The Seafood Task Force has launched an initiative to improve labour standards and working conditions across the global tuna fleet.
The US-based not-for-profit said its Risk-based Assurance and Remediation Programme provided scalable solutions to tackle challenges facing companies and fishers in tuna supply chains.
It is designed around three core elements – capacity building, responsible recruitment and effective grievance mechanisms – and combines independent vessel assessments with practical remediation measures for fishing crews.
Its CEO Martin Thurley said it was an “important step towards strengthening social responsibility across the global tuna industry”.
Nine Seafood Task Force members, representing around 80% of the global tuna industry, have already committed $1.2m as part of the first tranche of payments this year. The initiative is also underway in 10 ports.
“Our Risk-based Assurance and Remediation Programme for the tuna industry is breaking new ground and is many years in the making,” said Thurley. “It’s designed to create scalable, worker-centred solutions that not only identify the scale of risk but help resolve them using STF hard data to deliver practical, collaborative remediation.”
The programme follows the launch of the pilot Workers’ Voice & Grievance Mechanism by the Seafood Task Force in December.
“We are extremely grateful to the members funding the first phase of this programme,” Thurley continued. “It will demonstrate proof of concept and provide the platform to scale further as more end buyers, brands and mid-chain buyers across global tuna supply chains decide to join us.”
No comments yet