regional management organizations should not buy product from any
vessel listed on an IUU fishing blacklist. Second, all vessels should be
officially registered within their respective fishing zones and provide valid
national certification, fishing permits, and other authorized documentation,
verified by their respective governments. Lastly, the catch should be
traceable and transparent. FCF's ERP system allows buyers to trace every
tuna back to the specific fishing vessel, including the fishing period and
location, ensuring traceability.
FCF requires all supply chain partners to sign a catch procurement
agreement. This agreement stipulates that if the source of any provided fish
is suspected of IUU activity or inaccurate reporting, the supplier must
cooperate and provide relevant evidence to clarify the matter. Suppliers
must acknowledge that any catch derived from human trafficking or forced
labor is strictly prohibited.
Additionally, FCF mandates that supply chain partners participate in
their Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) and sign a sustainable tuna policy
commitment letter, which includes preventing IUU tuna products as a
primary rule and ensuring all seafood is traceable to its original trip and
compliant with valid fishing licenses and legally authorized fishing vessels.
FCF has signed an MOU with the UK-based Environmental Justice
Foundation (EJF) and the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan
(EAST). This collaboration promotes a traceability and transparency
project for the seafood supply chain, encompassing 52 indicators. The
process aims to ensure thorough monitoring, with the two NGOs
comparing international norms and standards.
During her interview, FCF Associate Manager Chiang outlined key
challenges to improving labor rights in the fishing industry: First, there is
a significant gap in understanding and information exchange between
foreign fishers and their employers. This involves not only the corporate
level but also intergovernmental coordination. Second, many industry
operators do not yet view labor rights as a fundamental part of management
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