Vol. 5
Company Update
This is the 5th Company Update Report that FCF Co., Ltd. (FCF) has published.
June 27, 2022
© 2022 FCF Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
About
This
Update
This is the 5th Company Update Report that FCF Co., Ltd. (FCF) has published. We continue to strive to address some of the biggest challenges facing tuna supply chains through our initiatives and collaborations with governments, scholars, business partners, and our subsidiaries. For this report, we have organized our efforts into three pillars: Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
This report provides our latest company updates, as well as the progress of key projects, from January 2022 to June 2022. We are pleased to introduce the newly formed department, Vessel Support and Governance (VSG). VSG is a comprehensive vessel support team that assists vessel owners, our important business partners, by providing them with integrated supply chain solutions. In Social Responsibility, we are working with several organizations and authorities to promote the fair treatment of crew members and are planning to roll out an enhanced Worker’s Voice Grievance Program, “Worker’s Voice 2.0” mobile app, with a newly added instant message function for crew members. In Sustainability, we’ve made progress on FCF-led Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) assessments and worked with Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GSDT) to enhance and assess FCF’s supply chain data traceability readiness. In May of this year, two of our subsidiaries officially joined the Global Tuna Alliance (GTA). In Corporate Social Responsibility, FCF fully implemented the company’s “Code of Conduct” which was published late last year. Additionally, FCF’s Papua New Guinea-based subsidiary SSTC, participated in a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) development project wherein device materials were donated to local communities. Lastly, FCF is working with schools and major recruitment agencies in Taiwan to cultivate and educate the next generation of talent and leaders.
We will further detail our endeavors in the following sections.
Thank you for supporting FCF.
New Department of FCF
Vessel
Service &
Governance
Team
We’d like to introduce you to FCF’s newly formed department, the Vessel Service & Governance Team (VSG). VSG specializes in supporting vessels for certification, provision services, logistical supervision, social audit scheduling, due diligence checks, quality assurance, capacity building, and compliance.
First Priority of VSG
FCF is working with academics, external experts, and our suppliers to develop a due diligence procedure to help identify and address management risks within our own supply chain. These risks can include compliance with Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) regulations and national fishery laws, social responsibility, and environmental conservation.
The due diligence protocol will also provide a toolkit to our suppliers with the aim of improving the tuna industry through collaboration on action plans, promoting best practices, and regular information sharing on topics related to fishery sustainability and social responsibility.
Since FCF launched the Social Responsibility Program in 2017, it has developed an array of solutions for issues faced by fisheries. In the first half of 2022, through the active promotion by FCF and the participation of supply chain partners, a number of projects have achieved significant progress.
FCF Conducts vessel Social audit at Foreign Fishing Base
FCF continues to focus on the social responsibility program, having scheduled a third-party audit firm to conduct vessel audits at foreign fishing bases during the first half of 2022. FCF will continue to assist vessel owners in improving their practices based on the audit findings.
Progress of Responsible Recruitment Project
The Responsible Recruitment Project between FCF and the Indonesia Fisherman Association (INFISA) has entered a new stage. FCF has actively introduced the concept of management systems, completed the preparation of relevant training materials, and organized a two-day training seminar in Tegal, Indonesia. The seminar will provide training for INFISA, and four Indonesian recruitment agencies who work with INFISA, to strengthen management knowledge to ensure that recruitment processes align with international best practices.
FCF Hosts a
Focus Group & Panel Discussion
for Social Responsibility
FCF held a focus group and panel discussion on April 29th. The focus group discussed the industry’s challenges and conundrums and best practices, as well as potential approaches to address labor risks in distant water fisheries. FCF intends to develop action plans with the various stakeholders based on these discussions.
A New step of
Worker's Voice PrOJECT
FCF’s Worker’s Voice Project enters a new phase. During the continuous improvement process of this project, it was discovered that after crew members filled out questionnaires via a QR-Code, there were instances in which it would be helpful for the Seaman and Fishermen Service Center (SFSC) to be able to contact the crew directly. Therefore, a mobile app has been developed to provide an instant messaging feature, and also integrates a QR-Code-based questionnaire, so that the SFSC and the crew can discuss and update individual cases. The mobile app is expected to be available to the crew members within two months.
FCF
Sustainable Sourcing
FCF is continuously working on improvements toward fishery sustainability through collaboration with its supply chain partners. Some of these projects include pursuing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, initiating Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), as well as other ventures aimed at fishery sustainability. These projects not only deliver effective environmental results, but also reflect our company’s effort to support UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), Life Below Water.
The current composition of our sustainable sourcing varies by gear type.
Some of sustainable initiatives that FCF has been engaged in are listed below:
01
FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (FIPs)
FIPs are multi-stakeholder efforts that aim to improve fishing practices and guide fisheries towards sustainability.
02
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
The MSC has established a sophisticated management system with technical support from scientific agencies to ensure the credibility of the MSC certifications. Since 2018, FCF has been sourcing from many MSC fisheries including the WPSTA Western and Central Pacific Skipjack and Yellowfin Purse Seine Fishery and the PNA Western and Central Pacific skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna purse seine fishery (FAD and non-FAD sets).
03
Friend of the Seas (FoS)
The FoS certification program helps consumers contribute to the health of our oceans by certifying that the fish products they purchase originated from fisheries that are managed in a responsible and sustainable method.
