Saving Seafood

Broad alliance of seafood sustainability groups call for more international action on IUU fishing

May 26, 2023 — A group of seafood sustainability organizations is calling on national governments across the globe to take more action to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In a joint statement, SeaBOS, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) , the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), the Global Tuna Alliance (GTA), and Sea Pact called for nations to ratify and implement the Port State Measures Agreement; fully implement the Global Record; adopt the Voluntary Transshipment Guidelines agreed in FAO; and agree to the Roadmap for Combatting IUU Fishing adopted by the Economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative Welcomes Asiservy to its Global Partnership

August 12, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that Asiservy has joined GSSI as a Funding Partner. Asiservy is GSSI’s first Ecuadorian Partner to join the Global Partnership.

Asiservy is an expanding family business with 23 years of experience in the seafood market. A leader in the processing and commercialization of seafood products in Ecuador; Asiservy began operations with the processing of tuna for the local market, today they export a wide variety of products to more than 31 countries around the world. Their expertise and knowledge in seafood processing and marketing makes them a highly valuable advisor for seafood products with superior quality standards.

“Asiservy is a company with a fundamental principle: the sustainability of the tuna fishing industry. We are confident that the only way to prevent damages to ocean life and to preserve it for future generations, is to handle responsible operations and to take a stand against illegal fishing and other practices that threaten the preservation of natural resources. For Asiservy Group, it is highly significant to be part of such a prestigious alliance with GSSI, which fully aligns with our long-term strategic objectives.” – Gustavo Núñez Márquez, Asiservy President

Read the full release here

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is Open for Steering Board Member Applications

August 11, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

GSSI is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted, from all of those who are eligible, to join the GSSI Steering Board. Applications are welcome from August 11, 2021 – September 30, 2021.

About the Role

The GSSI Steering Board represent a diverse cross-section of the seafood industry and is comprised of members from the full seafood value chain, companies, NGO’s, governments, and international organizations. The Steering Board is intended to constitute a fair representation of the diversity in role, geography and key stakeholders of the global seafood industry. Being a member of the Steering Board is voluntary. The initial term will be for a period of three years, with the possibility of reappointment. New Board members will be appointed in November with the official inaugural meeting in Q1 of 2022.

Responsibilities
The Board is responsible, with the support of the Secretariat, for the general management and performance of GSSI through the delivery of GSSI’s vision and mission, governance, strategic direction, operational oversight, and financial stability. Board meetings take place two times per year, of which at least one meeting in person. We are looking for engaged partners that provide strong leadership for GSSI’s future development and long-term organizational sustainability. Members are expected to support GSSI programming and promote GSSI among their stakeholders.

Current Steering Board Members

  • Bill DiMento – High Liner Foods Inc.
  • Hugo Byrnes – Ahold Delhaize
  • Dr. Jason Clay – WWF
  • Flavio Corsin – IDH
  • Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly – Monterey Bay Aquariam
  • Lisa Goché – Grobest Global Services Inc
  • Peter Hajipieris – Regal Springs
  • Wakao Hanaoka – Seafood Legacy
  • Dr Audun Lem – FAO
  • Darian McBain – Thai Union
  • Angel Metemoro Irago – Nueva Pescanova Group
  • Judy Panayos – Sodexo
  • Elisabeth Vallet – Ethic Ocean
  • Christian von Dorrien – Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries Thünen Institute
  • Andrea K. Weber – METRO AG
  • John Garner – Trident Seafoods
  • Annika Mackensen – GIZ

Read the full release here

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative Welcomes The Asian Seafood Improvement Collaborative to its Global Partnership

August 6, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that ASIC has joined GSSI as an Affiliated Partner.

ASIC engages seafood supply chain stakeholders from Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam to develop goals, standards and protocols to advance sustainability initiatives that support ocean health and global food security. To do this, ASIC has created a platform where Asian seafood industry stakeholders can collaborate on issues of sustainability and standard improvements. In addition, they have developed a framework whereby strategies can be translated into meaningful action throughout the industry supply chain. These developments provide incentives to producers and buyers on local, regional and international levels.

“Our partnership with GSSI and participation in the Seafood Map project strategically aligns with our mission to foster improvements and strengthen our global positioning in shaping a sustainable seafood supply chain. Through this multi-stakeholder platform, ASIC can accelerate place-based initiatives, by bringing more recognition of our improvement tools that support the improvement of non-certified small-scale seafood producers in Southeast Asia.” said Rosanna Contreras, ASIC Chair.

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Auchan Joins GSSI

June 11, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that Auchan has joined GSSI as a Funding Partner.

Auchan is a next generation retailer that has been serving the public for 60 years. As a changing retailer in a changing world, Auchan’s current ambition is to meet today’s purchase- and health-conscious omni-channel consumers with the goal and desire to bring change to their lives.

“We work every day at our level for responsible fishing and aquaculture. We are constantly updating our sustainable fisheries policy, in response to consumers’ concerns about the quality of products and to ensure sound management of the resource, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for aquatic life. It is through the GSSI programme that we wish to further strengthen our involvement in the conservation and wise management of resources.” said Matthieu Trenchand, quality manager of Auchan.

Read the full release here

Successful Launch Of GSSI and CGF SSCI’s New Social Benchmarking Scopes

June 1, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The development of the seafood-specific social benchmark tool by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) and the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) of The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) continues to progress. On Thursday, May 27, the virtual launch event was held for the inclusion of the At-Sea Operations Scope (ASO) and Primary Production Scope (PP) into the benchmarking tool. The delivery of these scopes are the result of a 12-month enhancement process led by GSSI and SSCI partners and experts.

