Ocean Disclosure Project joins forces with FishChoice for Seafood Transparency

Published 06/02/2019

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is pleased to announce a new collaboration between the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) and environmental nonprofit FishChoice.

FishChoice has welcomed the ODP as its newest Sustainable Seafood Affiliate. The new relationship, announced during the Target 75 Forum event in Miami, Florida, will take the form of collaborative data sharing and a new program that will enable eligible companies that participate in FishChoice’s supplier member program to become ODP Participants.

Since 2009, FishChoice has worked with more than 600 seafood suppliers to publicly share company information, including product sources and sustainable seafood ratings and certifications through an online platform that includes dedicated business profiles and product pages for each species sold, giving seafood buyers instant access to up-to-date product sustainability information.

Under the new collaborative effort, eligible seafood suppliers listing their full source list for wild-caught seafood through FishChoice’s supplier membership program will be recognized by the ODP, and their supplier page will be linked from the ODP homepage.

FishChoice supplier members North Atlantic Inc., Albion Farms & Fisheries, and Tradex Foods have already elected to produce full ODP disclosures, publishing their first ODP profiles in 2017 and 2018. Their FishChoice supplier pages can also be reached from their ODP profiles.

“We are very happy to be collaborating with FishChoice on the Ocean Disclosure Project, to help one another work with the seafood industry to deliver more sustainable seafood production,” said Tania Woodcock, ODP Project Manager. “Companies that report their full list of wild-caught seafood products into FishChoice’s supplier directory meet with the ODP’s requirements for transparency in seafood sourcing.”

Ocean Disclosure Project reveals expanded information format and new participant logo

Published 14/01/2019

Asks all retail partners to complete a public disclosure by end of 2019

The Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) is expanding its format to include seafood ratings from a variety of nongovernmental and governmental sources. From January 2019 onwards, the ODP will incorporate seafood sustainability ratings for wild fisheries from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, Ocean Wise, the Marine Conservation Society Good Fish Guide, and the NOAA Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI), as well as data based on Sustainable Fisheries Partnership’s FishSource scores that were used in past disclosures.

The ODP is also launching a new logo that participants can use to demonstrate their commitment to transparency in seafood sourcing. The logo can be used on corporate materials, in retail displays, and on packaging, but it is only available to companies that provide a disclosure profile via the ODP web platform.

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership is asking all retail partners to complete a public disclosure of seafood sourcing by the end of 2019. The disclosure does not have to be via the ODP web platform, but it must reveal the species and origin of all wild-caught seafood sold by the business.

Commenting on the recent developments, Blake Lee-Harwood, Strategy Director with Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, said:

“Companies that are committed to sustainable seafood should be prepared to publicly disclose the origins of the seafood they sell, and the Ocean Disclosure Project provides a free platform for publishing this information. The original ODP profiles already contained data on certification, but the new format includes NGO and NOAA rating systems, so it is possible to see how seafood sourcing shapes up to third-party sustainability assessments.”

Lee-Harwood continued:

“Sustainable Fisheries Partnership is asking all of its retail partners to make a public disclosure of seafood sourcing by the end of 2019, but not necessarily via the ODP. We hope that other NGOs with retail partners will follow this lead and indeed would like to see all retailers fully disclosing their seafood sourcing as quickly as possible. Full transparency in the seafood industry will be an incredible boost to efforts to make seafood more sustainable.”

Some of SFP’s retail partners, including UK retailers Asda, Co-op, and Morrisons, and North American retailers Giant Eagle, Meijer, Publix, and Walmart US, already demonstrate transparency in seafood sourcing by participating in the ODP. Throughout 2019, SFP will be engaging with its other retail partners to encourage them to disclose.

Established in 2015 by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) is a global platform for voluntary disclosure of seafood sourcing. The ODP is dedicated to increasing transparency in seafood supply chains by encouraging seafood-buying companies to publicly report on the seafood they source. The ODP provides a common template through which companies can report the fisheries they source from, alongside information on the provenance, stock status and management, and environmental impact (including impacts on protected, endangered, and threatened species, bycatch, and benthic impacts) of these fisheries. This information is used to create annual profiles reflecting the company’s sourcing from the previous year, which are then published on the ODP website. The site can be viewed at www.oceandisclosureproject.org.

In September 2017, the ODP launched as a new website, with nine leading companies demonstrating transparency around sustainable seafood sourcing. Since then, a further seven companies from the UK and North America have disclosed their seafood sourcing, including major retailers Walmart US, Giant Eagle, Lidl UK, and Meijer, and seafood suppliers North Atlantic Inc., Albion Farms & Fisheries, and Tradex.

Ocean Disclosure Project Website Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Published 05/09/2018

It has been one year since the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) launched as a new website, enabling users to access all seafood sourcing disclosures from one place. To celebrate our first anniversary as the leading online platform for seafood disclosure, we look back over the highlights of the year.

The website launched with profiles for nine leading companies demonstrating transparency around sustainable seafood sourcing. Since then, a further seven companies from the UK and North America have disclosed their seafood sourcing, including major retailers Walmart US, Giant Eagle, Lidl UK, and Meijer, and seafood suppliers North Atlantic Inc., Albion Farms & Fisheries, and Tradex. With the addition of these companies, we have increased the number of disclosures being shared by major retailers and  have expanded the geographic coverage of our ODP participants. North Atlantic Inc. became the first North American supplier to participate, and Albion Farms & Fisheries became the first Canadian company to participate. If you haven’t already, check out the blog post written by Guy Dean, of Albion Farms & Fisheries, on his experience of participating in the ODP.

This year, we have been working with our participating companies to update their ODP profiles, creating profiles for prospective participants (look out for more exciting announcements of new participants this year!), and getting out and about to share the work of the ODP.

We have already updated a number of profiles for 2018, and our participants have been working to add more information on commitments and traceability practices to their profiles to make it even easier for users to understand their approach to seafood sourcing. We were especially excited in June to share the new expanded profile for fish-feed manufacturer BioMar, which now covers all fisheries supplying both whole product and byproduct (trimmings) for the production of marine ingredients by BioMar Norway. And in August, Skretting Norway followed in their footsteps by disclosing their sources of both whole product and byproduct. More profiles are in the process of being updated and can be expected for release in the coming months.

We have also been busy communicating the work of the ODP. In February, the ODP launched on social media and our following is growing. To get the latest ODP news, you can now follow us on Twitter (@OceanDisclosure) and LinkedIn. We also featured in an April blog post by the Food Marketing Institute, which put the spotlight on transparency efforts by three of FMI’s US retail members: Publix, Walmart, and Giant Eagle.

Lastly, the ODP team have attended a number of important seafood events this year. In May, I was lucky enough to spend two days in sunny Elche, Spain, where I delivered a presentation on the ODP at SFP’s 5th European Fisheries Forum. The forum was well-attended by about 60 others, representing the Spanish and UK industry, NGOs, and other seafood stakeholders. And in June, I attended the SeaWeb Seafood Summit in Barcelona, where I presented on the ODP and other tools for managing ESG risks in seafood during a lightning-round session, alongside other great presenters from FishChoice, Seafood Watch, and more.

Hopefully, the next year will be just as exciting for the ODP and its participants.

Meijer joins Ocean Disclosure Project

Published 29/08/2018

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is pleased to announce that American retailer Meijer, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US, has joined the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP).

Meijer has disclosed its seafood sourcing through a public profile on the ODP website. The profile includes a list of all of the fisheries supplying wild-caught seafood sourced by Meijer, along with information on fishery management, catch method, and environmental impact.

“Meijer is committed to continuous improvement in customer satisfaction, product quality, sustainability, and impact on the environment for all of the seafood we purchase. We have made remarkable improvements over the past five years with help from SFP and look forward to continuing this great work,” said David Wier, Meijer’s Seafood Buyer.

SFP started the Ocean Disclosure Project in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 15 other companies, including retailers, suppliers, and aquaculture feed manufacturers from Europe and North America, have participated.

Other ODP participants include UK retailers Asda, Co-op Food, Lidl UK, and Morrisons, along with UK seafood supplier Joseph Robertson and French food-service company Davigel. Aquaculture feed manufacturers Biomar Norway, Cargill/EWOS, and Skretting Norway also disclose through the ODP. In North America, US retailers Publix Supermarkets, Walmart, and Giant Eagle, and seafood supplier North Atlantic, Inc. participate, alongside Canadian seafood suppliers Albion Farms & Fisheries and Tradex Foods, who joined the ODP in 2018.

“It’s great to see more and more companies from North America joining the ODP,” said Kathryn Novak, SFP’s Director of Buyer Engagement. “It demonstrates the value of the ODP as a tool for driving transparency in the seafood industry.”

Tradex joins Ocean Disclosure Project

Published 29/05/2018

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is pleased to announce that frozen seafood distributor Tradex Foods, based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has joined the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP).

The global seafood supplier has published a public profile, on the ODP website, which includes a list of all of the fisheries supplying wild-caught seafood sourced by Tradex, alongside information on fishery management, catch method, and environmental impact.

"We are very proud to be a part of the Ocean Disclosure Project,” said Robert Reierson, Tradex President and CEO. “Their system allows us to see a top level snapshot of where we can improve our raw materials sourcing to meet our sustainability goals."

SFP started the Ocean Disclosure Project in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 14 other companies, including retailers, suppliers, and aquaculture feed manufacturers from Europe and North America, have participated.

Other ODP participants include UK retailers Asda, Co-op Food, Lidl, and Morrisons, along with UK seafood supplier Joseph Robertson and French food service company Davigel. In the US, retailers Publix Supermarkets, Walmart, and Giant Eagle and seafood supplier North Atlantic are participants. Albion Farms & Fisheries is the first Canadian company to participate. Aquaculture feed manufacturers Biomar, Cargill/EWOS, and Skretting have joined the project as well.  

"We are pleased to have Tradex as a participant in the ODP,” said Kathryn Novak, Director of Buyer Engagement at SFP. “The publication of their ODP profile is an important step towards greater transparency in the seafood industry and in the frozen seafood market."

Lidl UK becomes first UK-based Discounter to join Ocean Disclosure Project

Published 02/05/2018

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is pleased to announce that Lidl, one of the UK’s fastest growing supermarkets, has joined the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP).

The supermarket has published a public profile, on the ODP website, which includes a list of all of the fisheries supplying wild-caught seafood sourced by Lidl UK, alongside information on fishery management, catch method, and environmental impact.

Amali Bunter, Responsible Sourcing Manager at Lidl UK, said: "At Lidl UK we are extremely proud of our commitment to sourcing 100 percent of our own brand chilled and frozen wild caught seafood from MSC-certified fisheries. This is why we are pleased to be joining and supporting the Ocean Disclosure Project, which reinforces our focus on the traceability and transparency of our seafood.

Over the years, we have been working very hard with our suppliers and the wider seafood sector to help shape a more sustainable fishing industry, and we were one of the first British supermarkets to independently certify our sustainable fish and seafood. More recently, we published our new sustainable seafood policy, which further underlines our commitments to responsible sourcing through our range of targets, including our support for Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs). We now look forward to making further progress with the wider sector in our collective aim to drive transparency and safeguard fish stocks for the future.”

SFP started the Ocean Disclosure Project in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 13 other companies, including retailers, suppliers, and aquaculture feed manufacturers from Europe and North America, have participated.

Other ODP participants include UK retailers Asda, Co-op Food, and Morrisons, along with UK seafood supplier Joseph Robertson and French food service company Davigel. In the US, retailers Publix Supermarkets, Walmart, and Giant Eagle and seafood supplier North Atlantic are participants. Albion Farms & Fisheries is the first Canadian company to participate. Aquaculture feed manufacturers Biomar, Cargill/EWOS, and Skretting have joined the project as well.  

“Lidl has experienced significant growth as a UK retailer and now represents an important share of UK seafood offerings; as such it is great to have their participation in the ODP,” said Tania Woodcock, Ocean Disclosure Project Manager at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. “We hope that this move will encourage other retailers across Europe to join the ODP.”

Joseph Robertson publishes 2018 disclosure profile

Published 23/03/2018

The Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) is pleased to announce that Scottish seafood supplier Joseph Robertson has agreed to participate for a third year in the ODP.

In 2016, Joseph Robertson became the first UK seafood supplier to voluntarily disclose its seafood sourcing information through the ODP. Since then, the supplier has published an ODP profile on an annual basis. The profile includes a list of the fisheries used within the company’s seafood department to source wild seafood, along with information on management, catch method, environmental impacts, certifications, and participation in fishery improvement projects.

Joseph Robertson is the first participant to update its sourcing profile in 2018. Other ODP participants expect to update their profiles over the course of 2018.

“We are delighted to see the positive impact that our seafood sourcing has had throughout the last three years. Working in collaboration with our suppliers and customers has been key to achieving the progress which we’ve reported through the ODP for the 2018 update,” said Alma Bonilla, Compliance Manager on the Technical Team at Joseph Robertson.

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) started the ODP in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 13 companies from North America and Europe have participated, ranging from retailers to suppliers and aquaculture feed manufacturers.

Other ODP participants include UK retailers Asda, Co-op Food, and Morrisons, along with French food service company Davigel, and aquaculture feed manufacturers Biomar, Cargill/EWOS, and Skretting. In North America, US retailers Publix Supermarkets, Walmart, and Giant Eagle, and seafood supplier North Atlantic Inc. are also participants, while Albion Farms & Fisheries became the first Canadian participant in 2018.

Giant Eagle joins ODP

Published 08/03/2018

The Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) is pleased to announce that regional, multi-format grocery retailer Giant Eagle has agreed to take part in the ODP.

In joining the project, Giant Eagle will publish a public profile, which includes a list of all of the fisheries used within the company’s seafood department to source wild seafood, along with information on management, catch method, and environmental impact.

“At Giant Eagle, sustainability is a company-wide, strategic initiative,” said Jannah Jablonowski, Giant Eagle Spokesperson. “Through our strong partnerships with organizations like the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, and participation in the Ocean Disclosure Project, we’re pleased to be able to share this valuable sourcing information with our seafood customers.” 

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) started the Ocean Disclosure Project in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 12 other companies from North America and Europe have participated, ranging from retailers to suppliers and aquaculture feed manufacturers.

Other ODP participants include UK retailers Asda, Co-op Food, and Morrisons, along with UK seafood supplier Joseph Robertson and French food service company Davigel. In the US, retailers Publix Supermarkets and Walmart and seafood supplier North Atlantic are participants. Canadian seafood supplier Albion Farms & Fisheries also joined the ODP in 2018. Aquaculture feed manufacturers Biomar, Cargill/EWOS, and Skretting have joined the project, as well. 

“Giant Eagle is demonstrating a clear commitment to transparency and sustainable seafood sourcing by joining the ODP,” said Kathryn Novak, Programs Division Director at SFP. “We’re thrilled to see Giant Eagle demonstrating its leadership in the retail industry by participating.”

Albion becomes first Canadian company to join ODP

Published 31/01/2018

The Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) is pleased to announce Canadian seafood supplier Albion Farms & Fisheries has agreed to take part in the ODP, becoming the first Canadian company to do so.  

In joining the project, Albion will publish a list of all of the fisheries used within the company’s seafood department to source wild seafood, along with information on management, catch method, and environmental impact.

  “As a company focused on transparency, integrity and sustainability, the ODP is a valuable tool to help us evaluate the seafood we procure,” said Guy Dean, Albion Farms and Fisheries VP/CSO. “In fact, through the ODP we were humbled to learn of multiple species and areas where we can improve our sourcing and look forward to the improvements we make in 2018.  We are honored to participate in this enlightening project.”

  “The ODP is a way for companies to not only demonstrate transparency in seafood sourcing, but also leadership among their peers. In addition, as one of the largest distributors in North America, it is impressive that Albion captures this level of detail on all of its wild seafood sourcing,” said Sam Grimley, from SFP’s Buyer Engagement team. “We see Albion’s joining of the project as leading the Canadian seafood industry, and look forward to other companies in Canada following Albion’s positive example.”

 SFP started The Ocean Disclosure Project in 2015 to provide a valuable information resource for responsible investors, seafood consumers, and others interested in sustainable seafood. To date, 11 other companies from the US and Europe have participated, ranging from retailers to suppliers and aquaculture feed manufacturers.

Other ODP participants include UK retailers Asda, Co-op Food, and Morrisons, along with UK seafood supplier Joseph Robertson and French food service company Davigel. In the US, retailers Walmart and Publix Supermarkets and seafood supplier North Atlantic are participants. Aquaculture feed manufacturers Biomar, Cargill/EWOS, and Skretting have joined the project, as well.

Ocean Disclosure Project expands to include corporate commitments

Published 13/12/2017

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) is pleased to announce that participating companies in the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP)have agreed to add new corporate policy information to their ODP profiles that will make it even easier for viewers to understand their commitment to sustainable seafood sourcing.

The companies will provide information covering whether they have a public seafood sourcing policy or commitment, and the scope of that policy or commitment, as well as information on any specific objectives or time-bound targets set by the company. They will also include reported progress toward those objectives. This information will gradually be incorporated into the 2017 profiles from December 2017 onwards and will be included in all 2018 profiles, with updated profiles anticipated for launch in April 2018.

Sharing corporate commitments information alongside the seafood source list provides greater context to the ODP profiles and creates a one-stop shop for users to better understand the seafood sourcing practices of companies. Other initiatives such as the Sustainable Seafood Coalition (SSC) and the Conservation Alliance for Sustainable Seafood’s Common Vision for Sustainable Seafood recommend companies make a public commitment or policy on sustainable seafood.

“Publishing sustainability commitments is a core element of a responsible seafood policy and we applaud companies that are providing this information,” said Blake Lee-Harwood, Strategy Director at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. “Placing details about sustainable seafood sourcing alongside commitments on the same website allows users of the ODP to see for themselves the progress being made by individual companies.”

SFP expects the format of the ODP profiles will continue to expand in 2018, with incorporating information on traceability measures identified as the next development.

The Ocean Disclosure Project provides a platform for participating companies to voluntarily disclose their seafood sourcing information for wild-caught species. Company profiles include information on fishery provenance, gear types used, environmental impacts, certifications and fishery improvement projects. To date, 11 companies have participated in the ODP, including major retailers, aquafeed manufacturers, and seafood suppliers. The most recent company to join the ODP was Walmart US, whose profile launched on 9 November.