Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions Issues Guidance to Tackle Environmental and Social Challenges Facing Seafood Industry
The global seafood trade operates through intricate supply chains, where products frequently traverse multiple intermediaries and traverse various countries before reaching consumers.
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Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions Unveils New Guidelines to Address Social and Environmental Challenges in Global Seafood Supply Chains
The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, a U.S.-based NGO dedicated to enhancing the presence of responsibly sourced seafood in the global market, has highlighted the heightened risk of environmental and social issues within the intricate global seafood supply chain.
To counteract these challenges, the nonprofit has introduced a comprehensive set of guidelines, measures, and resources to assist companies in tackling social and environmental concerns prevalent in seafood production.
Ryan Bigelow, a project director at the Conservation Alliance, emphasized the significant update to the guidance, emphasizing its focus on incorporating social responsibility into fundamental practices. He anticipates that these guidelines will aid companies in achieving their goals of delivering socially and environmentally responsible products to consumers.
Released amidst recent investigations into alleged forced labor within the seafood supply chains of India, China, and North Korea, and in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain, the alliance aims to equip companies with resources to prioritize humane working conditions and fair treatment for workers.
The guidance includes practical tools and checklists based on globally accepted frameworks, enabling businesses to identify, assess, and mitigate human rights and environmental risks throughout their operations and supply chains. Additionally, it showcases successful programs implemented by companies of varying sizes and supply chains.
According to Bigelow, aligning with the alliance's ambitious target of ensuring at least 75 percent of global seafood production is environmentally and socially responsible by 2030, the updated guidance represents a crucial step forward. However, he stressed the urgency of addressing forced labor, which currently generates significant illegal profits, necessitating immediate action from the industry.
Collaboration with industry experts, practitioners, and academics, including organizations like Fishwise, Seafood Watch, and New England Seafoods, played a vital role in developing the updated guidance, reflecting a collective effort to drive positive change within the seafood industry.