“Traceability contributes to good fisheries management by bringing transparency into the supply chain. METRO has developed an innovative traceability solution using modern technology, which has been successfully piloted for fish in Germany.
This solution is a robust and scalable traceability approach applicable for food and non-food products based on an internationally harmonised level. The innovative aspect of this new solution lies in connecting all participants of the supply chain in a cloud, where the traceability information is retrievable by the customer. The key to this information is embedded in a code (DataBar) on the product. As a result, transparency in the supply chain is achieved.
For many years METRO also has been lending its support to sustainability standards and certificates for fish, including the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). However, many small producers cannot afford certifications. As part of the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI), METRO is joining with partners from the industry, governments and non-government organisations in contributing to the harmonisation of the vast number of certifications for sustainable fish available worldwide. The purpose is to facilitate sustainable fish purchasing for consumers as well as to reduce certification efforts especially for smaller producers.”
‘I strongly support and agree with the Global Ocean Commission’s call to halt Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and the measures proposed to improve fisheries management. IUU undermines fish stock recovery and threatens food security and our own prosperity. We must work together to restore ocean health. I welcome the Commission’s appeal for international collaboration and a joint mission for ocean recovery. At METRO we are vigorously pursuing innovation and seafood traceability so that we can guarantee legal, healthy and sustainable fish for our customers, and so that we can bring transparency into the supply chain’.-Jürgen Matern
Setting IMO mandatory numbers for large fishing vessels, banning at-sea transshipment, ratifying and implementing international fisheries and labour treaties. Creating greater collaboration with industry and other stakeholders.
Illegal fishing severely undermines all existing conservation and management measures in place for fish stocks. It costs the global economy between US$10 and US$23.5 billion a year, and is largely carried out by vessels from a handful of countries that do not adhere to or comply with international regulations.
Poor countries, which do not have the capacity to monitor their waters and whose vital resources diminish because of illegal pillage, are the worst affected. Illegal fishing is also linked to other forms of criminality as fishing vessels can also be used for smuggling people, drugs and weapons. The illegality of the practice needs to be established, the likelihood of being caught and sanctioned needs to be increased, and illegally caught fish must be prevented from entering markets.
In order to combat and end illegal fishing, the Global Ocean Commission is calling for: