Bangkok, 11 July 2017 \u2013 Thai Union Group PCL has committed to measures that will tackle illegal fishing and overfishing, as well as improve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the company\u2019s supply chains.<\/p>\n
Thai Union\u2019s new commitments build upon its sustainability strategy SeaChange\u00ae, including efforts to support best practice fisheries, improve other fisheries, reduce illegal and unethical practices in its global supply chains, and bring more responsibly-caught tuna to key markets.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s announcement follows a global Greenpeace campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis marks huge progress for our oceans and marine life, and for the rights of people working in the seafood industry,\u201d said Greenpeace International Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid. \u201cIf Thai Union implements these reforms, it will pressure other industry players to show the same level of ambition and drive much needed change. Now is the time for other companies to step up, and show similar leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thai Union has agreed to a comprehensive package of reforms, including commitments to:<\/p>\n
Extend its current moratorium on at-sea transshipment across its entire global supply chain unless new strict conditions are met by suppliers. Transshipment at sea enables vessels to continue fishing for months or years at a time and has the potential to facilitate illegal activity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Ensure independent observers are present on all longline vessels transshipping at sea to inspect and report on potential labor abuse, and ensure 100 percent human or electronic observer coverage across all tuna longline vessels it sources from.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Develop a comprehensive code of conduct for all vessels in its supply chains, to complement the existing and strengthened Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct, to help ensure workers at sea are being treated humanely and fairly, and third party independent audits with publicly accessible results and clear timelines to ensure its requirements are being met.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Shift significant portions of longline caught tuna to pole and line or troll-caught tuna by 2020 and implement strong requirements in place to help reduce bycatch. Longline vessels present a risk for catching non-target species like seabirds, turtles, and sharks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Move to full digital traceability, allowing people to track their tuna back to the vessel it was caught on and identify the fishing method used.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u201cThai Union has fully embraced its role as a leader for positive change as one of the largest seafood companies in the world,\u201d said Thiraphong Chansiri, Thai Union\u2019s CEO. \u201cThai Union looks forward to continuing to execute our SeaChange\u00ae sustainability strategy, strengthened and enhanced by the joint agreement with Greenpeace and our shared vision for healthy seas now and for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Greenpeace and Thai Union have agreed to meet every six months to assess the company\u2019s progress and implementation. At the conclusion of 2018, an independent third-party will review progress to-date on the commitments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThai Union has set a new standard for the seafood industry to deal with destructive fishing, labor abuse, and unethical practices,\u201d McDiarmid continued. “This is a great day for the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who want the seafood industry to take stronger action to eliminate these problems.”<\/p>\n
Thai Union owns well-known tuna brands globally, including Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Mareblu, and Sealect. Nearly 700,000 individuals around the globe called on Thai Union to commit to selling more sustainable and ethical canned tuna. Following today\u2019s announcement, Greenpeace, its allies, and the independent auditor will continue to track Thai Union and the broader industry\u2019s progress to ensure these commitments lead to real changes on the water.<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n