Originally launched in 2020, the revamped 2024 version of the online tool expands its coverage of global seafood production and introduces improved features to assist retailers, producers, and supply chain stakeholders in aligning their practices with sustainability benchmarks.
The tool allows users to filter data by species, certification body, production method, and other criteria. A key feature of the update is an enhanced module for analysing human rights risks, which identifies regions with issues such as forced labour, lack of international agreement ratification, and documented human rights abuses. Users can interact with a map to pinpoint specific countries and access detailed reports, helping to highlight gaps in data and areas requiring policy intervention.
"This collaboration really was a mechanism to try and provide clarity that was absent. By pulling together, we could then present a much more comprehensive overview for individuals, companies, and policymakers who have an interest in seafood," said Chris Ninnes, ASC CEO, according to Seafood Source.
The Certification and Ratings Collaboration - comprising the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Marine Stewardship Council, Fair Trade USA, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch - continues to refine the tool to provide actionable insights. The initiative underscores the importance of accessible, reliable data in promoting sustainable seafood practices and improving transparency across the global supply chain.
"This profiling you get from the tool could help businesses make more proactive decisions about whether there is something they could do. The purpose is not just to highlight the production performance of the farms and fisheries; it is also to highlight the gaps so that we can direct interest in improving," Ninnes concluded.
