Participation in Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS)
The SeaBOS (Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship) is a global initiative that was launched in 2016 together with the world's eight largest seafood companies (currently 9 companies), and scientists who research the ocean, fishing, and sustainability through cooperation and strategy and activities based on scientific evidence to ensure sustainable seafood products production and a healthy ocean environment. We are actively contributing to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, Goal 14 to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
Maruha Nichiro participated in SeaBOS from its inception, and in September 2018, upon the organization's establishment, Shigeru Ito, our company's President & CEO (at the time), was named its first Chairman and served as Chairman until October 2020.
The Primary Challenges and Mission for SeaBOS
Nine of the world's largest seafood companies are working to display leadership in order to achieve ocean sustainability
Vision: To accelerate transformation with regards to ocean management
How: In cooperation with governments and other sustainability bell-wethers, the industry actively engages in ocean management and bears global responsibility for the world's oceans
Mission: To lead the world towards achieving sustainable seafood production and a healthy ocean environment
Companies Participating in the SeaBOS
- Maruha Nichiro
- Nissui
- Thai Union Group
- Dongwon Industires
- Nutreco/Skretting
- Cargill Aqua Nutrition
- Cermaq
- Charoen Pokphand Foods
Participation in the 8th Keystone Dialogue
The 8th SeaBOS Conference was held in Busan, Korea in October 2023.
At this conference, we discussed the implementation of actions for change and their impact mechanisms, and launched the following two new keystone projects in conjunction with the Task Force.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Keystone Project
This project aims to develop a protocol for testing antimicrobial resistance genes in aquaculture, with the goal of improving antibiotic management in other countries and species in the future.
West Coast Africa Keystone Project
This is an important project to improve traceability and transparency in the fisheries supply chain to address the risks of IUU fishing and modern slavery in West African countries (Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal), one of the regions where SeaBOS participating companies are active. The project will be promoted in collaboration with scientists and organizations working in the region to reduce the risks.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Keystone Project – SeaBOS
West Coast Africa Keystone Project – SeaBOS
| SeaBOS activities | Relevant task forces |
Major agreements made in 2021 |
Major agreements made in 2022 |
Major agreements made in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities to eliminate IUU Fishing, forced or compulsory labor and child labor | Task Force I | The Company has confirmed that its operations are free from involvement in IUU fishing, forced or compulsory labor and child labor in their own operations. Continue to address these problems in our procurement supply chains, with reporting on progress in 2022 and 2025. | We will continue to check the supply chain as well for the 2025 progress report | Review existing time-bound goals and present new goals in October 2024. |
| Activities to address endangered species | Task Force I | Under the agreement on strategies to reduce impacts on endangered species, it was decided to move forward with efforts to prevent bycatch of endangered species from sharks, rays, and seabirds, and to expand the target fish species in the future. | Progress report on efforts to prevent bycatch of endangered species of sharks, rays, and seabirds will be provided in October 2023 | Review existing time-bound goals and present new goals in October 2024. |
| Activities to reduce the use of antibiotics | Task Force Ⅲ | Agree on a strategy for reducing the use of antibiotics. By October 2022, formulate a Code of Conduct (CoC) for the management of antimicrobial use. By October 2023, formulate a roadmap for the review of the use of the above critically important antimicrobials. | Review existing time-bound goals and present new goals in October 2024.. The Keystone Project (Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)) will be the main activity for the time being. | |
| Activities related to the problem of ocean plastics | Task Force Ⅳ | Continue to deepen recognition and understanding of the challenges and expand its clean-up activities on coastal and rivers. | Continue to promote coastal cleanup activities at SeaBOS member companies | Review existing time-bound goals and present new goals in October 2024. |
| Activities to combat climate change | Task Force Ⅴ | Set CO2 emission reduction targets and reporting methods for each company. Set CO2 emission reduction targets for each company by May 2022. | Progress report on CO2 emission reductions in October 2023 | Review existing time-bound targets and present new targets in October 2024; continue to promote coastal cleanup activities among SeaBOS member companies. |
The 6th Stockholm Working Meeting
The meeting was held in Stockholm, Sweden from April 17 to 19, 2024, to actively discuss the progress and challenges of each task force and keystone project in preparation for the 9th SeaBOS meeting in October.
Joint Coastal Cleanup 2024
As part of the Task Force V “Reducing plastic pollution,” a joint beach cleanup activity was held on July 27, 2024 (Saturday) at Makuhari-no-hama in Kaihin-Makuhari Park (Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture) as in the previous year.On the day of the event, a total of 167 participants, including company presidents, employees, and their families, took part and collected a total of 104.6 kg of waste, including combustible waste, cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles. We will continue to collaborate and address environmental issues such as marine plastic pollution.
SeaBOS Progress Report Released
In June 2022, SeaBOS released its first report.
Following that, in October 2023, we presented our initial report demonstrating joint actions for Ocean Stewardship, reaffirming our members' commitment to promoting transparency and sustainable practices in the fisheries sector. This report details the actions taken by companies from 2022 to 2023 and the progress made toward the challenges defined by SeaBOS's goals and commitments.
