Basic Approach
The Maruha Nichiro Group has a history rooted in the sea and spanning over 140 years. Precious natural resources and the natural life force of the sea have supported our growth.
With the increase in the world's population and the economic development of emerging countries, the demand for fish consumption is expected to increase in the future. In order to meet demands and protect marine resources, we will continue to contribute to the creation of a sustainable global environment and society through our business activities.
KGIs and KPIs from FY2022 to FY2030
Materiality: Action for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem
Ideal state in 2030 (KGI): Confirm that there is no risk of resource depletion in the fish stocks we handle
| Achievement targets (KPI) | Target year | Target value | FY2023 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievements | Self-assessment | ||||||||||||||||
| Resource status confirmation rate of handled seafood products (Overall G) | 2030 | 100% | Resource status confirmation rate of handled marine products: 81.8% | ★★★☆☆ | |||||||||||||
| Conduct biodiversity risk assessment (Domestic G) | 2024 | - | Biodiversity risk assessment based on TNFD framework underway | ★★★☆☆ | |||||||||||||
| Implementation of certification level management for aquaculture farms (Domestic G) | 2024 | - | Management of aquaculture farms in the Group based on voluntary management standards for aquaculture farms underway | ★★★☆☆ | |||||||||||||
Note: The department in charge is Corporate Planning Department Sustainability Group, Maruha Nichiro Corporation.
Message from Representative
Yusuke Sato
Manager of Sustainability Group, and Manager of Sustainable Marine Resources Office, Corporate Planning Department
Preserving our biodiversity and ecosystems is the most important social and environmental issue for the Group, which has been supported by gifts of nature, especially marine products that are caught and cultivated around the world. In order to achieve our ideal state in 2030 of confirming that there is no risk of resource depletion in the fish stocks we handle, we have started to not only confirm the resource status of wild capture marine products through marine resources surveys but also implement certification-level management for aquaculture farms and conduct analyses based on the TNFD framework from FY2023 onward. We believe that the implementation of certification-level management for aquaculture farms will allow for aquaculture operations that take into account preservation of the environment and biodiversity, even for aquaculture farms for fish species without certification standards such as tuna. We also believe that analyzing our dependencies and impacts based on the TNFD framework will allow us to detect risks and opportunities that may otherwise elude us.
There is still a lot that the Group intends to do. We will continue to implement our current initiatives so that we can achieve our ideal state in 2030.
Main Initiatives in FY2023
Overview of the Second Marine Resources Survey
We launched a marine resources survey from 2019, and in FY 2021, we conducted the second marine resource survey targeting raw materials and products procured from outside our Group in FY2021. We will continue conducting this survey with the aim of realizing our ideal state in 2030, based on our belief that monitoring the state of marine resources handled in our business activities will help us recognize issues and make improvements to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems.
Survey Objective
- To gain an overall picture of the marine products handled by the Maruha Nichiro Group (fish species, area, quantity, etc.)
- Assessment of resource status and management of natural marine products handled
- Identification of issues and consideration of countermeasures to achieve KGI
Survey Method
| FY of implementation | First (FY2020) | Second (FY2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Target FY | FY2019 | FY2021*¹ |
| Survey scope | 48 Group companies (31 in domestic, 17 overseas) | 42 Group companies (25 in domestic, 17 overseas) |
| Analysis agency / Reference data | SFP*²/FishSource*³ | SFP/FishSource |
| Evaluation method | Our proprietary criteria | Criteria of ODP*⁴ methodologies |
| Evaluation criteria | (1) Healthy The five FishSource scores average 6 or higher, and score 4 is 6 or higher (2) Not healthy The five FishSource scores average less than 6, or score 4 is less than 6 (3) Date deficient If there are missing items for the five FishSource scores and evaluation cannot be performed | (1) Well managed The five FishSource scores are all 8 or higher (2) Managed The five FishSource scores are all 6 or higher (3) Needs improvement If there is a score less than 6 for the five FishSource scores (4) Not scored If there are missing items for the five FishSource scores and evaluation cannot be performed |
*1: April 2021-March 2022 for domestic and some overseas companies; January 2021-December 2021 for other overseas companies
*2: Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. The US NPO which manages FishSource.*3
*3: An international marine resources database developed based on marine resources information from the administrative agencies of various countries.
