Typically, the word “philanthropy” doesn’t conjure images of hair nets and grubby clothes. Then again, if you’re working for the Walton Family Foundation in its ocean initiative, that’s expected attire for program officers out in the field. “My site visits include walking through fish processing plants,” says Teresa Ish, environment program officer at the foundation. “It’s less sexy than saving manta rays. But we’ve influenced fisheries around the world and have helped build the sustainable seafood movement in a way that benefits both conservation and business.”

Underlying Walton’s strategy is the philosophy that durable change requires a systems approach that must simultaneously address policy issues, private sector engagement, and on-the-ground implementation. This systems approach recognizes the “hourglass” shape of the fishing industry, especially when it comes to the big commodity fisheries. “While there are lots of consumers and individual fisherman at each end of the supply chain, there are a small number of seafood companies in the middle that control globally traded seafood and fisheries value,” says Teresa.

Read the full report about sustainable seafood at GrantCraft.