MINNEAPOLIS — Citing environmental concerns, Target yesterday announced it will no longer sell farmed salmon at its stores, and will instead offer only wild-caught Alaskan salmon products.

Environmental activism groups have become increasingly critical of open net-pen salmon farms, which release pollution, chemicals and parasites into the surrounding ocean, disrupting and sometimes decimating wild fish populations in the area.

"Target strives to be a responsible steward of the environment, while also providing our guests with the highest-quality food choices," Greg Duppler, senior vice president, merchandising for Target, said in a release. "Our guests now have an array of sustainable seafood choices at great prices."

In related news, Safeway yesterday announced plans to partner with marine conservation group FishWise to develop and implement a more comprehensive sustainable seafood policy. According to a release from the Pleasanton, Calif.-based grocer, Fishwise will deploy “a detailed sourcing assessment on behalf of Safeway [and] prioritize suppliers and products for environmental improvement plans” during the coming years.

Safeway will also implement a traceability system to screen out suppliers that do not conform to its new policies, and will discontinue sales of grouper, monkfish and red-snapper, due to overfishing concerns linked to those species.

“We hope this partnership will lead to a more sustainable product selection for our customers as well as improved transparency with our suppliers, and ultimately, healthy oceans and freshwater ecosystems for future generations,” said Jim Bluming, vice president of seafood marketing for Safeway.

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