*4: Ocean Disclosure Project. An information disclosure platform aimed at enhancing the transparency of marine product procurement, managed by the SFP.
Survey Results
Marine Products Overall
In FY2021, the Group as a whole handled approximately 1.7 million tons of raw fish equivalent, and in terms of scientific name, handled 337 species of wild fish and 83 species of farmed fish. On the other hand, the amount of non-classifiable was approx. 120,000 tons, mainly from raw materials for feed, and while this is an improvement from 140,000 tons at the time of the previous survey, we recognize that it is still a major issue.
Wild Capture Marine Products
In order to evaluate the resource status and management status of wild capture marine, we conducted an analysis based on the SFP’s ODP methodology. As a result, we found that among wild capture marine handled by Maruha Nichiro Group, 44%, or about 600,000 tons, was evaluated as “Well managed,” and of this, most of this, were mainly Alaska pollock and other similar species caught by fishery businesses certified as sustainable by MSC or other agencies. In addition, 27%, or about 370,000 tons, was evaluated as “Managed.” In contrast, 15%, or about 200,000 tons was evaluated as “Needs improvement,” and 14%, or about 190,000 tons, was evaluated as “Not scored” due to insufficient data, and we recognize that these are issues requiring improvement.
Wild Capture Marine Products Categorized as “Needs Improvement”
Wild Capture Marine Products Categorized as “Not Scored”
The top five species accounted for 53% of the “Needs improvement” category. Regarding fish species classified as “Not scored” due to insufficient data, such as golden threadfin bream and largehead hairtail, we will work to accurately ascertain the situation by obtaining more detailed information on the catch area and fishing method of these handled marine products.
Endangered Species
As a result of this survey, we confirmed that some of the wild capture marine handled include fish species that fall under the category of endangered species (EN) as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (diagram below). We will continue handling fish species caught in accordance with fishery business management rules while monitoring the situation based on scientific knowledge, and discuss reviewing the handling of other fish species.
Handling of Endangered Species (As of June 2023*1)
| Red List evaluation | Species | Scientific name | Weight (t) | Country of procurement | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN*² (Endangered species) | Southern bluefin tuna | Thunnus maccoyii | 732 | Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan | Has resource recovery plan |
| EN (Endangered species) | Shortfin mako | Isurus oxyrinchus | 575 | China | Gradual considerations regarding handling based on viewpoint of effective use of by-products |
| EN (Endangered species) | Acadian redfish | Sebastes fasciatus | 71 | Norway, United States, Åland Islands, Japan | Consider a review of handling |
*1: Evaluation results from SFP and handling data is from FY2021
*2: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) category: Endangered (EN)
Realizing Our Ideal State in 2030
It is essential to make improvements on identified issues in order to realize our ideal state in 2030. We will promote a cycle of periodical surveys, issue identification, and improvement, with the aim of realizing our ideal state in 2030. From FY2023 to FY2024, Maruha Nichiro Corporation has been providing individual feedback on evaluation results to its business divisions and Group companies. We believe it is essential for each organization to recognize the challenges associated with the marine products they procure and to share these with our suppliers. We plan to conduct the third survey in FY2025. By regularly conducting surveys and continuously identifying and addressing challenges, we aim to achieve our ideal state for 2030.
Future Roadmap
Biodiversity Risk Assessment
Maruha Nichiro Group assessed the relationship between its business and nature based on the framework released in September 2023 by the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). For more information, please visit our TNFD page.
Implementation of Certification-Level Management for Aquaculture Farms
In order to put the materiality of “action for preserving biodiversity and ecosystems” into practice for the Group’s aquaculture business, we conducted a gap survey that uses the ASC yellowtail/cobia standards as its benchmark at the business sites of Maruha Nichiro Marine Kumano and Maruha Nichiro AQUA Sakurajima in FY2022. We formulated our proprietary voluntary management standards in FY2023 based on the survey results and conducted audits at four fishing grounds to ensure compliance with the standards and to identify issues. We plan to conduct audits at the remaining nine fishing grounds in FY2024 and complete audits of all the fishing grounds in our Aquaculture Business Unit. We will continue to make improvements based on the results of these audits in order to practice sustainable aquaculture with a reduced impact on the environment.