04
Proactive Vessel Register (PVR)
International Seafood Sustainability Foundation’s (ISSF) PVR provides fishing vessels the opportunity to publicly demonstrate how they are following best practices for sustainable tuna fisheries. Through data traceability and transparency, it aims to address IUU fishing and support compliance with RFMO regulations.
Purse Seine Vessels
For raw tuna materials sourced from purse seine vessels, 97% of FCF’s supply comes from either MSC certified, MSC in assessment, FIP and FoS in 2021. 100% of FCF’s purse seine tuna supply to ISSF Participating companies comes from PVR list.
MSC in assessment, FIP and FoS
MSC in assessment and FIP
Longline Vessels
In October of 2021, FCF launched another Atlantic Ocean FIP for longline vessels under the flags of Taiwan, Namibia, Panama, and Belize. As a result of FIP scope expansion, the percentage of FCF’s longline supplying vessels coming from either MSC certified, MSC in assessment, and/or FIP fisheries increased to 96%. Additionally, 35% of the entire FCF longline supply came from vessels listed on the PVR.
Outreach Initiatives Drive Continuous Improvement
-
Collaboration with NGO
Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST)
Transparency allows for our supply chain to be more closely monitored and greatly improves the traceability of our products. Through the first half of 2022, FCF carried out the GDST Rapid Initial Assessment (RIA) and Supply Chain Assessment (SAS). These assessments help determine the readiness of FCF and its supply chain to capture required Key Data Elements (KDEs) in order to transmit data in a GDST-compliant digital format, and ensure the state of traceability practices throughout the supply chain.
- Two FCF Subsidiaries Join the Global Tuna Alliance
In May, South Seas Tuna Corporation (SSTC) and Nambawan Seafoods PNG Ltd. (Nambawan), announced their official participation in The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA). The GTA is an independent group of retailers and tuna supply chain companies committed to achieving more transparent, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable tuna fisheries. FCF looks forward to this collaboration as it will gradually strengthen relationships along the supply chain, and help us develop sustainable fisheries.
- Stakeholder Meeting for Sustainable Fisheries
To drive positive changes across fisheries, FCF works with Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs). These projects bring together a range of stakeholders, including our suppliers, with the ultimate goal of improving fishery sustainability. In Q2 of this year, FCF held three stakeholder meetings related to longline fisheries. These meetings provided the attendees with information about FIPs, fishery certification systems, bycatch mitigation measures, and industry best practices.
- Engagement with our Supply Chain
As part of the FIP implementation process, FCF actively engages with its FIP participant companies to provide them with an important communication channel. In this engagement, we are able to discuss the progress of the improvement program, align on sustainability issues, and support any difficulties they face in order to facilitate transformation throughout the fishery.
Effective Teamwork
Internal Capacity Building
Audit Management Systems Training
Audit Management Systems Training
Vessel Service & Governance Team Capacity Training
People & Communities
Caring for Our Communities
South Seas Tuna Corporation (SSTC) was founded by FCF in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the year 2000. SSTC, a state-of-the-art tuna processing and loining facility, created 2,000 local jobs and helped grow the local economy. Earlier this year, SSTC also donated materials for the construction of alternative Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), which in turn, created economic opportunities for the Tarawa Island community. With the assistance of the National Fisheries Authority of PNG, the new FADs are expected to be deployed by the end of July this year. This will be the third FAD donation as part of the SSTC-initiated, East Sepik Islands Tuna Project.
Cultivating Talent
Additionally, FCF has recently joined the “BeAGiver” social responsibility program, an initiative by 104 Job Bank (104), one of the largest recruitment services in Taiwan. The program aims to establish a communication platform between job seekers and participating enterprises. Senior staff at these participating companies can share their experiences, skills, and professional knowledge with job seekers who might have questions about career development. By participating in this program, FCF supports these job seekers while simultaneously strengthening the competitiveness of talent in Taiwan.
Celebrate FCF’s 50th Anniversary
FCF Co., Ltd. turns 50 this year.
Over the past half century, an unwavering belief in the values of “Teamwork, Professionalism, Commitment, and Innovation,” has allowed FCF to evolve from a seafood trader into a vertically integrated global organization. Our continued success stems from the development of a collaborative business model for clients and partners throughout our supply chain. Collaboration at every level has enabled FCF to provide high-quality services to all of our customers.
As one of the world’s largest seafood companies, we understand the importance of sustainability. With an acknowledgment of our global reach, FCF is committed to developing our social resources, and protecting our natural resources for many years to come.
“With Leadership Comes Responsibility.”
FCF Co., Ltd.
FCF SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONES
2013 
Began Supplying FOS Certified Tuna
Began Supplying FOS Certified Tuna 2016 Initiated FCF Sustainability Program (FSP) with BV Recognition
2017 FCF Sustainability Program (FSP) Achieves Bureau Veritas Recognition
2018 Granted MSC Fishery and CoC Certificates for Purse Seine Fishery
2019 Ranked 11 out of 30 in WBA Seafood Stewardship Index
2020 Hosted Four Sustainability Workshops for Longline Fisheries
2021 Restructured Social Responsibility Program (SRP)
2021 Initiated "Worker's Voice Project", "Responsible Recruitment Project" and
Transitioned to 100% Third-Party Audits for Our "Social Evaluation Program"
2021 Launched Two MSC Longline Tuna Fishery Assessments
2022 Two FCF FIPs Improve from "C" Ranking to "A" Ranking
2021 Established the Vessel Service & Governance (VSG) Department
