Sustainability practices have always been something Publix has looked for in its suppliers, including for its seafood products. Publix works with seafood suppliers to balance providing high quality products while minimizing the impact to the environment. 

Ocean Disclosure Project
Publix participates in the Ocean Disclosure Project, which  provides information regarding the details of its seafood suppliers including the locations of fisheries, environmental impacts and types of fishing gear used. This reference guide explains the different fishing methods and certifications of each fishery used to source Publix’s seafood products. 

New State Labeling
Publix’s labeling lets customers know which state the seafood products came from. The company launched similar signage for the products in its grocery and produce departments as well. If the product is grown, harvested or manufactured within the state the store is located, the product will have the state’s label on the shelf. 

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP)
This nonprofit organization operates globally to rebuild depleted fish stocks and reduce the environmental and social impacts of fishing and fish farming. The SFP provides Publix with evaluations and tracking methods to assess fisheries and measure the suppliers’ progress and improvement in sustainable sourcing over time. 

Publix works closely with seafood suppliers and producers for the development of Fishery and Aquaculture Improvement Projects (FIPs). These projects focus on building an agreement for improvements in policies, marine conservation measures, fishing and fish-farming practices. Publix has provided $280,000 in funding to help support several of these fishery improvement projects. FIPs are an alliance of buyers, suppliers and producers who work collectively to improve a fishery or farming area by pressing for better policies, changing fishing practices and reducing habitat impacts of sourcing. Any FIP must have clear objectives and timelines, as well as progress tracking and reporting. 

Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)
Publix has adopted the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative benchmark for the products covered in the Ocean Disclosure Project and our aquaculture products. The GSSI strives to develop an internationally agreed upon set of requirements to compare and measure the performance of seafood certification. This set of requirements helps to establish a consistent global benchmark for ecolabels and promotes continual improvement for sustainability. While these benchmarks will be established over time, this set of requirements will drive sustainability through the collaboration and recognition of legitimate ecolabels, allowing customers to make informed choices on the products they are purchasing.