Update from SeaWeb Seafood Summit Malta - 2016
SECLG broad requests 1. What are the issues? Addressed by assessment of ethical issues in seafood project 2. Where are they? Partly addressed by assessment of ethical issues in seafood project Ongoing dissemination of information 3. What can we do about it? Ongoing Malta is a part of this
Overview of the morning session Malta social responsibility workshop Fishwise panel Thai breakout session Social risk tool Next steps for Seafish
Aim of the workshop The aim: to produce a clear map of the tools and solutions available to the seafood supply chain to address ethical issues Purpose To present the different initiatives to address social/ethical concerns in the seafood industry. To map these initiatives to the supply chain network to demonstrate where the impact/change would occur. Outputs An understanding of where duplication and redundancy occurs enabling downstream collaboration/exiting. A determination of where gaps occur enabling targeted future work. Foundations for development of a global tool-kit/one-stop-shop for seafood buyers seeking assistance
The workshop Four hours 100 attendees; multiple countries, industry sectors, regulators, NGOs. 22 speakers covering; Scene setting Mapping social responsibility toolkit collaboration information and campaigns accreditation and certification approaches Discussion requirements going forward the big requests
Scene setting; the common themes This issue has been known for a while but brought to the fore by the media (AP investigation in Thailand) It isn t just Thailand Recognition of significant risks in the global seafood supply chain Businesses can play a very powerful role in tackling the issue in supply chains: they cannot ignore it Need to work collaboratively How to tackle it still remains the big challenge
Collaboration The SECLG and EU / US Reykjavik groups The importance of dialogue Essential to work together Value of sharing knowledge Identifying different approaches Ethical Trade Initiative Provide a basis for stakeholder engagement and constructive dialogue Address workers rights and welfare issues Members can follow the base code and implement in supply chains
Information Stop the Traffik Just getting started with seafood in Australia Engagement with public and private sector Guidance and support to manage and eradicate human trafficking Greenpeace Working in alliance with human rights, labour and environmental groups Advocating a number of solutions; ending transshipment at sea, full observer coverage on vessels, traceability Greater focus on social issues in future campaigns
University of Auckland Academic research for NZ Ministry of Fisheries Identified labour and human rights abuses on foreign charter vessels in NZ Influenced policy to develop new law All foreign charter vessels to be flagged to NZ by 1 st May 2016
Accreditation and certification Responsible Fishing Scheme Only scheme to certify crew welfare Complements other supply chain standards Now focussing on delivery Vessel Improver Programme; developing regions to be supported through continuous improvement Best Aquaculture Practice Includes social responsibility >1000 facilities globally certified Building links with other standards for supply chain approach
Aquaculture Stewardship Council Includes social, worker and community rights Has led to real world changes; improved social and employee conditions Marine Stewardship Council Policy: if certified to MSC and prosecuted for labour violations, will be withdrawn from MSC certification Fair Trade USA Includes human rights Product premium goes back to helping the co-ops and workers Now working in seafood, two certifications to date
Approaches Migrant Workers Rights Network Empowering workers is critical Focus on; migration policy, responsible recruitment, developing social dialogue, enabling living wage Fishermen s Mission Building trust with UK based fishers (all nationalities) Important to understand different cultures Recent developments in the UK have helped tackle many issues in the UK fleet Pole and Line Tuna Working in collaboration with RFS and Fair Trade Potential improver project in Maldives
Business approaches M&S, New England Seafood, Sainsbury s Ethical codes of conduct Focus on improving worker conditions Engagement with different initiatives e.g. Project Issara FDF crew agreement for tuna vessels Requirement to monitor and evidence Risk Assessment Tool Seafish, SFP and Seafood Watch partnership Initial focus on vessels One risk assessment tool; rating countries and fisheries (L M H)
Discussion; key take home messages Industry wants to address needs help but does not want a suite of tools/initiative; minimize duplication and redundancy maximise collaboration Key area of risk is at-sea Time is ripe for a baseline: FAO code of conduct? GSSI to facilitate? Don t name & shame
Other asks Continue building collaboration How can we effectively engage workers How can we share knowledge and intelligence Need to drive change at country level; Governments need to take more ownership Learn from other industries Tackle research gaps Align with larger UN sustainable development goals (funding opportunities) How can we manage consumer messaging
Break out session : Thai spotlight Securing ethical and sustainable Thai seafood supply chains: Moderator: Kristian Teleki General Sirichai Distakul Minister of Labour Wimol Jantrarotai Director of Fisheries Steve Trent EJF Ally Dingwall Sainsbury s
