translate retailer commitments on sustainable seafood into tangible improvements in specific fisheries around the world. We’re grateful for their support and their continued leadership to protect the oceans and the livelihoods of fishers and their communities."

According to the organization, SFP is able to leverage the buying power of companies, where other market drivers are ineffective, across the seafood supply chain to drive actions to rebuild depleted fisheries and reduce the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming. SFP was a pioneer of fishery improvement projects, and SFP’s Supply Chain Roundtables bring together players within the supply chain to advocate globally for the sustainable management of marine resources and function as a driver for the adoption of sustainable practices through supply chains.

“When you take care of fish, you’re also taking care of everything in the ocean that matters. Working for sustainable seafood at scale is one of the keys to a healthier future where people and nature can thrive together,” said Heather D’Agnes, senior program officer and Oceans initiative lead for the foundation’s environment program. “The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership puts fishers and the seafood industry in leadership roles as they work to improve accountability and transparency throughout the supply chain, which are critical for healthy oceans.”

Photo courtesy of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership