Preserve the resource

Recommendations following TUPA’s Manifesto:

• Prioritize a supply from non-overexploited stocks and, in the case of overexploited stocks, proceed to a volume reduction plan.
• The evolution of the stocks will be taken into account in the application of this commitment.
• We may consider sourcing from stocks that are currently overexploited, provided that a management plan following the recommendations of the RFMO Scientific Committees is put in place, or that the stock under consideration is engaged in a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP).
• Curb the use of the most impactful fishing methods by putting in place plans to reduce supplies from Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), by diversifying fishing techniques (pole and line fishing, free school fishing); and in the case of using FADs, by requiring that they are non-entangling.
• Supply from suppliers who themselves ensure that their supplies come from fleets implementing best practices, particularly in terms of traceability of fishing methods, fight against illegal fishing and bycatch, the presence of observers on board, and respect of working conditions.

Fight illegal fishing

In order to fight against illegal fishing, we will ensure that the boats we supply from:

• are not on an official RFMO blacklist;
• are registered with their RFMO with a unique IMO number when their dimensions allow for it;
• do not carry out transshipments, or, if they are authorized, they must be documented.

Respect workers' rights

Likewise, TUPA demands that the working conditions of the whole sector satisfy at minimum the fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization.

Transparency

Once every two years, TUPA conducts a mapping exercise of all TUPA members’ canned tuna supply chains, back to the fishing vessels. On top of bringing increased transparency and understanding of the value chains, it also aims at measuring progress on TUPA KPIs and monitoring of TUPA commitments.

The data collected is aggregated and anonymized by EF prior to conduct any group analysis. Each TUPA member is also getting an individual analysis for its own supply chains.

In 2022, following previous TUPA studies, part of the data collected will be about Pole & Line fisheries, FAD-free fisheries and Labour & Social practices.

Monitoring

This year, TUPA will work again with our partner OceanMind to conduct a multi-level analysis on a sample of fishing vessels supplying TUPA. Using satellites and artificial intelligence, the objective is to ensure supply chains are free of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fish. The process is first to verify the identity of vessels as compared to the declarative data collected during the mapping exercise, and then their activity at sea. For the latest, OceanMind will study their trajectories, thanks to the automated identification system (AIS) signals. These elements will ensure robust traceability and integrity of product claims related to tuna catch.

TUPA will also remain attentive to any new development in the area of monitoring slave labour at sea and will welcome any opportunity to trial or use any new tool.

Advocacy

As a coalition of companies representing the French and Belgian market, advocacy actions are key to ensure the market players asks are taken into consideration. We also believe common actions are more impactful than individual ones.

The TUPA will continue to participate in the NGOTunaForum. This coalition brings together more than 30 NGOs and other individuals and organizations that work comprehensively on global tuna sustainability issues. With the help of this network, the group identified the main asks for all the tuna RFMOs (Regional fisheries management organisations). The priority subjects are gathered around 2 pillars: management asks and transparency asks.

• Adoption and implementation of comprehensive precautionary harvest strategies for all tuna stocks
• Improvements on FAD management and transparency
• Adoption or improvements of Fins Naturally Attached (FNA) regulations (about shark fishing)
• Adoption of 100% observer coverage – human and/or electronic – in industrial tuna fisheries by 2024
• Development, adoption, and implementation of Electronic Monitoring minimum standards

As a representative of the French and Belgian market’s voice, the TUPA is part of the Market Activation Working Group.

Also, the TUPA aims at reinforcing its RFMO advocacy, through the participation in RFMO sessions, LDAC meetings, direct exchanges with relevant delegations, and communication on social media (Linkedin and Twitter). Last year, the TUPA conducted more than 15 advocacy actions, some in partnership with the Global Tuna Alliance, an independent group of UK retailers and supply-chain companies. Again in 2022, the market’s voice is to be heard to drive tuna sustainability!

Knowledge

This year, two topics will be studied either through internal webinar with external speakers or through synthetic study. As such, TUPA members will take a deeper dive into understanding harvest strategies for tuna fisheries and RFMO management; as well as looking further into albacore tuna.

The TUPA pays attention to report to its members important news and alerts. A newsletter is shared every month and the TUPA keeps discussing with stakeholders linked to the tuna sector.