SFP Study Finds Dramatic Loss of Biodiversity in Longline Tuna Fisheries
BOSTON, March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thai Union Group PLC, one of the world's leading seafood producers and one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products, announced today its commitment to only source from vessels that are implementing best practices to protect ocean wildlife from bycatch. Thai Union's action is based on research by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) on the risks to sharks, seabirds, turtles and other marine wildlife in the fisheries that supply the company and an analysis by Key Traceability of Thai Union's tuna fishery improvement projects and in the highest risk fisheries that were identified in the audit.
"Environmental organizations are pointing to the biodiversity and species loss crisis that the planet is facing. The report by SFP notes the significant loss of ETP species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean region," noted Adam Brennan, group director, sustainability at Thai Union. "We want to do more to ensure that we are sourcing from vessels that are doing everything they can to avoid and reduce bycatch."
Thai Union is known for top-selling, household-name tuna brands, including Chicken of the Sea and John West. As part of a panel at Seafood Expo North America, the largest seafood trade show in North America and second in the world, Thai Union highlighted a new 2030 commitment for its fisheries, building on its larger seafood sustainability efforts over the past seven years. Specifically, Thai Union will:
- By 2030, all vessels to implement best practices to protect endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species; and
- Fulfill its existing commitment (by 2025) of 100 percent observer coverage (human or electronic) on tuna vessels through direct work with its suppliers and service providers.
"Biodiversity loss is the greatest threat to fisheries sustainability," said Kathryn Novak, biodiversity and nature director at SFP. "Thai Union is setting new expectations for the seafood industry to protect endangered, protected and threatened species by looking at their supply chains and only sourcing from vessels actively working to address bycatch."
A recent report by SFP on the impacts of commercial tuna longline fishingin the Western Central Pacific Ocean on ETP species found a profound loss of nature and the decline of an estimated 70 percent of several species of shark, seabird, and sea turtle populations. This region provides more than 50 percent of the world's tuna production, most going to North America and Japan. As a result, tuna buyers are well-positioned to drive improvements to restore nature loss and rebuild populations of vulnerable marine wildlife, particularly sharks and seabirds.
Thai Union's "bycatch audit" was undertaken as part of SFP's Protecting Ocean Wildlife initiative, an international, industry-led effort to address marine wildlife bycatch. SFP conducted a review and assessment of Thai Union's source fisheries using existing sustainability data to determine risks, overlaps with the company's key products, and where the most impacts can be made to reduce ocean wildlife bycatch.
The research identified tuna longline fisheries as high risk for sharks, sea birds, and sea turtles, and recommends implementing more gear modifications to reduce the interaction rate and mortality risks associated with these fisheries. The research also found insufficient observer coverage in Pacific Ocean fisheries, consistent with Thai Union's commitment for 100 percent observer coverage in its tuna fisheries.
Key Traceability examined if best practices to reduce bycatch are being taken by vessels in Thai Union's fishery improvement projects (FIPs). The analysis found that many of these fisheries have documented actions around ETP management and meet or exceed the audit report recommendations.
About Sustainable Fisheries Partnership
Founded in 2006, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is a marine conservation organization working toward a world where the oceans are healthy, all seafood is produced sustainably, and everyone has access to sustainable seafood. We leverage the power of seafood buyers and retailers in every part of the seafood supply chain to rebuild depleted fish stocks, reduce the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming, address social issues in fishing, and advance economic opportunities for fishers and their communities. Our Supply Chain Roundtables (SRs) allow seafood suppliers to work together in a pre-competitive environment to promote and support improvements in fishery and aquaculture practices, management, and policy. Visit us at www.sustainablefish.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
About Thai Union
Thai Union Group PCLis the world's seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 45 years.
Today, Thai Union is regarded as one of the world's leading seafood producers and is one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 155.6 billion (US$ 4.3 billion) and a global workforce of more than 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable, innovative seafood products.
The company's global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, Hawesta, and Rügen Fisch, Thai-leading brands SEALECT, Fisho, Qfresh, Monori, OMG Meat, Bellotta and Marvo, and ingredient and supplement brands UniQ®BONE, UniQ®DHA and ZEAvita.
As a company committed to "Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans," Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a founding participating company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and current Chair of Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS). Thai Union's ongoing work through its SeaChange® sustainability strategy was recognized when the company was listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the ninth consecutive year in 2022. The company was ranked number one on the Food Products Industry Index of the DJSI, a position it previously held in 2018 and 2019. Thai Union was also named to the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the sixth straight year in 2021. Find out more about the Group's sustainability at seachangesustainability.org.
Contact:
Charlotte Maiden
[emailprotected]
+1 732-865-6154
Craig Rexroad
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+1 213-705-1264
SOURCE Thai Union Group PCL
The article discusses several critical concepts in marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and seafood industry practices. I'll break down these concepts to provide a deeper understanding:
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Biodiversity Loss in Longline Tuna Fisheries: Longline fishing is a technique where a long line, or main line, is baited with many hooks and spans across the ocean. This method is known for its efficiency in catching target species like tuna, but it also inadvertently captures non-target species, a phenomenon known as bycatch. Bycatch can include sharks, seabirds, and sea turtles, leading to significant biodiversity loss. The article mentions a study by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) highlighting a dramatic decline in these species, particularly in the Western Central Pacific Ocean, a major tuna-producing region.
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Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP): Founded in 2006, SFP is a global organization that works towards sustainable seafood production. It engages with seafood companies to improve fishing and fish farming practices, aiming to rebuild depleted fish stocks and reduce environmental impacts. SFP's approach often involves collaborating with stakeholders across the seafood supply chain.
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Thai Union Group PLC: As one of the world's largest seafood companies, Thai Union plays a significant role in the global seafood market. Known for brands like Chicken of the Sea and John West, the company's practices heavily influence fishing methods and sustainability standards. Their commitment to sourcing from vessels implementing best practices for bycatch reduction is a substantial move in the seafood industry.
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Endangered, Threatened, and Protected (ETP) Species: These are species at risk of extinction (endangered), likely to become endangered (threatened), or protected by law. The commitment by Thai Union to protect these species is significant in marine conservation, as it sets a precedent for industry responsibility towards ETP species.
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Observer Coverage: This refers to having human or electronic monitoring on fishing vessels to ensure compliance with fishing regulations and sustainable practices. Thai Union's commitment to 100% observer coverage is a step towards transparency and accountability in fishing operations.
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Bycatch Audit and Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs): An audit like the one conducted by SFP assesses the extent of bycatch in a fishery and the effectiveness of measures to mitigate it. FIPs are initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of a fishery. They often involve various stakeholders, including seafood companies, NGOs, and governments.
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Gear Modifications to Reduce Bycatch: This involves altering fishing gear to minimize the unintended capture of non-target species. The research suggests that modifying longline fishing gear could reduce bycatch of sharks, seabirds, and turtles.
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Impact on Sharks, Seabirds, and Sea Turtles: These groups are particularly vulnerable to longline fishing practices. A significant decline in their populations not only affects biodiversity but also the health of marine ecosystems.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for comprehending the challenges and efforts in marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices. The article highlights the significant role of major seafood producers like Thai Union in setting industry standards and the importance of collaborative efforts like those by SFP to address critical environmental issues.
