Are you a fan of seafood? Do you love the taste of fresh lobster?
If you’re a Walmart shopper, you may have noticed that live lobsters are no longer available for purchase. But when did Walmart stop selling live lobster?
The answer may surprise you. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind Walmart’s decision to stop selling live seafood and what alternatives are available for seafood lovers.
Join us as we dive into the world of Walmart and seafood.
When Did Walmart Stop Selling Live Lobster?
Walmart made the decision to stop selling live lobsters in their stores back in 2019. However, not all stores immediately stopped selling them. Some branches continued to sell live lobsters for a few more months due to complicated processing.
By October 2021, Walmart had completely stopped selling live lobsters throughout their system. This decision was primarily due to a lack of demand for live seafood. Walmart used to provide up to 30% of the world’s freshwater and marine fish to the global pet market, but over time, the demand for pet fish has significantly decreased.
Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters and other live animals has been seen as a bold move by ethicists and marketers. The lobster tank has been the target of a Lobster Liberation campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and other grocers have followed suit. Safeway, with some 1,700 stores in the US and Canada, also recently drained its tanks and stopped selling live lobsters.
The History Of Walmart’s Seafood Sales
Walmart has been working towards sustainable seafood sourcing since 2006, with a goal to sustainably source at least 20 key commodities by 2025, including seafood. In 2016, Walmart announced that it would sustainably source its Great Value canned tuna either from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries or time-bound FIPs actively working towards MSC approval. Walmart reached this goal earlier than expected in June 2021, on World Oceans Day.
Walmart has also been investing in sustainable seafood space and assortment changes, with a targeted sustainable seafood campaign that started in the spring of 2021. The campaign included massive store signage for both fresh and frozen seafood to communicate more clearly to customers the quality, value, and sustainability of the seafood they buy at Walmart. Stores running the campaign and investing in sustainable seafood space and assortment changes have realized around a 25 percent improvement in fresh seafood sales compared to the rest of Walmart’s U.S. stores.
Walmart encourages its seafood suppliers to obtain sustainability certification and report their progress using the Seafood Metrics System managed by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. This system helps measure and track supplier performance on sustainable sourcing. Based on the SFP supplier reports, Walmart shares aggregated seafood data publicly through the Ocean Disclosure Project as well as Walmart’s annual ESG report.
Walmart is also stepping up sustainable seafood marketing for National Seafood Month, with its Online Grocery program featuring sustainable seafood throughout October. The program includes online recipes, entertaining ideas, a shopping guide with information about seafood certifications, and newly launched ‘ready-to-eat’ meals that include high-quality, budget-friendly sustainable seafood offerings with lots of flavor.
The Decision To Stop Selling Live Lobster
Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters was primarily driven by a lack of demand for live seafood. The company used to provide a significant portion of the world’s freshwater and marine fish to the global pet market, but over time, the demand for pet fish has significantly decreased. This shift in demand has led Walmart to reassess its live seafood offerings.
The decision to stop selling live lobsters was also seen as a bold move by ethicists and marketers. The lobster tank has been the target of a Lobster Liberation campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and other grocers have followed suit. Safeway, with some 1,700 stores in the US and Canada, also recently drained its tanks and stopped selling live lobsters.
Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters was not immediate across all stores due to complicated processing. However, by October 2021, Walmart had completely stopped selling live lobsters throughout their system. This move was welcomed by animal rights activists who have long opposed the sale of live animals in grocery stores.
Concerns About Animal Welfare
One of the main concerns that led to Walmart’s decision to stop selling live lobsters was animal welfare. Many animal rights activists, including PETA, have been protesting against the inhumane treatment of live animals in grocery stores. The killing and selling of live lobsters was seen as animal cruelty by these activists, and Walmart had to opt for frozen lobsters instead.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about the ability of store staff to properly care for live lobsters in tanks. The lack of experience and knowledge among staff members made it difficult to ensure that these aquatic creatures were being treated properly. In some cases, live fish were kept in tanks that did not provide adequate living conditions, which resulted in low customer satisfaction ratings.
Walmart’s decision to prioritize animal welfare reflects the growing concern among customers and stakeholders about the responsible treatment of farm animals as well as the responsible use of antibiotics. Customers expect retailers to work with suppliers who do not tolerate animal abuse of any kind and find solutions to address animal welfare concerns in their supply chains.
Other Places To Buy Live Lobster
If you’re looking to buy live lobster, there are plenty of other options available. Burhop’s is one of the pricier locations to purchase live lobster, but there are other vendors in the area that offer more affordable prices. For example, Treasure Island had a sale around the New Year with prices less than $10 per pound. Additionally, Asian markets often have less expensive lobsters available.
It’s important to note that not all companies guarantee their lobsters. Some sites may advertise a “guarantee” without actually offering competitive prices or quality products. It’s always a good idea to research prices and read reviews before making a purchase.
If you’re looking for a more ethical option, consider purchasing frozen or cooked lobster instead of live. This eliminates the need for live animals to be kept in tanks or shipped long distances. Many grocery stores and seafood markets offer frozen or cooked lobster options that are just as delicious as their live counterparts.