Enhancing Access to the North American Alaska Pollock Resources
To further enhance our ability to procure sustainable marine products, in January 2022, the Maruha Nichiro Group acquired an Alaska pollock processing facility and nine fishing vessels from Icicle Seafoods Inc. of the United States, further strengthening our access to pollock resources in North America's Bering Sea.
Rights to wild marine resources, such as fishing quotas, are limited worldwide, and new acquisitions can be quite difficult. Through the addition of this access share, we will be strengthening our access to Alaska pollock, a plentiful and sustainable fish species, in the large waters that is the Bering Sea. In addition to capturing approximately 27% of the whole general quota share (the quota share generally available to companies, excluding the quota given to natives) in the Bering Sea Alaska pollock quota, and assuming the time of the first marine resources survey as of 2019, this would equate to an increase in certified sustainable fisheries from approximately 820,000 tons to approximately 880,000 tons.
In addition, compared to other proteins, it has been reported that Alaska pollock is a climate-friendly protein. As a sustainable protein, global demand is strong from the standpoint of population growth and health consciousness, but it will be possible to cater more to general consumers in various forms such as fillets and surimi.
Use of Seafood Products Obtained through Sustainable Fishery/Aquaculture Certificates (MSC/ASC)
The Maruha Nichiro Group is actively promoting the handling of MSC- and ASC-certified marine products, and the volume of frozen foods and other commercial products for household use that bear the MSC ecolabel under our license, was approximately 1,700 tons in FY2023, a decrease from about 2,010 tons in FY2022. Additionally, there were no products with the ASC-label under our license in 2023 (period: January 1 to December 31).
On the other hand, in addition to commercial products, we also have diverse sales channels for products for insitutional-use (i.e. foodservice). In order to realize a sustainable fishery and aquaculture industry, it is crucial to provide MSC- and ASC-certified marine products to customers, particularly in the broader scope of foodservice products, beyond just commercial items. Alongside our proactive handling of MSC ecolabels and ASC-labeled commercial products, we are committed to promoting the handling of marine products produced through certified fisheries and aquaculture to our foodservice partners, raising awareness within the industry.
Trend in Volume of Frozen Foods for Commercial Use Bearing the MSC Label
(t)
Trend in Volume of Processed Foods for Commercial Use Bearing the ASC Label
(t)
Activities for Obtaining Sustainable Aquaculture Certification (ASC Certification) for Greater Amberjack and Yellowtail
Maruha Nichiro Corporation AQUA Kunezu fishery (formerly Amami Yougyo Inc.) became the first company in the world to receive ASC certification for greater amberjack aquaculture in July 2019 and full-scale shipments began in May 2020.
Maruha Nichiro Corporation AQUA Kamiura Fishing Grounds (formerly Aquafarm Co., Ltd.) obtained ASC certification for yellowtail aquaculture in April 2018, and full-scale shipments began in Febrary 2019.
We will continue to deliver to customers through an integrated value chain that encompasses catch, live transport, fillet processing at specified plants contracted by Maruha Nichiro, and sale through mass retailers.
Note: On Friday, April 1, 2022, the six Group Companies engaged in the aquaculture operations were merged into two companies, Maruha Nichiro AQUA Co., Ltd. and Maruha Nichiro Marine Co., Ltd. Maruha Nichiro AQUA (Head Office: Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture) integrated four companies in the Kyushu region, Sakurajima Yougyo Co., Ltd., Amami Yougyo Inc., Aquafarm Co., Ltd., and Genkai Co., Ltd. while Maruha Nichiro Marine Co., Ltd. (Head Office in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture) integrated two companies in the Kishu region, Kushimoto Marinefarm Co., Ltd. and Kumano Yougyo.
Other Initiatives
Case Study: Activities Related to Sustainable Aquaculture Operations (PDF: 490 KB/4 pages)
Case Study: Joint Research Aimed at Establishing Fish Cell Culture Technology (PDF: 267 KB/1 page)
