review of industry, government and other action to improve...

Review of industry, Government and other action to improve the sustainability of fish and shellfish production and consumption

PART 2 – Current Actions

Poseidon Aquatic Resources Management Ltd A research report completed for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

July 2010

Published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

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PART 2 – Current Actions: Report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

July 2010

This research was commissioned and funded by Defra. The views expressed reflect the research findings and the authors‟ interpretation; they do not necessarily reflect Defra policy or opinions.

Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd

Main Office, Windrush, Warborne Lane, Portmore, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5RJ

Tel: 01590 610168

Fax: 01590 636585

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.consult-poseidon.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Approach to PART 2 ........................................................................................ 1

1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 1

2 Actions at Stage 1: Raw materials (the wild resource) ................................. 2

2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 2

2.2 Review of actions .................................................................................................................... 2

2.2.1 Summary ......................................................................................................... 5

3 Stage 2: Production systems (fishing and aquaculture) .............................. 7

3.1 Capture fisheries ..................................................................................................................... 7

3.1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 7

3.1.2 Review of actions ............................................................................................. 7

3.1.3 Summary ......................................................................................................... 9

3.2 Aquaculture ........................................................................................................................... 10

3.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 10

3.2.2 Review of actions ........................................................................................... 10

3.2.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 11

4 Stages 3 onwards: Post Harvest ................................................................... 13

4.1 Stage 3: Processing .............................................................................................................. 13

4.1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 13


4.1.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 13

4.2 Stage 4: Storage ................................................................................................................... 14

4.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 14


4.2.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 14

4.3 Stage 5: Point of Sale ........................................................................................................... 15

4.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 15


4.3.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 16

4.4 Stage 6: Consumption ........................................................................................................... 16

4.4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 16


4.4.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 17

4.5 All stages: Packaging ............................................................................................................ 18

4.5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 18


4.5.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 18

4.6 All stages: Transport ............................................................................................................. 18

4.6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 18


4.6.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 19

4.7 All stages: Waste .................................................................................................................. 19

4.7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 19


4.7.3 Summary ....................................................................................................... 19

Appendices Appendix A: Phase 2 Questionnaire .................................................................................... 21 Appendix B: Supporting Tables ........................................................................................... 24 List of tables Table 1: List of stakeholders interviewed............................................................................... 1 Table 2: Key management actions for top food, forage and emerging species from capture fisheries consumed in the UK ................................................................................................ 1 Table 3: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - Wild resource .. 6 Table 4: Key capture fisheries management actions for top species consumed in UK .......... 8 Table 5: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts- Capture fisheries ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Table 6: Key aquaculture management actions for top species consumed in UK by growing method ................................................................................................................................ 10 Table 7: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - Aquaculture ... 12 Table 8: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - Processing .... 14 Table 9: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - storage .......... 15 Table 10: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts ....................... 16 Table 11: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - consumption 17 Table 12: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - packaging ... 18 Table 13: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - transport ...... 19 Table 14: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts ....................... 20 Table 15: Actions undertaken in relation to the wild resource ............................................. 24 Table 16: Actions undertaken in relation to capture fisheries............................................... 28 Table 17: Actions undertaken in relation to aquaculture production..................................... 30 Table 18: Actions undertaken in processing life cycle stage ................................................ 31 Table 19: Actions undertaken in storage life cycle stage ..................................................... 32 Table 20: Actions undertaken at point of sale life cycle stage.............................................. 32 Table 21: Actions undertaken at consumer life cycle stage ................................................. 34 Table 22: Actions undertaken for packaging at all life cycle stages ..................................... 36 Table 23: Actions undertaken for transport at all life cycle stages ....................................... 36 Table 24: Actions undertaken for waste at all life cycle stages ............................................ 36

Acronyms

ASC Aquaculture Stewardship Council

Blim Spawning stock biomass at the limit reference point

Bpa Spawning stock biomass in relation to the precautionary approach

BRC British Retail Consortium

BRD Bycatch Reduction Device

CSR Corporate Social Responsibility

Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

EA Environment Agency

EC European Commission

EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

ETP Endangered, Threatened and Protected

EU European Union

F Fishing mortality

FAD Fish Aggregating Device

FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation (of the United Nations)

Fpa Fishing mortality in relation to the precautionary approach

FSA Food Standards Agency

GPS Global Positioning System

HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points

ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Seas

IFFO International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation

IOTC Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

ITQ Individual Transferable Quota

LC PUFAs Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

LCA Life Cycle Analysis (or Assessment)

LRP Limit Reference Point

LTMP Long Term Management Plan (for fish stocks)

MCS Marine Conservation Society

MCZ Marine Conservation Zone

MFA Marine and Fisheries Agency

MPA Marine Protected Area

MSC Marine Stewardship Council

MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield

OSPAR The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the „OSPAR Convention')

POP Persistent Organic Pollutant

RAC Regional Advisory Council

RFMO Regional Fisheries Management Organisation

RFS Responsible Fishing Scheme

SALSA Safe and Local Supplier Approval

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment

SMP Square Mesh Panel

SSB Spawning Stock Biomass

TED Turtle Exclusion Device

TRP Target (or precautionary) Reference Point

UKAS UK Accreditation Service

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1 Approach to PART 2

1.1 Introduction

As part of the Defra project to deliver sustainable consumption and production of seafood in the UK by developing a Product Roadmap for fish and shellfish, Poseidon has undertaken a three part study as follows:

Part 1: Evidence based review to determine the main issues and impacts of fish and shellfish produced and consumed within the UK

Part 2: Extensive stakeholder consultation to collate actions being taken to minimise impacts of seafood production and consumption

Part 3: Gap analysis to determine whether the impacts and issues identified in Part 1 are being adequately addressed by actions identified in Part 2.

This report forms the output of Part 2 of the study and is presented as an Annex to the main report. This report presents a summary of the actions, by life cycle stages, that are currently being taken by industry, government and NGOs.

1.2 Methodology

Table 1.1 presents the number of interviews associated with each stakeholder group and the name of the company or organisation interviewed. Appendix A presents the questionnaire used to consult these 50 stakeholders using face to face meetings and telephone interviews.

Table 1: List of stakeholders interviewed

Group # Interviews Interviewees

Government departments

5 Defra, DFID, Marine Scotland, Office of Government Commerce, Marine Management Organisation

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

6 Seafish, Food Standards Agency, SNH, JNCC, Natural England, Crown Estate

Non-Government Organisations

6 Marine Stewardship Council, WWF, Marine Conservation Society, Sustain, Seaweb, RSPB

Business & Food sector associations

2 Food and Drink Federation, British Frozen Food Federation,

Aquaculture Production

5 Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, Shellfish Association of GB, British Trout Association, Scottish Sea Farms, Skretting,

Capture fisheries production

6 NFFO, SFF, Danish Fisheries PO, Seafood Cornwall, Seafood Scotland, MSC certified fleet

Merchants & Wholesalers

2 London Merchants Association, Grimsby Fish Merchants Association

Processors, Food Producers, Distribution

12 Findus Group (Youngs, Findus, The Seafood Group) Icelandic Group, Seachill, M&J Seafoods, Brakes, Falfish, Fastnet Fish, Five Star Fish, Nortrade, Big Prawn Company, Direct Seafood, Espersen, New England Seafoods International.

Retailers 5 M&S, Waitrose, Asda, Sainsbury‟s, Pisces Responsible Fish Restaurants

Catering (public) 1 Compass Group

Total 50

During the course of the study in 2010, the project team took the opportunity at a number of industry events (e.g. the Brussels Seafood Show, the Glasgow Fishing Show, the Paris Seafood Summit and the Fishmongers Inshore Sustainability Seminar) to explore sustainability issues more broadly with other stakeholders in the UK seafood industry.

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2 Actions at Stage 1: Raw materials (the wild resource)

2.1 Introduction

The first stage in the life cycle is the wild resource e.g. fish and shellfish stocks caught in UK, third country and international waters. This section examines the actions being undertaken to manage and conserve fish stocks in their natural environment. Stage 2 of the life cycle examines actions to manage the capture of this wild resource and aquaculture production (see Section 3).

Wild fish and shellfish are essentially a public resource and therefore stock management has traditionally been entrusted to governmental or inter-governmental bodies (for highly migratory species), supported by advice from the scientific community. There has recently been an increased emphasis on the allocation of rights to use this resource to certain individuals or groups, which also transfers some of the responsibility for environmental stewardship to the owner of these rights. Therefore actions can be taken at individual, community or spatial levels.

The main impacts identified during Part 1 of this project are predominately linked with poor stock status due to over-fishing. Numerous measures are in place to specifically manage the impact of fishing on the wild resource and to improve knowledge on stock status of species. These management measures are considered to be within the environmental pillar of sustainability and can be grouped under the following headings:

Input controls

Output controls

Ecosystem management

Spatial management

Scientific research (to inform the above)

Socio-economic impacts were not identified at this life cycle stage however health impacts relating to toxins within the fish themselves are covered under the following:

Health: Reducing land-based pollution and dumping at sea

Note that screening of seafood products for contamination is covered under the processing stage of the product life cycle where strict protocols are in place to ensure food safety.

Table 15 in Appendix B on page 21 provides an overview of actions being taken to address the impacts identified at national and international levels for all species.

2.2 Review of actions

Management of those fisheries resources destined for the UK consumer come from a wide array of capture fisheries around the world (see PART 1 report for further details). Focus for this section is therefore on (i) the top six species types consumed (e.g. tuna, salmon, cod, haddock, mackerel and shrimp), (ii) the main industrial species used for producing fish meal (for fish and animal feeds) and (iii) emerging species such as Alaskan pollock and Nile perch. The current management actions for these particular species are summarised in Table 2.

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Table 2: Key management actions for top food, forage and emerging species from capture fisheries consumed in the UK

Species

Key management actions

Key outstanding issues Input controls Output controls

Spatial management

Third-party certification

Other

Key fo

od s

pecie

s

Atlantic cod

Days at sea

Vessel decommissioning to reduce overall capacity

EU: TACs; Iceland: ITQs to increase SSB to 220,000 t by 2015.

„Cod boxes‟ to protect spawning stocks

Natura 2000

Some Norwegian cod fisheries MSC certified

Conservation credit schemes to reduce cod mortality

Discarding of cod in mixed North Sea groundfish fisheries due to low quotas

Lack of discard data

Haddock Days at sea

Vessel decommissioning to reduce overall capacity

TACs (EU); ITQs (Iceland)

Rockall Haddock box

Scottish North Sea fishery under MSC assessment; Some Norwegian haddock fisheries MSC certified

By-catch of whiting and cod

Mackerel None of note TAC, based on SSB TRP

Protection of the North Sea spawning component

SW no trawl zone

Both line-caught and trawl-caught UK mackerel now MSC certified

Lack of international agreement on exploitation rates

Tuna None of note. Planned by IOTC for 2012

Mostly based on MSY targets

Maldives – current ban on long lining & purse seining in EEZ; Kiribati MPA

Some pole & line & long line fisheries completed / under MSC assessment

Juvenile catches on FADs; bycatch in some fisheries; weak control of RFMOs on limiting capacity & effort; MSY targets not enforced

Pacific salmon

Fisheries opened and closed at local managers discretion

Escapement goals used as limit reference points.

Gillnetting is prohibited within waters of Glacier National Park

MSC certified (Alaska / British Colombia)

Management specific to each fishery unit & river system / population.

Possible uncertainties regarding escapement monitoring and potential hatchery impacts to SE Alaska wild chum salmon.

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Species


Key outstanding issues Input controls Output controls

Spatial management

Third-party certification

Other

Cold-water shrimp

None of note (except effort controls in Argentina)

TAC controls (joint ICES / NAFO).

Danish Pandalus fishery under MSC assessment

Mandatory use of grids & sieves in many fisheries

Nephrops require management at Functional Unit level

Poor recording of discards

Feed f

ish

Peruvian anchovy

Fixed season, capacity limits; days at sea limits

TAC quotas Fishing within five miles of the coast line is prohibited

Voluntary code of conduct for „responsible fishing‟

High juvenile catches trigger fishery closures

Trophic impacts of high biomass removal

Reduction in IUU catches

Chile jack mackerel

Area closures TAC-based quarterly quotas and vessel owner ITQs for each fishery region

Limited access to Artisanal Reserve Zone

Bycatch allowance distributed through fleet

Development of appropriate precautionary reference points

Capelin (Iceland)

Mixture of real time, temporary and permanent closures

Maintenance of a minimum SSB of 400,000 t (or fishery is closed)

High juvenile catches trigger fishery closures

Em

erg

ing c

aptu

re f

isheri

es

Alaskan pollock (Gulf of Alaska)

TAC set over 4 seasons

Year-round trawl closures and MPA network (species / habitat protection)

MSC certified Strong catch verification Closed areas protect feeding grounds of endangered Steller sea lions and other habitat.

High predation mortality

Lack of information on key marine habitats

Nile perch (Lake Victoria)

Capacity limit „Regional Plan of Action) to 2006 levels

Minimum size limits („slot sizes‟

Some closed areas in Tanzania

Currently ineligible (for MSC) as is an introduced species

Management at local level (Beach Management Unit)

High levels of IUU

Development of management reference points

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The main actions being taken for these species and those produced in the UK are discussed below under the relevant impact headings. A more detailed list of actions is presented in Appendix B Table 15.

Environmental: over-fishing – generic strategy or policy in place to manage a suit of measures including:

EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has four main sections dealing with resource management, markets, structural policy and external aspects. The CFP has a ten year reform cycle with extensive consultation underway for the 2012 reform. The CFP is the overarching policy framework managing European fish and shellfish, including in UK waters.

Fisheries agreements: the EC external fleet gains access to third country waters (e.g. for purse seine and long line tuna fisheries, supplying much of the canned fish destined for the UK) via fisheries partnership agreements, stipulating vessel numbers, types and provides reference tonnages. Although aimed at „surplus stocks‟, these have been criticised for impacting on coastal catches and livelihoods.

Regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs): set up to develop consensus for highly migratory shared stocks such as tuna. Political and national interests can limit effectiveness and delay progress and action e.g. Indian Ocean yellow fin and skipjack tuna – although quota or other appropriate conservation measures are proposed for 2012.

Principle 1 of the MSC sustainable fisheries standard assesses the stock status of the target fishery. For key species consumed within the UK, Alaskan Pacific salmon and pollock, UK mackerel and Norwegian cod and haddock are MSC certified; while others are in assessment such as North Sea haddock, Icelandic cod and haddock and pole and line caught tuna. Certification is increasingly being sought by processors and retailers, as well as fish meal companies.

Environment: Over-fishing – input controls restrict the level of fishing effort permitted on a stock by controlling the time, place, type and / or amount of fishing, including:

Restrictive licensing & effort: all UK commercial fishing vessels require an appropriate licence. Additional restrictions are placed on some such as days at sea for cod, haddock and anchovy, seasonal and or area closures which are fixed for some fisheries such as anchovy, capelin and jack mackerel and discretional/reactive for others including Pacific salmon.

Vessel decommissioning and removal of latent capacity: various EC and UK funded decommission rounds, removing excess capacity through vessel retirement, particularly evident in whitefish fleet (cod and haddock). There is also capacity removal through other schemes such as Scottish Licence Parking Scheme, Australian buy-back scheme and removal of unused licences (USA) and infringed licences (Indonesia).

Input control measures are relatively easy to establish and monitor and can be selective (method / time / space) and thus reduce effort on critical species / habitats. However, they can fail to address the common property issues, incentives for share maximization and increased capitalization and restricted input (days at sea) can make some fisheries economically unviable. Furthermore decommissioning can be an expensive option with a variable impact of capacity.

Environment: Over-fishing – output controls are direct limits on the amount of fish taken from a fishery:

TACs and Quotas: set for many fisheries around the world at national and international levels to limit volume of fish landed (not specifically volume removed from the sea). Relevant for most top species consumed in UK including cod, haddock, mackerel, cold water shrimp, pollock and fish meal species; also relevant for most fish produced in UK, but not for many shellfish fisheries due partly to lack of data on these stocks. TACs and quotas are set

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per stock area i.e. ICES Divisions with some moving towards management of functional units e.g. Nephrops.

Maximum sustainable yield (MSY1): can be used to inform TAC levels or used as a separate management tool/target for fisheries such as tuna. The 2002 Johannesburg world summit on sustainable development (WSSD) resulted in an international (including the EU) commitment to manage fisheries to MSY by 2015. Achieving MSY is also a requirement for MSC certified fisheries.

Rights-based management: gives rights to the fishermen to manage their own resource on an area and/or species basis. This can include a range of measures (quota, spatial management) but ultimately provides incentive for fishermen to maximise economic benefit and therefore greater stewardship over the resource, leading to longer term sustainability.

Output controls such as quotas and in particular individually tradable quotas can constrain effort, fleet rationalization and improve quality and flow of raw material to processing facilities. However quotas can be affected by political and other agendas and limited volumes can lead to high-grading and discarding which are difficult to enforce. Furthermore MSY-based targets used to inform setting of quotas may under-estimate the need to reduce fishing mortality if ecosystem considerations such as multi-species interactions are not taken into consideration.

Environment: Ecosystem-based management extends to the wider environmental impacts of removing target species including predator prey relationships as well as the structure and function of critical habitats. It is an approach to management that is being implemented through international agreements including the FAO‟s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), the 2001 Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem and the 2002 Johannesburg WSSD (see Table 15, Appendix B for full list). At a wider level there are a number of approaches to tackling climate change and its many effects (see Table 15 in Appendix B for UK details).

MSC, other certification standards and Fishery Improvement Partnerships (FIPs) also consider the wider ecosystem in assessing the sustainability of fisheries (see Section 3 - Stage 2: Production methods).

The ecosystem approach links in the wider variables affecting the relationship between fisheries and the marine environment, but in doing so requires a much greater understanding of the marine ecosystem and its relation to the target fishery.

Environment: Spatial management. Throughout global fisheries there are various closures relating to specific gear and/or engine size and vessel length and seasonal closures.

Within the North Sea a Real Time Closure system is in place to protect juvenile cod, haddock, whiting and saithe. Throughout Europe Marine Protected Areas and Natura sites, under Birds and Habitats Directives, are designated to protect specific habitat and species features - these are predominately coastal, although a further phase of site selection is underway for marine sites beyond coastal waters.

At a UK level, under the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, the government is developing a comprehensive system of marine spatial planning that has both long term goals and regional management for all sea users and all marine resources with clear requirements for public participation. The Bill includes designation of Marine Nature Reserves and the forthcoming Marine Conservation Zones and will build upon existing coastal zone management.

1 The highest theoretical equilibrium yield that can be continuously taken (on average) from a stock under

existing (average) environmental conditions without affecting significantly the reproduction process (FAO)

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Elsewhere larger fisheries protection zones limit the scale and type of fishing across a large area e.g. the 362,000 km² Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the US and the 408,000 km² Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati.

Spatial management is a useful tool that can resolve resource-user issues at a local level and allow identification of stakeholder priorities, issues and options. At larger scales, however, it can be difficult to manage and enforce.

Environment: Provision of data. Science-based management depends upon the timely availability of robust and relevant information. In Northern European waters, ICES - through its 20 Member States - is a key compiler of information and provides a forum for recommending extraction limits from pressure fisheries. At a UK level, CEFAS and the Aberdeen laboratory of Marine Scotland conduct specific research with support from organisations such as Seafish, although the future of the latter is currently uncertain. At industry level, 'Industry Science Partnerships' have proved important in identifying and addressing priority applied research needs. Outside the UK, organisations such as the MSC have developed new approaches to assess the nature of 'data deficient' fisheries utilising new risk-based approaches. The lack of fisheries science capacity is a weakness for many developing countries and limits the effectiveness of RFMOs.

Environment: Industry sourcing criteria. The development of sourcing criteria and policy statements for fish and shellfish species by large processors and retailers which can influence fisheries management and species consumed in the UK. Including (for example) commitment to sourcing MSC or equivalent products and diversifying into new species. Leading UK retailers such as Marks and Spencer and Asda have pledged to only source seafood from MSC (or equivalent) certified fisheries by 2012 and therefore there is increasing pressure for fisheries supplying the UK market to obtain MSC certification to secure market access. WWF is funding a series of „Fisheries Improvement Partnerships‟ (FIPs2), which are based around the MSC Principles and Criteria and are strongly supported by a number of large UK retailers and importers.

Health: Reducing land-based pollution and dumping at sea. The current key concerns relate to the dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as the brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and methyl-mercury that tend to accumulate in oily fish, as well as heavy metals that accumulate in top predators such as tuna. Whilst the health risks from many toxins in seafood are low, they are of potential concern for two groups: populations for whom seafood form a major part of the diet and infants and young children who consume substantial quantities of oily fish.

Actions to reduce the risk of consumption of toxic substances in seafood takes place at two main levels, (i) product screening and testing over the supply chain via strict EU legislation (see Section 0) and (ii) actions to reduce the level of pollution, especially from land-based sources (see Table 15, Appendix B).

2.2.1 Summary

There is an extensive „tool box‟ of possible measures to manage the wild resource. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, resulting in a complex combination of actions being taken.

The implementation, enforcement and effectiveness of these measures depend on adequate data collection and monitoring. Scientific advice is provided for many species (ICES, CEFAS, Marine Scotland: Science) but obvious gaps remain particularly for shellfisheries

2 A Fishery Improvement Partnership is an alliance of buyers, suppliers and producers that work together to

improve a fishery by pressing for better policies and management while voluntarily changing purchasing and fishing practices to reduce problems such as illegal fishing, bycatch and habitat impacts (SFP, 2010)

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and non quota species. Industry science partnerships strive to address research needs, but this is on an ad hoc basis with no strategy in place.

Consultation indicates that industry sourcing criteria and associated buying power can have significant influence over fisheries management. However smaller companies do not have the necessary resources to develop and implement such criteria and inconsistent advertising around „sustainability‟ acts to confuse consumers.

Based on the above information and that presented in Appendix B, an initial assessment to determine whether issues identified in Part 1 are being adequately addressed by actions identified in Part 2 is presented in Table 3Error! Reference source not found..

Table 3: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - Wild resource

Impact Are actions addressing impacts?

En

vir

on

men

tal

Over-fishing – input controls

A selective and easily monitored approach but can be expensive (decommissioning), reduce the economic viability of some fisheries (e.g. through restrictive days at sea) and can fail to address the common property issues, incentives for share maximization and increased capitalization

Over-fishing – output controls

Clear, tried and tested approach, but is politically sensitive, encourages discarding & the MSY approach has weaknesses in setting fishing mortality limits.

Ecosystem management

A valid goal for all fisheries management, but its effective implementation is constrained by a lack of knowledge of wider 'cause and effect' linkages

Spatial management

A straight-forward approach to protect vulnerable stocks and habitats. Despite some isolated failures (mainly due to a lack of understanding of the complex dynamics involved), a network of MCZ's (see above) will add to OSPAR / Natura 2000 protected areas to provide a powerful conservation and management approach.

Provision of data

There is still a lack of information on :

(i) non-quota species stock status

(ii) exact volumes and details of key seafood commodity flows e.g. capture vs. farmed shrimp and tuna. On the latter, the new EU IUU traceability regulations should help to address this concern.

Industry sourcing criteria

Much effort has been made towards responsible sourcing, esp. by the multiple-retailers, but gaps remain. Once concern is over the wide interpretation of 'sustainable' sourcing and the lack of consumer awareness and understanding of the issues involved.

Healt

h Reducing land-

based pollution and dumping at sea

Strong inter-governmental efforts to improve coastal water quality via the WFD, IPPC and various OSPAR initiatives. However outside of Europe marine dumping is less well controlled.

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3 Stage 2: Production systems (fishing and aquaculture)

In contrast to the top-level actions taken to protect both stocks and the wider ecosystem examined in the previous section, the actions to improve sustainability adopted at the production stage are mainly undertaken directly by the practitioners e.g. fishers and fish farmers.

3.1 Capture fisheries

3.1.1 Introduction

The main impacts identified in Part 1 for capture fisheries are linked to the environmental impacts of the gear deployed during fishing and this is specific to the type of operation e.g. trawling may impact habitats while static nets are of more concern for endangered, threatened and protected species interactions. There are also overarching socio-economic issues linked with direct employment, training and safety of crew.

3.1.2 Review of actions

Error! Reference source not found. presents examples of actions being taken associated with the top species groups consumed within the UK: demersal, pelagic, Pacific salmon and shrimp and prawn fisheries. The actions to address impacts identified in Part 1 are presented in Table 16 in Appendix B and are summarised briefly below:

There has been significant change at the industry level over the last 10 years to improve environmental performance. This is being driven by reduce costs (fuel efficiency), avoid restrictions on fishing opportunities (selectivity) and a genuine desire to avoid the waste of discards and ensure sustainable future for the sector. Sourcing criteria and third-party certification have provided market incentives for better environmental performance at fisheries level (e.g. MSC) and vessel level (e.g. Seafish's Responsible Fisheries scheme).

Environmental: discards, vulnerable species, habitat protection and ghost fishing: The reduction of discards has been a major goal of many fisheries in the UK and overseas. In the UK and Europe, increasingly restrictive quotas has led to the increased discard of pressure stock species like cod and associated species e.g. whiting. To address this gear has been changed to improve the selectivity e.g. separator trawls and the use of square mesh panels. Many of the trawl fisheries for the coldwater shrimp (e.g. Pandalus spp.) now use Nordmøre separator grids that have reduced finfish bycatch substantially. Some countries, most notably Norway, Russia and the Faroe Islands, now have discard bans on some or all species. This, combined with real time closures and various spatial mechanisms (see Section 2) have attempted to reduce discarding, but it is still of concern discarding particularly in the mixed whitefish fisheries of the North Sea. Pilot schemes to address discards such as CCTV and catch quota are underway and it is expected that this issue is high on the CFP reform agenda.

In tropical shrimp and finfish fisheries, technical measure such as head rope restrictions (Australia and Madagascar) and bycatch reduction devices (BRD) such as turtle exclusion devices are applied in many fisheries, but not always effectively. Indonesia applies a BRD rule, but this is partly ignored. There is resistance to these devices if fishers fear the loss of revenue from bycatches (India), where crew remuneration is partly paid with bycatch revenue (Nigeria, Indonesia, Colombia), where high demand for trash fish exists (Vietnam), and where the need to apply measures is not understood (Mozambique).

In long line fisheries (for tuna and swordfish), hook design and gear sinking rates have reduced seabird and turtle by catch, but high shark catches are still of concern. The conservation of key vulnerable species such as sharks and seabirds has been identified by international and national 'plans of action', but the level of implementation varies.

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Table 4: Key capture fisheries management actions for top species consumed in UK

Species


Key outstanding issues Vessel design & operation

Bycatch & discard

reduction

Impacts on habitats & ETP

species

Abandoned, lost & discarded fishing gear

Other

Demersal (cod, haddock & pollock)

Fuel flow meters to reduce engine rev‟s; work with tide

Separator trawls; SMPs; move on policies

Use semi-pelagic doors, benthic mapping, pingers on static gear

GPS gear marking; cross-sector coordination

Cod bycatch / discarding

Long line seabird catch

Small pelagic (herring, mackerel, anchovy)

Purse seine hull design

Code of Practise on high-grading & slipping

Large pelagic (tuna)

Purse seine hull design

Avoid FAD sets; move on policies

Hook designs; release of ETPs from purse seines;

Juvenile bycatch from FAD sets

Shark & turtle catch from long lines

Long line gear loss

Pacific salmon No discarding of non-target salmon species; escapement allowance

Hatchery-based enhancement of local stocks

Poor information on non-salmon bycatch

Shrimp & prawns SMPs; physical separation (grids, TEDs, hoppers)

Use semi-pelagic doors, benthic mapping

Avoid rough ground (charts)

Bycatch; habitat damage

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The protection of habitats form bottom-fishing gear is coming under increasing attention. There is a notable shift to lighter gear and the use of semi-pelagic doors to lift them off the bottom. However it is recognised that the only certain form of protection is through spatial measures that either restrict or manage access to vulnerable or sensitive areas. This is being assisted through seabed mapping, as well as increasingly sophisticated navigation equipment onboard fishing vessels. Finally the impact of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is being increasingly recognised, with greater efforts to mark static gear and communicates its presence to others has dramatically reduced loss rates.

Environmental and economic: Fuel efficiency. With the increase in fuel prices over the past two years, fuel consumption has become a critical cost component. At the UK level advances in hull design, engine management and fishing gear design (to reduce drag) have all increased fuel efficiency. In Scotland the Fuel Task Force provides specific incentives for steps designed to reduce fuel consumption whilst in England Defra's 'Environmentally Responsible Fishing Project is designed to measure the environmental and economic impact of commercial fishing vessels targeting quota species in inshore waters.

Social: training and safety. In the UK safety at sea has been a concern for a number of years and has been a focus of crew training at all levels. Outside of the UK there is more concern as many vessels in developing country fisheries (e.g. supplying some ground fish and tuna into the UK market) lack modern communication and on-board safety equipment.

3.1.3 Summary

There is strong policy, strategy and regulatory control in place to manage capture fisheries at national, UK, EU and international levels. The rise in fuel prices is a major incentive for fisheries to reduce fuel consumption and while support has been provided and action taken there is a large variation across fleet sectors. Training and crew safety remains high priority across commercial fleets, but compared to environmental issues there is little assessment or socio-economic issues.

Based on the above information and that presented in Appendix B, an initial assessment to determine whether issues identified in Part 1 are being adequately addressed by actions identified in Part 2 is presented in Table 5Error! Reference source not found..

Table 5: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts- Capture fisheries


Environmental, social & economic: overarching

A strong policy, strategy and regulatory approach at both EU and national level.

Environmental: Discards Despite adoption of more selective gear, discarding is still widespread, esp. in mixed fisheries. Strongly linked to current quota system for pressure stocks.

Environmental: Endangered, threatened and protected species

Whilst many fisheries have 'action plans' in place, implementation is weak, esp. in tropical fisheries. Turtle catches have dropped, but shark bycatches are of concern at species & ecosystem level

Environmental: Habitat protection

Bottom trawling continues to reduce benthic productivity despite the development of lighter gear, widespread uptake is poor.

Environmental: Ghost fishing Increased gear marking and reduced gear conflicts due to better communication, gear loss still occurs and has implications or vulnerable species (diving birds, turtles, etc) and habitats.

Environmental & economic: Fuel efficiency

Although a major focus of Defra, Seafish and others in recent years, high fuel consumption by certain fleet sectors remains a concern.

Social & economic: Certification schemes and codes of practise

Strong uptake of third-party certification which now form the basis for many supermarket buying policies. Comparatively little assessment of socio-economics in overseas fisheries (work conditions, health & safety).

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3.2 Aquaculture

3.2.1 Introduction

The main actions identified to address aquaculture impacts presented in PART 1 can be grouped under the following impact headings:

Environmental, social and economic: Overarching strategy

Environmental: Feed source, effluents and chemical use, species interaction, infrastructure

Health: Shellfish quality


Aquaculture environmental management measures are specific to the method of production and species produced. Table 6 below identifies measures in place for those top aquaculture species consumed in the UK including salmon, trout, shrimp and mussels.

Table 6: Key aquaculture management actions for top species consumed in UK by growing method

Species

Key management actions Key outstanding issues Effluents

Chemical use

Species interactions

Infra-structure

Other

Marine cages (salmon, sea bass / bream)

Site selection; use of closed cycle systems

Lower stocking densities; Codes of Practise

Cage marking; contingency planning

EIA / SEA Biomass limits

Open system:

Freshwater ponds / tanks (trout, cyprinids, catfish)

Resettlement ponds, wetland biofilters; monitoring

Codes of Practice

Contingency planning

EIA Use of

Marine ponds / tanks (shrimp)

Resettlement ponds, wetland biofilters; monitoring

Codes of Practice

EIA Use of sensitive coastal sites

Rope & bottom culture (mussels, oyster, scallops)

Site selection EIA / SEA Introduction of parasites / disease to local populations

Table 17 in Appendix B provides further detail of these actions which are summarised below.

Environmental, social and economic: Overarching strategy. Over the last decade the strategic management of aquaculture development both in the UK and overseas has received much attention. In the UK, the Scottish finfish industry (inc. the vast majority of the UK's salmon, trout & marine species production) has been under a 'Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture', which was updated in 2009. An English shellfish strategy was recently developed by SAGB with a Scottish strategy also in development. Codes of practise have also been developed for finfish and shellfish. There are a number of differing

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standards for the third-party certification of 'sustainable' aquaculture but none have impacted the UK market place to date. The development of the new Aquaculture Stewardship Council may unite the current fragmented situation and is expected to gather momentum in 2011.

Environmental: Feed source. The rising price of fish meal and fish oil supplies and the recognition that this finite supply would soon halt growth in aquaculture production have encouraged fish feed manufacturers to seek alternative protein sources. It is now technically possible to almost eliminate fish meal from fish diets without any drop in growth performance. The main barriers are consumer resistance as well as lower natural Omega 3 oil levels, but these are likely to be overcome over time.

Environmental: Effluents and chemical use. Open aquaculture systems have the potential to cause significant changes to the external environment, including eutrophication of receiving waters. In the UK as well as the rest of the EU, increasingly tight regulation of biomass limits and restrictive discharge consents have reduced cumulative impacts. These, combined with area management agreements and site specific measures have reduced the impact of freshwater and coastal aquaculture to acceptable limits.

Environmental: Species interactions. Strict regulation of exotic species and GMO fish have meant that species introductions and associated risks (e.g. accidental introduction of accompanying parasites) are largely a thing of the past. However there is still considerable concern over the escape of cultured fish into water courses with genetically distinct fish populations e.g. salmon in Scotland and sea bass / sea bream in the Mediterranean.

Environmental: Infrastructure. Aquaculture can substantially modify water courses or place large-scale infrastructure into 'wilderness areas. However these are subject to the normal planning and consent procedures and given that many are in SACs or AONB, are subject to particularly stringent consenting.

Health: Shellfish quality. Shellfish quality has been governed by a strict growing area water quality classification scheme that has largely been effective. There are, however, concerns over the strength of legislation to cover dangerous pathogens such as norovirus levels from water treatment effluents.

3.2.3 Summary

Overarching strategy and codes of practise are well established for aquaculture practises, particularly in the UK and Norway which supply much of the farmed salmon consumed in the UK. These focus on fish health, welfare, husbandry, feeding and effluent / chemical management. Various standards do exist for aquaculture products and tend to be quality focused (e.g. Label Rouge) with weak and fragmented sustainability driven standards, although this will change with ASC.

Feed technology is advanced and alternative protein and oil sources have been developed. Strategic use of fish oil to ensure required levels of Omega 3 is practised in the UK to reduce levels of fish oil needed throughout the life cycle. Barriers exist to the extent substitutions of protein and oil can be made, particularly in the UK due to regulations and retail resistance.

Actions relating to effluents, chemicals, species interaction and infrastructure are defined under strict discharge and planning consent regulations including siting considerations and Environmental Impact Assessments for new sites and proposed extensions to existing sites.

Based on the above information and that presented in Appendix B, an initial assessment to determine whether issues identified in Part 1 are being adequately addressed by actions identified in Part 2 is presented in Table 7.

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Table 7: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - Aquaculture


Environmental: Overarching strategy

Strong emphasis on policy, regulation and industry-level guidance on aquaculture development. Current market-driven incentives for sustainable aquaculture are weak and fragmented, although there are recent improvements (e.g. development of ASC)

Environmental: Feed source

Alternative, non-fishmeal based solutions are technically and economically viable. However some industry and consumer resistance limits uptake.

Environmental: Effluents and chemical use

Strict environmental regulation in the UK and wider EU ensures sufficient actions to address this. Some concern that third country imports do not have similar standards, but EU seeking to address this within WTO rules. No significant gaps

Environmental: Species interaction

Currently legislation prevents use of exotic or GMO species. However the use and inevitable escape of domesticated fish and the impact of their interbreeding with wild fish is still not fully addressed.

Environmental: Infrastructure

No significant gaps

Health: Shellfish quality Generally covered and will soon be replaced with the WFD. However there are still legislative gaps and uncertainties.

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4 Stages 3 onwards: Post Harvest

4.1 Stage 3: Processing

4.1.1 Introduction

Fish and shellfish products are highly perishable and therefore prompt and hygienic processing is necessary to maintain quality and safety of the products.

The evidence based review undertaken as Part 1 of this project identified the main sustainability impacts of the processing stage and the main actions currently being undertaken to address these are described briefly below. A more detailed list can be found in Table 18 in Appendix B.


Environmental: energy consumption and fresh water consumption: With the increased centralisation of processing (larger scale and use of clustered facilities) the higher utilisation of both energy and water has encouraged mechanisms to reduce consumption and encourage recycling (of water). In particular new facilities aim for improved efficient in both fuel and water consumption. There is extensive advice available from both generic industry sources as well as sector-specific resources (e.g. Seafish).

Socio-economic: employment and training: Government guidance (e.g. National Strategy on Sustainable Development) and company level corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies have resulted in UK companies and most suppliers to UK companies adopting reasonable standards for processing workers. There are extensive training opportunities for quality control, technical skills, health and safety and career development.

Health: food safety. Extensive industry-wide standards are in place for food safety, including British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) Food Safety Certification Scheme. Also greater traceability being introduced though the MSC Chain of Custody certification scheme, as well as international practises such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and ISO 22000 Food safety management systems. Individual processors will implement actions through Codes of Practises to ensure requirements of above standards, where adopted, are implemented.

Health: nutritional value of certain processed forms. Project Neptune was led by the Food and Drink Federation in partnership with industry and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to deliver a three-year action plan on salt reduction in 2006. The FSA has salt reduction targets for fish products which have recently been revised, as well as advice to consumers on fat and salt intake. There are also industry led initiatives focused on developing non-fried breaded products as an alternative to deep fried battered products; lower fat content of products & spray oil technology for cooking battered products.

4.1.3 Summary

Processing actions relating to resource use (electricity and water) are business driven with the economic incentive to maintain low operation costs by reducing consumption. Employment and training are well developed with UK buyers ensuring standards are maintained within the UK and for non UK processing plants. Similarly for food safety, regulations are strict with various standards upheld and well developed and with regular testing and monitoring in place. A number of initiatives have been undertaken to improve the nutritional value of processed foods. At a national level these appear to be focused on reducing salt content while industry led initiatives have explored reducing fat content.

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Table 8: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - Processing


Environmental: energy and fresh water consumption

No significant gaps

Socio-economic: employment & training

No significant gaps

Health: Food safety No significant gaps

Health: Nutritional value – salt No significant gaps

Health: Nutritional value – fat content

Potential for reducing fat content within seafood products.

4.2 Stage 4: Storage

4.2.1 Introduction

Storage is necessary throughout the supply chain with products being stored chilled, frozen or in ambient conditions. Part 1 found no storage related impacts for ambient products. No socio-economic impacts were identified and health impacts were analysed as negligible compared to processed product form, although actions in this area have been identified. The significant impacts are environmental, relating to energy consumption and refrigerant use. The main actions currently being undertaken to address these are described briefly below. A more detailed list can be found in Table 19 in Appendix B.


Environmental: energy consumption. Improvements in the seafood cold chain have benefited from the wider attention of organisations such as the British Frozen Food Federation and the Carbon Trust that have fine-tuned cold storage requirements and allowed energy savings through reducing too stringent temperature regimes. There is also increasing use of on-site micro-power generation and greater utilisation of energy from renewable sources, especially wind power. Another main strand of activity is reducing packaging levels (and thus the material and energy cost involved), reducing product volume and weight and thus providing savings on cold storage as well as transportation costs.

Environmental: refrigerant use: Although refrigerants have been CFC-free for some time, they are still costly in material and energy terms to produce and subject to sometimes high loss rates in operation.

Health: Quality & handing of temperature-controlled products. Organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN have provided extensive guidance on the storage of chilled and frozen seafood materials, with good practise widely established across the cold chain both in the UK and abroad.

4.2.3 Summary

Actions to improve energy consumption within the storage chain are mainly economically driven with some CSR-based decisions to source from renewable generation. Despite this research shows that cold storage, in particular frozen foods are stored well below required temperatures to ensure product safety. Furthermore open refrigeration and frozen storage at retail stages are reported to cause significant energy loss which also impacts the levels of refrigerants required. Standards for the quality and handling of temperature controlled foods are well defined with extensive guidance.

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Table 9: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - storage


Environmental: energy consumption Energy savings from increasing controlled temperature levels

Environmental: refrigerant use Potential for improved refrigerant use

Health: Quality and handing No significant gaps

4.3 Stage 5: Point of Sale

4.3.1 Introduction

The point of sale refers to the stage at which the product is sold to the consumer and includes retailers (supermarkets & fishmongers) and food service (restaurants and catering. including institutions; schools, prisons, hospitals etc).

The main environmental issues identified in Part 1 are linked to the other life cycle stages (packaging, storage including refrigeration etc). The energy consumed in running infrastructure at the point of sale were recognised but considered negligible given the small percentage that seafood products contribute to overall running costs.

During the consultation stage of Part 2 of the project it was identified that the buying power of processors, retailers, restaurateurs, institutions etc, together with their individually developed sourcing criteria and policies have had significant influence over which seafood products are purchased and ultimately over fisheries and aquaculture management practices.

The evidence based review undertaken as Part 1 of this project found the following main impacts at the point of sale and the main actions currently being undertaken to address these are described briefly below. A more detailed list can be found in Table 20 in Appendix B.


Environmental: Processors and retailers. Many of the large retailers and their suppliers are developing sourcing criteria and 'sustainable purchasing' decision support tools. There is an increasing move to 'choice editing' on behalf of the consumer, with third-party certification schemes such as the MSC becoming the benchmark, although consumer advice websites such as the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) „fishonline‟ are also used by a small proportion of consumers.

