(Tokyo, Japan) November 2nd, 2023 – On Friday, October 20, Tokyo played host to an unprecedented assembly of industry leaders at the workshop titled- “The Market Perspective: Increasing Transparency in the Seafood Supply Chain.” hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts, Global Tuna Alliance and Seafood Legacy. FCF participated as a key speaker during the panel, “Recent Experiences with Electronic Monitoring.” to explore avenues for a more extensive utilization of this crucial technology.
Alongside FCF, this distinguished panel featured notable figures, including other representatives from Transparency and Sustainability Industries INC. and Luen Thai Fishing Venture. The event, a collaborative effort between multiple parties and stakeholders, provided a platform for in-depth exploration of electronic monitoring (EM) within the seafood supply chain.
FCF initiated the address by illuminating FCF’s distinctive role as a “facilitator” in the seafood supply chain. FCF’s pivotal role encompasses various facets, ranging from business, transshipment arrangement and logistics to engagement with regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and active involvement in sustainable projects. This unique position empowers FCF to holistically address the needs of both upstream and downstream stakeholders, establishing them as a paramount solution provider.
FCF further provided a comprehensive account of FCF’s pioneering journey into the realm of electronic monitoring, including trials in tuna purse seine fishery and longline fishery. These pioneering efforts laid the cornerstone for FCF’s enduring engagement to sustainability.
In the following years, FCF initiated Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) in longline fisheries, aimed at addressing potentials related to observer coverage and the accuracy of catch data. The integration of EM into the supply chain was a significant step towards enhancing fishery dependent data collection. This dedication to EM technology continues into 2023, with the deployment of EM on longliners operating on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in early 2023 and will continuously extend to affiliated fleets and vessels operating on the Pacific Ocean.
Throughout the speech, FCF acknowledged the challenges faced on this transformative journey, including cost considerations, technological intricacies, and the imperative need for alignment between project implementers and the fishing sector. While underscoring these difficulties, FCF emphasized the importance of elevating public awareness about EM and its potential to enhance the conservation management by facilitating scientific data collection through innovative initiatives and advancements in fisheries technology.
A common understanding and discussion highlight among the workshop participants was the ongoing need for unified standards in the development of EM within the industry. While fisheries management organizations have initiated dedicated working groups, development programs, and continuous dialogues with various stakeholders, progress in this regard still necessitates collective industry efforts to gain effective momentum.
The event’s participants collectively explored the practical applications of EM, the market’s role in fostering sustainability, the awareness and support across key players of the supply chain, and strategies for bolstering fisheries management authority. FCF, along with all speakers in this event, played a pivotal role in advancing the discourse on seafood supply chain transparency and sustainability.
