Costco: Protect the oceans, not your image

Editor’s note: This post comes to us from Casson Trenor at Greenpeace. Casson is the Senior Markets Campaigner at Greenpeace. Casson is based in San Francisco and spearheads Greenpeace’s efforts to educate the public about the global fisheries crisis and promote sustainable seafood practices.

Costco is the largest wholesale club operator in North America. People – like you, perhaps – shop at Costco because of its bulk goods, low prices, and the wide variety of merchandise available in their giant warehouses.

But, while Costco continues to grow bigger and bigger, so does its footprint on the environment. Did you know that Costco is destroying our oceans through its horrible seafood purchasing practices? And to make matters worse, the company is leaving its customers in the dark by hiding the truth from them.

Greenpeace and supporters all over the country are have been urging Costco to implement a sustainable seafood policy, to offer transparency in its seafood labeling, and to stop selling red list seafood – starting immediately with orange roughy and Chilean sea bass.

After months of public pressure, I’m hesitant, but want to share with you that it appears our pressure may be working.

Greenpeace activist surveys have revealed that several of the red list fish have disappeared from Costco store shelves. Is this a move in the right direction? A clever decoy? Or, merely a seasonal adjustment?

We don’t know – because once again, Costco is hiding the truth and not being transparent. Why are they so afraid of making a public commitment to the oceans?

One thing we know is that the pressure is working – so we need your help once again. Please take action and tell Costco CEO, Jim Sinegal to stop being shifty and to stand up for the oceans by supporting positive environmental change.

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Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Photo courtesy of Greenpeace

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Linda C.

8:09PM PST on Jan 28, 2011

I quit shopping at Costco.........membership is to high and bargains aren't always bargains (need to use mental math or bring a calculator)...

send a green star

Colin H.

6:35AM PST on Jan 5, 2011

Noted!!

bob m.

2:49PM PST on Dec 27, 2010

Fascinating and though ;with probably 50 times the $$ and many vessels sitting on their keels.
I think Greenpeace should refrain from trying to blow up their image as THE eco protectors who are effective.
Good work Greenpeace but your image in many eyes is anything but as effective compared to Seashepherd.

Barbara E.

2:12PM PST on Dec 27, 2010

Thanx for post.

9:44AM PST on Dec 27, 2010

Pooh! I wanted to sign again! thanks for telling us. I'm not a fisheater or any other animal-eater, but I downloaded the fish-shopping guide from WWF ( Belgian guide ). My parents are now always shopping with the guide ;)

Dianne D.

9:23AM PST on Dec 26, 2010

Petition signed. I don't shop at Costco anymore.

Olivia S.

6:22PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

Thanks...never shop there...already signed the petition.

David N.

4:17PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

We got Trader Joe's to stop selling a particular kind of fish. With enough pressure I am sure we can get Costco to comply. It just takes determination.

Jennifer M.

11:06AM PST on Dec 23, 2010

No meat = Healthier humans AND planet
Seems like a no brainer

Melody A.

1:28AM PST on Dec 23, 2010

The Ocean is a home to many lives where each of the lives in it would teach you many a thing or two if only one would wish to learn.. By destroying a home, robbing them of their rights.. to feed greedy stomachs who I must say DO have options available.. You 'Costco the largest wholesale club operator in North America' have proved that your image lies in harping on other lives glory.... by stripping them of their rights to live free...

Hope you realize that you are stealing a part of nature from your own kids... The only way one can protect anything in this world.. here being the OCEAN …is by staying away from it.. look, feel, be one with it, treat it like your own home.. You are a part of it as much as it is a part of you .. Do unto nature what you want be done to you..
Leave the Ocean alone..