SeaBOS members have agreed to a range of measures to eliminate human rights abuses throughout their supply chains and to protect endangered species and the environment.
During the annual chief executive meeting, the organisation, which since 2016 has brought together seafood companies and scientists to better manage the oceans, committed to further combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and reducing the use of antibiotics, plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The science of SeaBOS and concept that led to its formation is now moving into the next phase as members implement and meet specific goals towards achieving their original commitments,” said Henrik Österblom, director of science at Stockholm Resilience Centre.
SeaBOS companies committed to assessing the risk of IUU fishing and labour abuse across their entire supply chains through the use of promoting good governance, electronic monitoring, developing more robust payment methods, changing recruitment practices and restricting areas of operations.
The CEOs also agreed to engage in new efforts to protect endangered species with an initial emphasis on sharks, rays and seabirds along with creating an Antibiotics Code of Conduct to reduce their use, and focusing on alternatives such as vaccines.
Members also agreed that by May 2022 they would have in place GHG emissions reduction goals aligned with the UN target of limiting global warming to below 2°C. They also committed to working with governments, emphasising the importance of collaboration between industry, science and policy in ensuring sustainability and ocean health.