Environmental: Food service and institutions. There has been extensive Government attention to improving responsible purchasing behaviour in the food service sector. This includes the Department of Health 'Healthier Food Mark' that has a seafood-specific rating award system, the FSA Catering Strategy that encourages major caterers to promote healthier choices and the Food for Life Partnership Mark in English schools. MSC also has started a 'Fish and Kids' promoting the consumption of MSC certified fish in UK schools. The Olympic Food Charter will produce a 'Sustainable Sourcing Code later this summer (2010). This is one of the few examples of a major public procurement body making a specific commitment to sustainably sourced fish.

Environmental: Restaurants. The Defra 'Greener Living Fund' promotes its 'MSC on the menu' scheme for restaurants. The British Skipper Scheme also promotes the use of catch from vessels certified under Seafish's 'Responsible Fisheries Scheme', whilst restaurateurs have established schemes such as the 'Pisces Responsible Fish Restaurants' to directly link restaurants with small-scale fishing boats using sustainable practices. Pisces-RFR helps chefs

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source better quality, more sustainable, more local fish and rewards good fishing practices with better prices for the fishermen.

Environmental: All points of sale. Defra's 'Guidance of Green Claims' provides practical guidance on how to ensure environmental claims are fair and realistic. MSC's Chain of Custody certification scheme has also supported seafood traceability through to the point of sale.

4.3.3 Summary

Many large processors and retailers have environmental and sustainable policies in place that are increasingly demanding and setting targets for sustainably or responsible sourced seafood products. These companies have the resources and knowledge to develop such sourcing policies and the buying power to provide sufficient incentive for fisheries to change practises and/or seek certification. There are also initiatives to support small businesses in sourcing sustainably such as the Good Catch Initiative and British Skippers. However it is evident that sourcing criteria are not consistent across the food sector and there are not robust standards in place for „sustainable‟ terminology, other than the MSC or equivalent eco-label. It is also evident that smaller companies including local fishmongers may not have the capacity or resources to establish and implement sourcing criteria. Procurement strategy within the food service and intuitions is predominately Government led, with a number of initiatives currently or imminently in place.


Table 10: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts


Environmental: all points of sale Potential for guidance to be provided to improve consistently of sourcing criteria with particular focus on smaller scale companies including fish mongers

Potential for inconsistent use of „sustainable‟ and „responsibly sourced‟ in marketing and labelling at all points of sale.

Encouragement for establishment of Chain of Custody to support newly MSC certified fisheries.

4.4 Stage 6: Consumption

4.4.1 Introduction

Potential environmental impacts linked with consumption of seafood are limited to the energy used during the cooking process. This is deemed minimal compared to the socio-economic and health impacts which relate the quantity of fish consumed. The main impacts identified in Part 1 are therefore:

Socio-economic: confidence to eat seafood; confusion over meaning of sustainability

Health: promotion of eating seafood and choosing healthier options

In addition to actions addressing the above impacts, a number of generic government and NGO strategies and programmes have been identified. The evidence based review undertaken as Part 1 of this project found the following main impacts at the point of consumption and the main actions currently being undertaken to address these are described briefly below. A more detailed list can be found in Table 21 in Appendix B.

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Generic strategy for health and socio-economics. A wide array of Government and NGO initiatives promote healthier eating. This includes the UK Government's 'Food 2030 Strategy' (promoting awareness of alternative fish species and increasing seafood consumption, especially of oily fish), the Cabinet Office 'Food Matters Strategy' that includes the establishment of the Council of Food Policy Advisers and the launch of Change4Life campaign; and the FSA Strategy 2010-2015 to deliver safe local and imported food and healthier food products and catering meals, including improved consumer awareness about healthy eating. Defra's 'Securing food supplies up to 2050' and their 'Food Synthesis Review' also recognise the importance of promoting two portions of sustainable fish and potential to promote other fish species, and assessing consumer attitudes, behavioural determinants, key influencers and potential interventions for consumer food choices, adopting a lower impact diet respectively.

Socio-economic: confidence to eat seafood. Many supermarkets and restaurant chains now provide menu and cooking advice for seafood, and new product preparation and packaging have attempted to take the mystique out of cooking fish well e.g. Birds Eye's 'Simply Bake to Perfection' baking bags.

Socio-economic: confusion over meaning of sustainability. There are now numerous advice websites and other services to assist consumers in choosing health and 'sustainable' fish. MCS's 'Fishonline' is probably the best known, although the SFP‟s Fishsource database provides more international coverage. There are also consumer advice websites on healthy eating e.g. FSA's 'Eatwell'. But with no accepted standard for what the term 'sustainable' guarantees, claims are difficult to compare and may be misleading.

Despite these efforts there remains consumer confusion about what sustainability actually means. This situation is not helped by inconsistent messages delivered for example on the FSA website which appears to promote the consumption of unsustainable species including shark, marlin and swordfish (due to their oily content).

Health: Promotion of eating seafood. FSA's 'Two a week' fish consumption campaign, the Scottish Government's 'East More Fish' Campaign, combined with a growing number of seafood festivals and public cooking events are just some of the approaches to promoting the greater consumption of seafood, especially oily fish.

Health: Choosing healthier options. The FSA traffic light system for food labelling includes a „fish & chips‟ pilot which began in November 2009 with further roll out in March 2010. This encourages fish & chip shops to show number of calories on the menu.

4.4.3 Summary

Based on the above information and that presented in Appendix B, an initial assessment to determine whether issues identified in Part 1 are being adequately addressed by actions identified in Part 2 is presented in Table 11. Table 11: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - consumption


Generic strategy for health and socio-economics

No significant gaps

Socio-economic: confidence to eat seafood

Further promotion of cooking methods within new ICA website

Socio-economic: confusion over meaning of sustainability

FSA - confusing information on sustainable fish species Confusing environmental message re. local v imported seafood.

Health: Promotion of eating seafood & cooking healthily

Ensure that the correct fish is promoted i.e. sustainable and healthy options including oily fish. Linked to healthier cooking methods

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4.5 All stages: Packaging

4.5.1 Introduction

The evidence based review undertaken as Part 1 of this project found the following main packaging impacts to be (i) energy and (ii) resource use. The main actions currently being undertaken to address these are described briefly below. A more detailed list can be found in Table 22 in Appendix B.


Environmental: energy use. Recycling will reduce the amount of energy required to produce „new‟ packaging. Most seafood packaging does not involve glass (except some pickled products). Some processors and retailers are moving towards ensuring all packaging can be recycled.

Environmental: resource use. There is evidence that some large retailers and processors are moving to using higher proportions of recycled materials in packaging.

4.5.3 Summary

A range of actions are being taken by industry to reduce levels of packaging and increase use of recycled materials within packaging. This is primarily based on individual industry targets and is better established in larger companies.


Table 12: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - packaging


Environmental: energy use Potential for further improvements to ensure packaging is 100% recyclable

Environmental: resource use Potential for further improvements to using higher proportion of recycled materials within all packaging

4.6 All stages: Transport

4.6.1 Introduction

The main impacts identified for transport in Part 1 are environmental energy consumption and associate emissions for air freight travel. . The main actions currently being undertaken to address these are described briefly below. A more detailed list can be found in Table 23 in Appendix B.


Industry action. There are economic drivers to move from air freight to sea and road freight. Many large processors have made transition, but certain products are still air freighted. There is some evidence of road freight moving to lower impact fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Customer awareness of product origin. Promotion of food miles can be misleading since travelling thousands of miles by sea freight has significantly less emissions than travelling hundreds of miles by air freight.

Consumer (passenger cars). Promotion by retailers of shopping on line and home delivery services.

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4.6.3 Summary

Economic drivers to reduce fuel consumption have environmental benefits by reducing emissions. This has led to some buyers moving away from air freight to favour lower cost sea and road transport, achieved by ensuring freshness and quality of product at first point of landing. Despite this seafood products are still air freighted.


Table 13: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts - transport


Environmental: emissions Potential for further reduction in air freight.

4.7 All stages: Waste

4.7.1 Introduction

Waste impacts occur throughout the supply chain, the prominent issues identified in Part 1 relate to waste at the production stages (capture and aquaculture), packaging waste and food waste. Management for waste generated during wild capture and aquaculture practises are largely covered by actions taken at the production stages including those relating to discarding (wild capture) and discharge limits (aquaculture). There are actions, however, linked with collecting marine litter which are distinct from production practises.

