Big 4 grocer Tesco has announced its collaboration with non-profit organisation, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) in a bid to protect ocean wildlife and improve industry seafood sustainability.
The partnership comes following an independent audit by SFP, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Whale and Dolphin conservation of the risks to ocean wildlife in the fisheries that supply seafood to Tesco, disclosed in its Ocean Disclosure Project.
Looking into its threats against bycatch, the audit found potential risks that tuna fisheries using longlines and purse seine gears utilising fish aggregating devices (FADs) pose a high risk to sharks, rays, seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals.
It also discovered that Alaskan salmon set/drift gillnet fisheries pose a significant risk to seabirds, as well as Icelandic cod gillnet fisheries and Canadian lobster pot and trap fisheries which are a high risk to marine mammals, with Argentine shrimp and Indonesian prawn fisheries most affecting sea turtles.
As a result of these discoveries, Tesco is set to prioritise these fisheries for action as it looks to roll out 100% observer coverage and bycatch mitigation measures across its supply chain.
It has also confirmed that it does not allow tuna caught using FADs and is a member of the Global Tuna Alliance, an independent group of retailers and supply chain companies working to ensure environmentally and socially responsible sourced tuna.
The leading retailer will also be working with its suppliers using gillnets as it looks to potentially remove this or introduce mitigation measures to fisheries where this is not possible.
“We’re pleased to partner with Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to protect ocean wildlife and drive progress across the retail industry on this critical issue in seafood sustainability,” Tesco head of environmental, Anna Turrell said.
“Reducing fisheries bycatch is a vital element of our ‘seascape’ or ecosystem-based approach to promote healthy fish stocks and mitigate the impacts of fishing on the wider marine environment.
“This report is an important step on that journey, and we’re already working with our suppliers to take action on the issues raised, including implementing 100 percent observer coverage on vessels in our supply chain.”
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership global markets deputy director, Ian Rolmanis added: “As a result of the audit, Tesco can prioritise areas for change and use it as an example to encourage other retailers to take similar action to protect ocean wildlife through their sourcing practices.
“Tesco’s ambition on marine conservation and specific focus on fisheries bycatch will make a big difference in ocean health and increasing industry adoption of sustainable practices.”
