Embracing Sustainable Seafood: Fishing Sector, Retail, and NGOs Unite in Support of Electronic Monitoring

By Gunther Errhalt

In a collaborative effort, global seafood supply chain stakeholders converged in Tokyo to emphasize the significance of transparency and electronic monitoring (EM) in bolstering sustainability and stability within high seas fisheries. Representatives from the fishing industry, global seafood retailers, and the conservation community congregated to share insights into the advantages of EM and explored pathways to its wider adoption. Notably, four key stakeholders, Luen Thai Fishing Venture, Seafood Legacy, TNS Industries Inc., and the Global Tuna Alliance, issued a joint statement calling upon international fisheries managers to prioritize EM at upcoming meetings, underscoring the critical role EM plays in enhancing transparency and sustainable fishing practices. The Global Tuna Alliance, which 32% of Global Tuna Trade passes through, actively advocated for EM integration throughout the global tuna supply chain.

This declaration comes at a pivotal juncture, as governments, including Japan, gear up for the annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Here, a growing number of seafood companies urge their governments to focus on the development and implementation of EM programs at Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) like WCPFC.

At a public reception following the workshop, Jamie Gibbon, manager for The Pew Charitable Trusts' international fisheries program, underscored the pivotal role seafood companies and retailers play in advocating for responsible fishing practices and EM programs. He stressed the importance of transparency in the supply chain and its positive impact on global fish populations and ocean ecosystems.

This workshop builds upon a series of successful gatherings in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the potential of EM to revolutionize the transparency and sustainability of high seas fisheries. With a focus on the Pacific Ocean, where 66% of global tuna landings worth US$26.2 billion are harvested, the need for EM is evident to ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable fisheries. In the region, fishing fleets are mandated to monitor just 5% of their vessels, significantly falling short of the 20% threshold recommended by scientists for ensuring the long-term sustainability of these fisheries

While international fisheries managers have initiated discussions on EM use, further action is imperative. The upcoming WCPFC meeting in December presents an opportunity to make tangible progress in implementing EM. The event concluded with a reception featuring sustainable seafood prepared by Chef Ippei Matsumoto, one of the founding members of Chefs for the Blue, who highlighted the role of EM in enhancing traceability and supporting sustainable fishing practices in Japan.