Nov 28th, 2023
Fishery improvement projects (FIPs) are increasingly terms used when discussing long term ocean sustainability. However, like much of the wider industry they seek to reform, general understanding about that these projects are and how they can benefit ocean conservation hasn’t been encouraged.
By Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union Group and Chair of SeaBOS
I have recently returned from Busan, Korea, where the CEOs of nine of the world’s largest seafood producers met to discuss how we can collectively address some of the most challenging issues facing our industry.
Collaboration is incredibly important if we are to achieve impactful, and positive, change. The ability to bring together the leaders of these global seafood companies presents a unique and critical opportunity to use our combined strength for good.
We first joined forces in 2016 when we formed the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS), an initiative that not only involves collaboration among these nine companies but also embraces science and academia to find solutions to the challenges we face. At the time, we laid out 10 commitments that the members would implement collectively, including providing healthy food from a healthy ocean, taking action and being transparent, and creating transformation change through collaboration.
Together, we are at the forefront of an exciting and crucial journey towards sustainable ocean stewardship.
Thai Union Group’s decision to become a member of SeaBOS stemmed from our deep-rooted belief in the power of collaboration to drive significant change. Through SeaBOS, we saw an opportunity to amplify our impact, learn from peers, and contribute to a collective effort that goes beyond what any single company can achieve alone. Our involvement also reflects Thai Union’s commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
At our eighth multi-day CEO keystone dialogue in Busan, SeaBOS launched our Impact Report 2023, highlighting the collective achievements of its members, including Thai Union.
The Impact Report showcases how SeaBOS has been working to reduce Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and eliminate modern slavery in our operations and supply chains, in a way that others can follow. Together, we have also been advancing the protection of endangered species, reducing the use of antibiotics, addressing climate change, and reducing the amount of plastic pollution in the oceans. It’s a testament to the power of collective action in driving positive change in ocean stewardship.
In Busan, we also agreed to deepen our collaboration in more substantial and challenging ways. This included committing to engaging in two keystone projects, developed through extensive collaboration and risk assessment. These projects are:
• Advancing Traceability and Transparency: This project focuses on the west coast of Africa, aiming to eliminate IUU fishing and modern slavery. By collectively implementing advanced traceability and transparency measures, we aim to ensure ethical practices and sustainability in one of the most critical fishing regions in the world.
• Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: This project involves developing protocols to test for antimicrobial resistant genes in aquaculture settings in Thailand. This initiative is crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and ensuring the safety of seafood. The potential to expand this project to additional countries and species underscores its significance in global aquaculture.
As the current Chair of SeaBOS, I am proud to lead an organization that is not only shaping the future of the seafood industry but also safeguarding our oceans for generations to come. Together, we are setting a new standard for sustainability in the seafood industry, proving that responsible business is not just good for the planet, but also for business.