Scene setting; the common themes Seafish workshop, EJF reports & Fishwise Survey referenced as raising consciousness Thai Government attendance here to demonstrate commitment to resolution, not deny the problem exists Objective deliver update on progress so far, listen to other views on how to transform the Thai industry IUU fishing & human rights recognised as a long term problem political will to reform and address
Thai Government Key Messages New fishery administration, legal and enforcement practices overhaul, national plan adopted to combat IUU we are policing our work and want to punish wrong doing Fisheries plan: 1.6m tonne wild catch p/a, >42,000 vessels, fisheries management plan drafted based on MSY & in line with internationally accepted approaches Fleet capacity reduction key, including efforts to find alternative occupations for the fishermen effected
Key Messages which followed Ethical responsibility to work collaboratively and to continue to buy to support improvement being driven on the ground ENGAGE Supporting Project Isaara & Shrimp Feed Task Force key opportunities to provide support and establish a best practice model Seafish ECLG & Reykjavik Group also sign posted - call for anyone sourcing from Thailand to get involved
Key Messages which followed Problem identified drill down and collaboratively identify and implement the solutions There has been a foundational change and this is the basis of how can reach our ambition. The new law is fit for purpose but any law is only as good as its enforcement. Addressing overfishing & overcapacity needs to as soon as, and as fast as, it can. Political will apparent participation in panel and focus on the ground apparent
Final Thoughts: Collaboration & cooperation to achieve long lasting and transparent change Engage have an opportunity to achieve our ambitions now the political will is present Appetite to work closely with all partners involved, request the time and effort going into progress so far is acknowledged Issue being taken very seriously and personal pride taken in being part of the process
Social Responsibility Panel Building partnerships & frameworks to address human rights & labour issues in seafood supply chains Moderator: Aurora Alifano - Fishwise Guy Dean Albion Fisheries Brandt Wagner International Labour Organisation Jose Estors - FAO Ashley Apel Fair Trade USA
Scene setting; the common themes Organisations by themselves cannot achieve success Seafish workshop great example of how we can work together Standards can be difficult to monitor and enforce we need better insight to complex issues Explore opportunities to capture lessons learnt from other industries
Key Messages ILO primary goal: improve working conditions in the seafood sector, international labour standards is their tool The Work in Fishing Convention (C188) is one example, covering all issues for vessels operating at sea. FAO co-operates with the ILO and other UN organisations, such as IMO Lack of unions in fishing industry, particular problem for migrant workers who have no voice need laws and regulations
ILO188 ratification progress 10 states required to ratify to become law 7 th state Norway signed in January 2016 Once law: any vessel landing can be boarded Thailand s new laws drafted in accordance with C188 Global Supply Chain Conference in June social governance and difference schemes within scope of discussions
Final Thoughts Evolve operating principles to include all three pillars of sustainability: Environment Economic Social Lots to learn from the UK Industry collaboration is key, sharing is crucial On vessel auditing is key need a complimentary approach and local back up
Social Responsibility Risk Assessment Tool Dr Tom Pickerell, Technical Director @drpickerell
The Request from SECLG Work on one risk assessment tool. Look at risk assessment approach, build just one but get industry input on this (i.e. AIPCE & NFI form a best practice approach together) What happens after the initial risk rating, understanding what you would need to do if a risk was highlighted. Review SFP approach/model, needs to be looked at again. Clarify what the risk is and what it looks like for seafood Identify where the next threat may be to business Potential synergies with business intelligence tools to look at other areas of fraud i.e. food fraud.
Our Approach
External Expertise Katrina Nakamura (Sustainability Incubator) - Labor Safe Screen - Lori Bishop (Humanity International)
The Concept
The Concept
The Concept? South Sea Haddock Country Fishery Ethics Risk High Low Mitigations Ineffective Effective
The Concept? South Sea Haddock Country Fishery Ethics Risk High Low Mitigations Ineffective Effective
The Concept? South Sea Haddock - Fishery Mitigations "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum
Next Steps Build a prototype Pilot 12 fisheries External Review (volunteers?) Feedback & Revision Establish host website Roll-out on RASS, FishSource & Seafood Watch
Seafish Social Responsibility Work Going Forward Dr Tom Pickerell, Technical Director @drpickerell
Our Plans Upload Presentations from Workshop Circulate note from Workshop Continue Risk Tool Scope out supply chain tool to signpost initiatives and tools that address issues Explore baseline for social standards (Code?) Outreach: SECLG meetings Reykjavik Group Guides/Guidance RFS/RFS VIPs
Thank you @drpickerell tom.pickerell@seafish.co.uk