This is great news for Bristol Bay, and the fisherfolk and communities that rely upon it.
From the Anchorage Daily News/Associated Press earlier today:
“Target Corp., the nation’s second-largest discounter after Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said Tuesday that it pulled all farmed salmon from its stores as it looks to be more environmentally conscious.
The retailer said it will no longer carry farmed salmon in its fresh, frozen or smoked seafood sections. The move impacts national brands and the chain’s own Archer Farms and Market Pantry brands, which will now use wild-caught Alaska salmon.”
The more valuable the Bristol Bay salmon fishery appears to Alaska, the less support (hopefully) there will be for Anglo American’s Pebble mine proposal. The Pebble mine proposal — which is overwhelmingly opposed by Bristol Bay residents — would be the largest open pit mine in North America.
It is curious, however, that Target has refused to sign on to either the Golden Rules of Responsible Mining/Sourcing or the jewelery retailer’s Bristol Bay pledge not to source metals from the Pebble mine proposal. Perhaps this action on behalf of wild salmon signals a new day at Target.
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