Thomas van Haaren and Sairindri Christisabrina of SSCI moderated and facilitated the event, joined by a warm welcome from Richard Smucker of the J.M. Smucker Company and Tony Bruggink from IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative. Insightful knowledge was shared from a dynamic panel of industry experts from GSSI Partners. Speakers included Ahold Delhaize’s Vice President, Hugo Byrnes, Sustainability Director of SeaDelight, Steve Fisher and NovaNam’s Executive Chairman, Miguel Angel Tordersillas.

We are happy to share that the first scheme has already applied to obtain SSCI recognition. With this recognition, schemes prove their ability to meet social sustainability standards for fishing vessel operations and aquaculture activites, as well as work to raise the social compliance bar across the seafood sector. This is exciting news, and we hope to see more applications in the time to come.

Over 70 participants joined the virtual event to gain insight into the processes behind the benchmarking scopes. The event highlighted the value that the social benchmark will add to the seafood sector and how the GSSI-SSCI Collaboration has contributed to this.

GSSI is looking forward to continue addressing the concerns surrounding social standards and labour conditions in the seafood supply chain, together with SSCI. Building on the success of the Global Benchmark Tool, this joint benchmarking tool will allow the seafood industry to have access to a list of recognized social compliance schemes that operate within the sector. GSSI’s expertise in the seafood sector matched with SSCI’s experience in supply chain social compliance makes for a strong and reputable collaboration. This collaboration will help drive market alignment on sustainable seafood production and sourcing worldwide.

Global Tuna Alliance Joins GSSI

May 25, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce Global Tuna Alliance has joined GSSI as an Affiliated Partner.

The Global Tuna Alliance is an independent group of retailers and tuna supply chain companies, who are committed to realising harvest strategies for tuna fisheries, avoidance of IUU products, improved traceability as well as environmental sustainability, and progressing work on human rights in tuna fisheries and to implementing the objectives laid out in the World Economic Forum’s Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration.

“The Global Tuna Alliance is excited to become an affiliated partner of GSSI. We are already aligned through our 5-year strategy; GTA Partners are publicly committing to sourcing 100% of tuna products from fisheries with a GSSI-recognized certification, or on a pathway to sustainability. Both organisations have a shared ambition of seeing comprehensive harvest strategies adopted, and we look forward to GSSI Partners supporting our advocacy around this goal for tuna fisheries,” said Dr Tom Pickerell, Executive Director of the Global Tuna Alliance.

Read the full release here

China Blue Joins GSSI

April 7, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce China Blue Sustainability Institute has joined GSSI as an Affiliated Partner.

China Blue is a Chinese NGO that works in close collaboration with Chinese academia, government, and industry for Chinese fishery and aquaculture’s transformation towards sustainability.

“China is an important player that no one would ignore when talking about business sustainability. To tackle the sustainability challenges for China’s seafood industry of high diversity and complexity, we need more creative technology and systematic solutions. We believe working with GSSI is a strategic choice for China Blue to align the local efforts with global initiatives”, said Han Han, Founder and Executive Director, China Blue Sustainability Institute.

Read the full release here

Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Joins GSSI

February 23, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce Fishing Industry Association – Papua New Guinea has joined GSSI as a Funding Partner.

Fishing Industry Association (PNG) provides a united voice for the fishing and associated industries in Papua New Guinea, and facilitates and encourages their promotion in Papua New Guinea and elsewhere.

“The partnership with GSSI is a milestone for us to improve and increase our commitment to the conservation of the ocean ecosystem as well as protect people working in the fishery with holistic approach included in the FIA (PNG) Responsible Sourcing Policy which includes the Marine Litter and Fishing Gear (Ghost) Management Practices and Labour Onboard Improvement (crew welfare, improving working conditions of the crew on board fishing vessels). This partnership is also a great opportunity to collaborate with global stakeholders to ensure sustainability, transparency and traceability in the seafood supply chain”, said Sylvester Pokajam, President/Chairman, Fishing Industry Association (PNG).

Read the full release here

UNIDO Joins GSSI

January 28, 2021 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

Did you know that the seafood sector supports the livelihoods of 13% of the world’s population? As seafood production increases to meet rising global demand, so have concerns over the environmental, economic and social impact of production worldwide.

To help strengthen joint efforts to promote sustainable production and consumption in seafood industry the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has joined the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) as an Affiliated Partner.

As the public-private partnership on seafood sustainability with more than 90 stakeholders industry-wide, the GSSI aligns global efforts and resources to address seafood sustainability challenges. The GSSI aims to ensure clarity, confidence and choice in the supply and promotion of certified seafood as well as to promote improvements in seafood certification schemes.

Bernardo Calzadilla, Managing Director of UNIDO’s Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business Directorate (DTA), said, “UNIDO very much values the cooperation with GSSI and the Food and Agriculture Organization in this innovative approach to promote sustainable fisheries development, and to increase its long-term contribution to securing better livelihoods in producer communities and to protecting the natural environment.”

As a specialized agency of the United Nations with 170 member states, UNIDO has a long record of building trade-related capacities through a three-pillar approach: enhancing the capacity of producers, processors and entire value chains to comply with technical and sustainability standards and market requirements; strengthening national quality infrastructure (NQI) and its services, in particular for testing and certification; and fostering a culture of quality.

Read the full release here