No socio-economic impacts were identified. Health impacts related to methane emissions from food waste, which could be argued to be an environmental impact and indeed is addressed under food waste environmental actions.

A more detailed list can be found in Table 24 in Appendix B.


Environmental: marine and fisheries waste. Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljøorganisasjon (KIMO - Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) Fishing for Litter campaign started in Scotland in 2005 and is now being rolled out to rest of UK, Netherland and Baltic. In Scotland 'ScotNet Recycling' and offers a free service that takes old netting and other gear such as wooden wire reels from fishermen and finds outlets and markets for the material for recycling. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) 'Big Weekend' litter survey cleans up beaches and monitors levels of marine litter washed up onto beaches

Environmental: packaging waste. The Courtauld Commitment is a voluntary agreement to improve resource efficiency in the retail sector - 29 major retailers and brand owners have committed to the agreement to date. WRAP have produced numerous reports and provide advice to consumers, retailers and Local Authorities. Voluntary industry action has reduced packing weights year on year and developed closed loop systems for secondary packaging

Environmental: Food waste. The WRAP 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign includes tips for reducing waste per food type as well as leftover recipes and practical freezer tips.

4.7.3 Summary

Actions are in place to deal with marine fisheries waste with focus on providing disposal facilities to fisheries.

Industry packaging waste is minimised wherever possible with many operating closed loop systems for secondary packaging. There is however, obvious scope to improve recycling of primary packaging which is the responsibility of the consumer and Local Authorities (to provide adequate recycling facilities).

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Momentum is being gained on promotion of reducing consumer food waste. Food waste not only contributes to green house gas emissions from landfill but in effect negates all of the energy and resources for all previous life cycle stages. Campaigns currently focus on the economic incentive to reduce food waste, however for seafood products better promotion of frozen and ambient processed forms would undoubtedly reduce waste.


Table 14: Assessment of whether actions are adequate to address impacts


Environmental: Marine and fisheries waste

No significant gaps identified (within scope of project i.e. marine litter not all related to seafood production)

Environmental: Packaging waste

Potential for further reductions in packaging and improved recycling facilities

Environmental: Food waste

Potential for better promotion of frozen foods (being just as fresh as chilled) to further reduce waste

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Appendix A: Phase 2 Questionnaire

Review of industry, government and other action to improve the sustainability of fish and shellfish production & consumption

Actions which are being taken by fishers, processors, retailers, caterers, waste managers, Government and others to address the environmental and social impacts

of fish and shellfish production and consumption

INITIAL BRIEFING ON PURPOSE, NATURE AND DURATION OF INTERVIEW

As part of, Defra‟s work on Sustainable Consumption and Production Study is the first step in developing an voluntary Action Plan to address sustainability impacts across the product lifecycle

aimed at improving any part of the market - promoting best practice and innovation; moving the bulk of the market to be more sustainable; or cutting out the least sustainable products.

The specific purpose of this questionnaire is to corroborate findings from review of evidence; identify what actions are already being taken to addresses these impacts; and what more can be done to make the industry more sustainable

CONTACTS

Name: Phone:

Job title: Mobile:

Organisation: Email:

Address:

Life cycle interests:

Resource management Retail sales

Capture fisheries production Food service sales

Aquaculture production Transport

Processing Waste management

Storage Consumer issues

Brief description of business

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1. IMPACTS [this section will be adapted to be relevant to the specific consultee]

1A. Overview of identified impacts and issues

Briefing Response

Bullet point briefing to be prepared in advance

1B. Information sources used and gaps

Briefing Response


1C. Additional information needs and resources

Briefing Response


2. CURRENT ACTIONS

2A. Identification of main actions

Briefing Response

Bullet point briefing to be prepared in advance, noting known actions

List known actions, including scope, level of adoption, results to date.

2B. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats (SWOT) of listed existing actions

Action 1 (from 2A).

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

Action 2 (from 2A).



Action 3 (from 2A).



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3. ADDITIONAL ACTIONS

3A. What are the main opportunities for improving sustainability?

3B.What actions could be taken and by who?

3.C What are the potential benefits to this approach?

3.D What are the potential risk to this approach (e.g. side effects, inequities, barriers)

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Appendix B: Supporting Tables

Table 15: Actions undertaken in relation to the wild resource

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: over-fishing – generic

CFP reform Europe The CFP has four main sections dealing with resource management, markets, structural policy and external aspects. The CFP has a ten year reform cycle and so since its formation in 1983 it has undergone reform in 1992 and 2002. Having published the Green Paper to outline challenges facing Europe‟s fisheries, the EC have conducted extensive consultation and is currently undertaking an impact assessment of the reform.

Environmental: overfishing – input controls

Restrictive licensing

National Limiting the scale and nature of fishing in a specific area or for a certain stock, including the following (and combinations of these):

limiting the number of vessels,

limiting the time - over a season or number of days at sea,

the nature and number of fishing gear deployed and

the area in which they can fish Specific examples include days at sea for whitefish fleets and pot limits for some crustacean fisheries (e.g. Northumberland SFC and Outer Hebrides IFG).

Vessel decommissioning

National / EU

Various decommission rounds, removing excess capacity through vessel retirement. In particular this has affected the whitefish (cod and haddock) mixed fisheries in the North Sea.

Fisheries agreements

EU / Member State

The EC external fleet gains access to third country waters (e.g. for purse seine and long line tuna fisheries, supplying much of the canned fish destined for the UK) via fisheries partnership agreements, stipulating vessel numbers, types and provides reference tonnages. Although aimed at „surplus stocks‟, these have been criticised for impacting on coastal catches and livelihoods.

Vessel Licence Parking Scheme

Scotland Allows multiple existing fishing licenses to be places on one fishing vessel so that the vessel can be shared therefore allowing operating costs (harbour dues, repairs etc) to be reduced. Also allows opportunity for vessels to buy out others and gain access to additional quota and effort.

Other tropical fisheries measures

Global Many tropical shrimp fisheries remain largely open access but examples of input controls include: buy-back schemes in Australia to reduce capacity; fishing input rights based on head rope length (Australia and Mexico); removal of unused licences (USA) or licences held by those infringing regulations (Indonesia); and seasonal and area restrictions in a number of countries.

Environmental: overfishing – output controls

TACs, quotas and ITQs

Global Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set based on ICES scientific advice and quotas allocated to member states based on historical rights. Individual Transferable Quotas used in some countries and managed by Producer Organisations (as are quotas).

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Action Scope Objectives and results Stock harvest limits

Global Managing fisheries at maximum sustainable yield (MSY3) is extensively used for fisheries management and the 2002

Johannesburg world summit on sustainable development (WSSD) provided commitment to restore fisheries to their MSY by 2015.

RFMOs Global Regional fisheries management organisations tasked with developing consensus for managing highly migratory species (tuna, billfish) and associated environmental issues (bycatch of ETP)

Rights based management

Individual / community

Giving rights to the fishermen to manage their own resource – can include a range of measure (quota, spatial management) but provides incentive for fishermen to maximise economic benefit and therefore greater stewardship over the resource, leading to longer term sustainability.

Minimum landing sizes

Global Set for most species including those that do not have quota. MLS is the primary management tool for may shellfisheries (except Nephrops).

Catch quotas Scotland, Denmark & Germany

As part of Aalborg declaration the Fully Documented Fishery (or CCTV or Electronic Monitoring Programme) sets catch quotas for vessels whereby everything of marketable size must be landed and is monitored by on board CCTV cameras. Around 30 vessels in Denmark and 10 in Scotland are piloting scheme.

IUU Regulation Global Catch-certificate scheme covering all imports of fisheries products with aim to stop all IUU fishery products entering the EU. Came into force 1

st January 2010.

Environmental: Wider ecosystem management (relating to removal of wild resource)

International agreements supporting marine and coastal biodiversity management and conservation

International 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

1972 Stockholm Declaration of the UN Conference on the Human Development

1973 Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora & Fauna (CITES)

1976 onwards UNEP Regional Seas Conventions

1979 Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

1980 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

1991 Global Environment Facility (GEF)

1992 Convention on Biological Diversity

1992 Declaration of the UN Conference on Environment and Development

1992 Helsinki Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses

1992 UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)

1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF)

1995 Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity

1995 UN Agreement on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

3 The highest theoretical equilibrium yield that can be continuously taken (on average) from a stock under existing (average) environmental conditions without affecting

significantly the reproduction process (FAO)

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Action Scope Objectives and results 2001 Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem

2002 Johannesburg world summit on sustainable development

2002 Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

2008 Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU) Long term management plans

Europe Developed for certain species to consider wider ecosystem based management and longer term targets and limit reference points. Considers position of target species within the wider ecosystem and predator prey relationships.

