We’ve donated over $1 million to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) since 2011.

As Publix celebrates National Seafood Month this October, we also celebrate a donation milestone to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP). Going into our 15th year, Publix has worked closely with SFP as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship. SFP is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect ocean ecosystems, rebuild fish populations and support those who fish for their livelihoods.

“Publix is proud to collaborate with SFP to bring sustainable seafood options to our customers while protecting the ecosystem and supporting those who fish,” said Business Development Director of Seafood Guy Pizzuti. “We look forward to continuing to work with them to make a difference in seafood sustainability.”

Since 2011, we’ve donated over $1 million to SFP. Our most recent donations totaled over $350,000 and support efforts to reduce the unintended catch of ocean wildlife in the seafood sourcing supply chain. Unintended catch, referred to in the seafood industry as bycatch, occurs when commercial fishers accidentally catch nontarget species while fishing, which is a contributor to population decline in endangered, threatened and protected species. Affected populations include whales, sharks, dolphins, turtles, seabirds and more.

With our funding to provide high-tech gear and training, we can help commercial seafood suppliers minimize their impact on delicate ocean ecosystems.

Electronic monitoring equipment in the Florida pink shrimp fishery

We provided funding for a project through SFP to study interactions with the endangered smalltooth sawfish in the Florida pink shrimp fishery in our supply chain. The project includes installing cameras and monitoring equipment on 8 vessels in this fishery to identify potential contact with this endangered sawfish species.

Smart buoys in the Maine lobster and Canadian snow crab fisheries

Our donations also support 2 projects to eliminate ghost gear within our lobster and snow crab fishery supply chain. Ghost gear is abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear that can be harmful to marine life, such as the endangered North Atlantic right whale, and can negatively impact marine habitats. Smart buoys are GPS tracking devices that attach to existing fishing gear to monitor its location and movement in real time, guaranteeing that it can be retrieved to avoid harming marine life or damaging habitats.

Addressing bycatch in the Eastern Pacific Ocean mahi-mahi fishery

Our most recent contribution to SFP, together with the Global Mahi Supply Chain Roundtable, supports sustainable fishing practices and bycatch reduction of endangered, threatened and protected species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean mahi-mahi fishery. This effort helps to empower fishers with training, practical tools and recognition to support the long-term health of the fishery and reduce or prevent bycatch.

Learn more about our efforts

Visit our corporate social responsibility site to learn more about our sustainable seafood practices.