…just to let us down, Chicken of the Sea. Those of us at Greenpeace who dedicate our work to promoting sustainable fishing practices were on the edge of our seats awaiting the notable canned tuna company’s debut sustainability report. Unfortunately, we got our hopes up for nothing.Most of the issues about which we’re most dismayed regarding the company’s practices were largely ignored in the report. Below is a reaction from Casson Trenor, senior markets campaigner, who spends his days fighting for our oceans.
“Greenpeace is dismayed to see that Chicken of the Sea’s first-ever sustainability report does so little to actually address issues of seafood sustainability and ocean resource conservation. The report blithely omits mention of nearly all issues of significance -bycatch, juvenile retention, overfishing, marine reserves, and the continued use of destructive fishing gear do not receive any acknowledgment whatsoever. Rather, the report concentrates on distracting stakeholders, as the company continues to lag behind leading seafood companies that have developed comprehensive sustainability policies (including John West, which like Chicken of the Sea is wholly-owned by Thai Union).
In light of this disappointing report, Greenpeace is forced to conclude that new and more serious efforts must be undertaken to persuade Chicken of the Sea to take responsibility for its destructive behavior, and to adopt the sustainable practices necessary to resusitate and safeguard our ailing oceans.”
Among their other deplorable practices, Chicken of the Sea uses destructive fishing gear while inadvertentlycatching creatures such as turtles, baby tuna and even sharks. This report could have been the company’s chance to shine in the industry by committing toseafood sustainability and ocean resource conservation. However, they proved their lagging behind other companies who havedeveloped comprehensive sustainability policies.
So in short, Chicken of the Sea has really ground our gears. Despite our letdown, we’re committed to convincing Chicken of the Sea to take responsibility for its destructive behavior, and to adopt the sustainable practices necessary to safeguard our ailing oceans.
In this video, you’ll get a closer look at why we’re less than thrilled with Chicken of the Sea. We know they can do better so we can all enjoy guilt-free tuna.
