The draft first step in improving the Asean region’s environmental, social and sustainability performance in terms of fisheries has been opened for public comment by the Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP).
A steering committee of 25 industry and non-government stakeholders designed the draft protocol as a first step for the fishing industry in the region. The protocol aims to align with internationally recognized fishery standards and national fishery management plans, and meet the growing demand by global buyers to purchase seafood from suppliers that can certify that their products are sourced from better managed, sustainable and responsible fisheries.
Current fishing levels are not sustainable and continue to damage the region’s oceans, so good fisheries management is needed to prevent further decline and rebuild marine ecosystems in the region, it is thought.
Without the use of sustainable practices, the depletion of fish will lead to serious negative consequences for both the environment and the future economic output of the countries in Southeast Asia, the project warned.
Its steering committee is made up for stakeholders throughout the value chain, including Charoen Pokphand Foods and Chicken of the Sea, Frabelle, the Vietnam Tuna Association, World Wildlife Fund and UK retailer Morrisons.
With the formation of an Asean Economic Community in 2015, the region will become one of the 10 largest global economies and a major player in the global seafood industry. The creation of a single market will present an opportunity for the industry and other interested stakeholders to work collaboratively across ASEAN to improve sustainability of fisheries and promote responsible fishing in a way that continues to support food security and safeguards the livelihoods of small-scale fisher folk in the region.
This public comment process is open to all individuals, organizations interested in providing inputs and feedback on the draft protocol, in line with international guidelines for creating environmental and social standards defined by the ISEAL Alliance.
The steering committee will use this feedback to revise the draft protocol that will be piloted with fisheries in several Asean countries. The steering committee plans to finalize the Fishery Improvement Project Protocol for ASEAN in the first half of 2015.