Basic Approach
Environmental pollution caused by marine plastic spills is an issue of global importance, and the Maruha Nichiro Group, which is deeply involved in the ocean, sees it as an equally important issue. We will promote our response to the marine plastic issue in cooperation with industry associations, related NGOs, and others to make our activities more effective.
Summary of Progress in FY2024
Results of the Previous Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2022–2024)
Materiality: Action for marine pollution by marine plastics
KGI (the figure which wants to have 2030): We practice zero discharge of plastics into the ocean along our supply chain, including from our own Company
Responsibility Department: Maruha Nichiro Sustainability Department (former Corporate Planning Department sustainability group)
| KPI | Target | Self-evaluation and problem of the prometaphase management plan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The aim year | Target value | Progress result comment | Self-evaluation | |
| Establishment of fishing gear management guidelines and operational rates (Overall G) | 2024 | 100% | Establishment and operation of group fishing gear management guidelines and use of fishing gear loss records | ★★★☆☆ |
| Employee participation rate in coastal cleanup (Domestic G) | 2030 | 30% or more | Employee participation in cleanups: 28.2% | ★★★★☆ |
★★★★★ : KPI for FY2030 achieved.
★★★★☆ : Progress toward achieving KPI for FY2030 in advance.
★★★☆☆ : KPI for FY2024 achieved or progress toward achieving KPI for FY2030 as planned.
★★☆☆☆ : KPI delayed.
Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2025–2027) KGI, KPI
Materiality: Action for marine pollution by marine plastics
KGI (the figure which wants to have 2030): We practice zero discharge of plastics into the ocean along our supply chain, including from our own Company
Responsibility Department: Maruha Nichiro Sustainability Department (former Corporate Planning Department sustainability group)
| KPI | Target | |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2030 | |
| Development and operational awareness of fishing gear management guidelines for suppliers | Establishment of guidelines for suppliers and awareness-raising on their operation | ー |
| Conduct cleanup activities with external stakeholders (Domestic G) | ー | 33 times or more/year |
Main Initiatives
Cleanup Activity “Make Sea Happy!”
The Maruha Nichiro Group conducts cleanup activities throughout Japan. In recent years, the problem of marine plastic has become a major environmental issue, and in order to make the activities more effective, we have been conducting cleanup activities under the new name of “Make Sea Happy!”. The number of employees participating in the “Make Sea Happy!” cleanup activities in fiscal 2024 was 1,697, and the participation rate of employees was 28.2%. Therefore, we will promote this activity by setting the number of cleanup activities with external stakeholders as a KPI in order to spread the activity outside the company.
Purpose of “Make Sea Happy!”
“Make Sea Happy!” is defined as a "cleanup activity to address the marine plastic problem," and its main feature is to keep a record of the types of litter picked up, instead of just throwing it away.Information on litter collected is submitted to NGO groups such as the Ocean Conservancy, and is used as litter survey data, along with data from cleanup activities being conducted around the world.Although the amount of trash that can be picked up each time is limited, the goal of “Make Sea Happy!” is to increase the number of participants and expand the circle of people who are interested in the problem of ocean plastic through the use of information on the trash submitted.
Trash Free Seas: Cleanup Reports-Ocean Conservancy
“Make Sea Happy!” Cleanup Activities at NSA (Nippon Surfing Association) Competitions
As part of efforts to expand the “Make Sea Happy!” cleanup activities outside the company, the “Make Sea Happy!” cleanup activities have been held at surfing championships hosted by the Nippon Surfing Association (NSA) since fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2024, cleanup activities were carried out for two days at the coasts where the All-Japan Classified Surfing Championships and the All-Japan Surfing Championships were held. A total of 285 people, mainly athletes and related parties, participated in the activities.
Toward Expanded Operation of Fishing Gear Management Guidelines
The Maruha Nichiro Group Fishing Gear (Fishery and Aquaculture) Management Guidelines have been established and are in operation, and fishing gear is managed using the Fishing Gear Loss Record Chart. In addition to ensuring that the guidelines are thoroughly disseminated throughout the Group, we are considering expanding the guidelines to the supply chain as the next step.
The Maruha Nichiro Group Fishing Gear (Fishery and Aquaculture) Management Guideline is based on the Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear / Aquaculture Gear issued by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative. The guidelines were prepared with reference to the Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear / Aquaculture Gear issued by Global Ghost Gear Initiative.
Click here for details about Global Ghost Gear Initiative
Report for Fishing Gear Lost (PDF: 192 KB/ 1 page)
Report for Aquaculture Gear Lost (PDF: 195 KB/ 1 page)
Other Initiatives
CASE Study: Strengthening of Buoy Strength for Use in Sea Aquaculture (PDF: 214 KB/1 page)
Biodegradable Bag
With the cooperation of Nichimo Foods Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo), we produced eco bags made of biodegradable plastic* as novelty goods.
The bags are made of earth-friendly materials (biodegradable plastic that decomposes in the natural world), and in the unlikely event that they are spilled into the ocean, they will be decomposed by microorganisms on the ocean floor and circulated back to the natural world. This new sustainable material will be used for floats and ropes in the fishing industry in the future.
* Biodegradable plastic: Plastic that is decomposed to the molecular level by the action of microorganisms in the natural world and eventually circulated back to the natural world as water and carbon dioxide.
