Publix Backing Effort To Replenish Gulf Grouper, Red Snapper Stocks

Two of the biggest buyers and sellers of Florida seafood — Publix Super Markets and the parent of Red Lobster restaurants — are helping bankroll an initiative to revive red snapper and grouper fishing grounds in the Gulf of Mexico that have been severely stressed by overfishing.

While no financial details were disclosed, the partnership was announced Wednesday at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York.

"We share a common vision to improve fisheries and move the seafood sustainability conversation forward," said Michael Hewett, director of environmental and sustainability programs for Lakeland-based Publix, which first contributed to the effort in 2010.

Most supermarket and restaurant chains that sell seafood have been criticized for years by marine scientists and other activist groups for not taking a leadership role in the health of oceans.

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