- Whole Foods won’t be selling Maine lobster anymore in its stores.
- Gov. Janet Mills stated that she was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
- Whole Foods raised concerns about the possibility of fishing gear causing harm to right whales in North Atlantic.
Whole Foods Market announced it would no longer sell Gulf of Maine lobster. This follows the lead of other retailers who have stopped selling the crustacean due to environmental pressure.
In a joint statement, Janet Mills, Democratic Maine Governor and other lawmakers expressed dismay at the decision of the grocery chain to cease selling Maine’s lobster.
“We are deeply disappointed in Whole Foods’ decision, and deeply frustrated by the Marine Stewardship Council’s suspension of the lobster sector’s certificate of sustainable continue to harm the livelihoods hardworking men and woman up and down Maine’s Coast,” said the Statement read.
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative which represents the Gulf of Maine fishing industry, called the decision “disappointing” by issuing a statement. Maine Public.
Whole Foods The Associated PressTheir decision was based upon concerns about Right whales in the North AtlanticThe – a species found off the east coast of the US. Right whales reach up to 52 ft in length and can live for up to 70 years.
Seafood Watch, an environmental monitoring organization run by The Monterey Bay AquariumIn September, there were concerns that the gear used to catch Maine lobsters could be an entanglement threat to the whales.
The certificate for the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery was then suspended by Marine Stewardship Council in November. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, this suspension will be in effect from December 15th. Press release
With less than 350 left, North Atlantic right Whales are considered to be an endangered species. According to NOAA.Unusual death is a result of entanglements with fishing equipment and collisions between ships.
Whole Foods spokeswoman said that it would continue selling Maine lobster caught in Maine before the suspension of the Gulf of Maine fishing certificate went into effect.
HelloFresh also offers Blue Apron Stopping the saleConcerns about Maine lobsters in September were also raised.
Insider reached out to representatives from Whole Foods, Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative and the Marine Stewardship Council for clarification.
