December 5th, 2016 โ NGOs Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), SeaWeb Europe and WWF-France have issued a joint advisory note in collaboration with retailer Carrefour to inform French industry, retailers and brands of the risks associated with illegal fishing.
Following the positive acceptance of a similar guide issued to the U.K. supply chain last year, the French adaptation offers expert advice on source risk assessment and mitigation, and encourages action to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishery products entering French supply chains.
Presented in Paris, France, the new advisory sets out key recommendations, including:
- Strengthened transparency and traceability of supply chains
- Support for the effective ratification of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) and ILO Conventions relevant for fisheries
- The introduction of IMO numbers or alternative unique verification identifiers linked to a global record of fishing vessels
- Promote harmonization of import verification procedures across all EU member states, including an electronic catch certification system
According to EJF Executive Director, Steve Trent, there is a growing appetite for information on where seafood is coming from.
โKnowing where, and under what conditions, seafood is caught is vital for building legal and sustainable fisheries, and companies have a right to demand suppliers provide information on where products come from,โ he said.