3 July 2013
United States
Smaller processers and traders of tuna who will commit that their business complies with all International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) conservation measures are now being given the opportunity to join the International Seafood Sustainability Association (ISSA).
The ISSA hopes to expand participation in the ISSF and promote sustainable tuna stocks with the introduction of their new Associate Membership opportunity.
But how is the compliance of these processers and traders monitored and who is verifying the commitment of these companies to the ISSF standards?
A recent report issued by Marine Policy, assessing eco-labeling schemes for Pacific tuna fisheries points to the ISSF as an “initiative by the tuna industry towards self-certification.â€
The report says: “ISSF has produced a self-compliance checklist to ‘assist tuna purchasers…to assure that the tuna they source meets all applicable ISSF conservation measures.’ Although there is no form certification or audit scheme, by virtue of membership and a stated commitment to ISSF standards, companies can market seafood products while claiming to be environmentally responsible.â€
According to the ISSF, this new branch of membership will allow for smaller processors and traders who confirm commitment to supporting the initiatives of the ISSF the chance to support its conservation when full membership may not be feasible or desired. Associate members will be listed as a ‘company in compliance’ on the ISSF website.
While the report outlines that the “ISSA may suspend or expel members for failure to adhere to these standards,†but no indication is given that this compliance will continue to be monitored, meaning that the membership of these companies offers no verification that their commitments will remain exercised throughout their affiliation.
The report also states: “According to the WWF, the 21 tuna companies participating in ISSF represent more than 75 percent of the global canned tuna industry by volume,†meaning according to the Marine Policy report that self-certification is a method being vastly used.
