NJ Fishing Group Calls for Wally-Mart Boycott

Wal-Mart, the last bastion of Target-shopping suburban moms blue-collar, red-blooded Americans, should be boycotted – because “shopping for fishing equipment at Wal-Mart is contributing directly to the demise of our sport, it’s supporting lost fishing opportunities and decreased coastal access for all Americans.”

Dang!

That statement was made by Jim Donofrio, executive director of a politically active NJ saltwater fishing group called the Recreational Fishing Alliance. (Full disclosure: I’ve sent RFA a few bucks in the past to help them fight stupid federal saltwater regs – regs forced upon fishermen by environmentalist lawsuits based on fictitious before-Columbus fish pops, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.)

Anyhow, here’s why Donofrio said what he said, from the RFA release:

> In an August 16th news release from Wal-Mart corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., the Walton Family Foundation announced investments totaling more than $71.8 million awarded to various environmental initiatives in 2010, with over $36 million alone handed over to Marine Conservation grantees including Ocean Conservancy, Conservation International Foundation, Marine Stewardship Council, World Wildlife Fund and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

> Scott Burns, former director of marine conservation at World Wildlife Fund and now director of Walton Family Foundation’s environmental efforts, said the money will go to “protect and conserve natural resources while also recognizing the roles these waters play in the livelihoods of those who live nearby.”

If you’re not familiar with these marine conservation areas, they are off limits to recreational fishing, as if dropping a few lines in the water will devastate marine resources. The way RFA puts it, “The end result is denied angler access, of no benefit to the very people whom Wal-Mart claims to benefit.

Targeted marine areas in the U.S. are the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico. More from the release:

> “Here’s an organization which has publicly opposed creation of artificial reefs used by Wal-Mart’s tackle buyers, in some cases openly advocating for their removal, yet the Walton family is handing over tons of money for support,” Donofrio said of Ocean Conservancy in particular.

> “I hope all RFA members across the country will remember that when it’s time to gear up, but I would also wonder if perhaps our industry can help spread the message and support our local tackle shops by also pulling product off Wal-Mart’s shelves.”

RFA also has called for a boycott of the Safeway food market chain, which also is backing similar so-called marine conservation areas.

So?

Why are you reading about this here? Obviously Wal-Mart is a big supporter of fishing, even if the Waltons aren’t – or have been snowed about what these marine conservation areas are all about, or have so much money that they can’t possibly pay attention to all of it.

And note that according to the RFA, this is the Waltons, not Wal-Mart, which as we all know has supported the heck out of FLW Outdoors stuff over the years and still sells a pile o’ fishing tackle.

Still, I like that Donofrio and the RFA are trying to embarrass (imo) the Waltons into sticking with their original dance partner…across the board.