FishWise

FishWise supports sustainability through environmentally and socially responsible business practices. It provides innovative market-based tools to the seafood industry. It has gained an in-depth understanding of human rights abuses in seafood supply chains, and has established relationships with many of the experts in the field. As a part of their human rights services for seafood companies, FishWise reports on industry, government, and civil society efforts, initiatives and progress, provides guidance for engagement in human rights issues related to seafood sourcing, conducts human rights risk assessments of supply chains to identify products sourced from high-risk countries and supply chains, establishes supplier engagement strategies to address high-risk supply chains, and tracks and reports on novel tools, resources, and best practices for supply chain improvements as they are developed.

There are a number of publications and resources produced by FishWise (see below). Their White Paper ‘Social Responsibility in the Global Seafood Industry: Background and Resources’ aims to serve as a tool for businesses, conservation NGOs, and human rights experts to join forces to improve human and labour rights in the seafood industry. A second White Paper looks at ‘Advancing Traceability in the Seafood Industry: Assessing Challenges and Opportunities’. They also published a report: Open Water: Guidance on Vessel Transparency for Seafood Companies. This paper will provide recommendations for how companies can improve vessel monitoring and transparency both within their operations as well as globally. Recommendations for increasing the global ratification and enforcement of key international agreements are also included to support the ultimate goal of strengthening vessel safety and labour protections for crew. The document primarily highlights four types of initiatives to achieve these monitoring, transparency, and safety goals.

In March 2019 FishWise launched the Roadmap for Seafood Ethics (RISE). RISE is a free online platform that consolidates supportive resources and guidance developed by the world’s leading human rights and labour advocates. This was updated in May 2021. It helps companies navigate human and labour rights challenges, and create the conditions for decent work across seafood supply chains. RISE offers businesses a free one-stop-shop to: learn about human rights risks; find easy-to-use guidance tailored to their operations; and identify organisations that can support them. 

Significance for seafood businesses: 

Seafood-specific with a whole host of resources including providing guidance to businesses on which seafood to purchase. Useful for awareness as an organisation working to support the industry, and improve governance, safety and welfare within the global seafood industry. There are various tools and guidance notes available which are free to use which will help buyers manage their supply chain and make a more informed judgement on the risks they face when sourcing seafood.

Find out more

To find out more click on the links below. Please note you will be taken to an external website.