Certification schemes

Global Including MSC, Icelandic Certification Scheme (in development) and others. For MSC Principle 1 is solely focused on status and management of target fishery.

Fishery Improvement Projects

Global Based on MSC standard, WWF are funding FIPs to review fisheries and assist in the development of management plans to improve the fishery including stock status.

Approaches to tackling climate change

Global / UK At a national level Defra, together with DECC and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), recently launched the UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme, providing £12 million over five years to drive forward research on the implications of ocean acidification, its risks to marine biogeochemistry and biodiversity, and its impacts on the whole Earth System.

Defra is also working with DECC to understand and manage the risks to the marine environment and meet the UK renewable energy targets. Furthermore the 2009 UK Low Carbon Transition Plan introduced the concept of “Departmental carbon budgets” as a way of providing Government Departments with accountability for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental: Spatial management

Closed areas Global Various closures relating to specific gear and/or engine size and vessel length and seasonal closures.

Real Time Closures

Europe A Real Time Closure (RTC) system is in place for the North Sea and Skagerrak as part of an agreement between the EC and Norway. This is designed to protect juvenile cod, haddock, whiting and saithe by closing an area for 21 days when a 200kg catch sample contains more than 15% of these juvenile species

Marine & Coastal Access Bill

UK Through the proposed Marine Bill, the UK government is developing a comprehensive system of marine spatial planning that: (a) sets out the principles and long-term goals for protecting the marine environment and promoting the sustainable use of the sea; (b) develops integrated regional management planning to guide all uses of the sea, including fishing; and (c) has a statutory basis as well as a clear framework for public participation.

Marine Protected Areas

Europe The majority of existing Natura 2000 sites, designated under Birds and Habitats Directives, are coastal and a further phase of site selection is underway for marine sites beyond coastal waters

Environmental: Provision of data

ICES North Atlantic

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) coordinates and promotes marine research on oceanography, the marine environment, the marine ecosystem, and on living marine resources in the North Atlantic. 20 member countries fund and support ICES. ICES provide annual advice for quota species and have a range of working groups providing advice across the marine environment.

CEFAS UK The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is a scientific research and advisory centre for fisheries management, environmental protection and aquaculture.

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Action Scope Objectives and results MSC Risk Based Framework

Global Provides RBF criteria to assess fisheries that are data deficient. As part of the Developing World Fisheries Program MSC promotes fair and equal access to sustainable seafood markets.

SAGB shellfish research

UK Shellfish Association of Great Britain has funded and co-ordinated a number of research projects into stock status for shellfish, in particular brown crab and lobster

Seafish Responsible Sourcing guides

Global Provided information on stock status for 25 different species.

Industry Science Partnerships

UK Scottish Industry Science Partnership manages and coordinates a number of research projects including biological surveys, research to determine effectiveness of area closures, determination of spawning and nursery areas, gear selectivity and gear modification trials.

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership

Global FishSource provides independent information and assessment of data to determine sustainability of fisheries including stock status.

Environmental: Industry sourcing criteria

Processors and retailers individually developed sourcing criteria

UK/ Global Development of sourcing criteria and policy statements for fish and shellfish species by large processors and retailers which can influence fisheries management and species consumed in the UK. Including (for example) commitment to sourcing MSC or equivalent products and diversifying into new species.

Health: Reducing land-based pollution and dumping at sea

OSPAR Decisions and Recommendations and EC Directives

Europe Reductions in discharges of heavy metals, organic substances and other hazardous chemicals into the North East Atlantic

OSPAR‟s strategy for hazardous substances

Europe A work programme has been developed to identify those hazardous substances which are of greatest concern, prepare assessments on the main sources and pathways to the marine environment and to develop or promote appropriate measures to achieve the 2020 cessation target for these substances. Around 30 substances for priority action have been identified so far and individual Contracting Parties take forward work on specific substances. The UK is taking the lead on mercury, octylphenol and 2,4,6 tri-tertbutylphenol.

EC‟s Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive (IPPC)

Europe Requirement for all major industries apply BAT to limit discharges and emissions of hazardous substances into the environment. National regulations have been adopted to implement the provisions of the Directive and to improve transparency

Water Framework Directive

Europe Establishes a strategic framework for protecting waters, including coastal and transitional waters, with the aim of achieving demanding water quality targets by 2015. Certain priority substances will be subject to cessation or phasing out of discharges, emissions and losses within 20 years of the adoption of measures for this purpose.

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Table 16: Actions undertaken in relation to capture fisheries

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental, Social and Economic: overarching issues

Common Fisheries Policy – Reform 2012

EU As per Table 15

National Strategies

Global Defra „Fisheries 2027‟

Natural England „Sea Fisheries: Steps to Sustainability‟

Welsh Fisheries Strategy

Strategic Framework for Scottish Sea Fisheries

National Scallop Dredging Strategy

The Ocean – Iceland‟s Policy

Norway‟s Fresh Fish Strategy and many more

Environmental, Social and Economic: Certification schemes and codes of practise

Third party Certification Schemes

Global MSC – environmental focus on retained spp, bycatch & discards, interaction with endangered, threatened and protected species, habitats and ecosystem.

Icelandic certification scheme

Alaskan certification scheme

Responsible Fishing Scheme

UK Focus on vessel practises, hygiene, quality, safety and environmental practises. Currently 620 vessels certified and it is an aim for many regions to obtain RFS for entire fleets e.g. South East SFC and Shetland.

Industry Code of Conducts

Global Good practise guides for various fishing methods (Seafish) Industry code of conducts (incl National Strategy for Scallop Dredgers)

Environmental: Discards

Technical measures to increase gear selectivity

Global Including:

mesh sizes,

escape panels – square mesh and T90 codends, selection grids, separator grids and guiding panels

capture avoidance designs,

sieve nets,

gear trials in North Sea underway incl equipment to release cod and research into square mesh panel sizes

Gear deployment strategies

Global Including:

gillnet soak times,

trawl tow times,

gillnet recovery techniques

EU ban on high grading

Europe As part of the EU-Norway Agreement the EU introduced a ban on high grading in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat from January 2009.

Norway ban on discards

Norway (& others)

Norway introduced a discards ban in 1988 specifically for cod and haddock, but it has since been expanded to cover most species. Russia and the Faroe Islands also have a ban on discarding.

Code of Practise on slipping

Global MSC assessments of the pelagic fleet (landing predominately mackerel and herring) have placed conditions on fisheries to avoid and record any slippage. Technological advances such as fish finder and jigging allow the size of fish to be determined and therefore minimise need for slippage. This practise is also covered under ban on high grading.

Discard Action Group

Europe Set up by Seafish this is an issue forum to discuss and record ongoing actions to reduce and eliminate discards. New developments in discards are recorded and assessed for

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Action Scope Objectives and results European countries on a regular basis.

Area closures including Real Time Closures

North Sea As per Table 2.1

Aalborg declaration

Scotland, Denmark & Germany

As per Table 2.1

Environmental: Endangered, threatened and protected

Gear technology

Global hook design,

long line sinking rates,

pingers.

EU Seabirds Action Plan

EU Currently in development

EU Action Plans EU EU Action Plans and ICES Working Groups set up for sharks and marine mammals

Environmental: Habitat protection

Gear technology Global Shift from mobile gear to passive gear. Use of lighter gear and semi-pelagic trawl doors

Spatial management

EU / Global Improved habitat mapping/avoidance Area management including closures and gear restrictions associated with Natura 2000 sites (see Table 2.1)

Environmental: Ghost fishing

Code of Conducts Global Marking / charting of gear,

use of GPS,

communication with other fishers,

avoidance of rough ground

Environmental & Economic: Fuel efficiency

Fuel Action Plans UK Various measures taken to reduce fuel consumption and increase efficiency including: engines & hull design, fishing practices, net design, fish finder, real time fuel gauges.

Fuel Task Force Scotland Including a fuel efficiency scheme which provides incentives for steps designed to reduce fuel consumption. The Fuel Task Force have undertaken a detailed analysis by fleet sector of the most appropriate interventions to improve fuel efficiency.

Defra Environmentally Responsible Fishing Project

England A pilot study which concluded in November last year, designed to measure the environmental and economic impact of commercial fishing vessels targeting quota species in inshore waters. The data collected includes information on the factors which affect emissions, including the gear type and engine efficiency of vessels and the distances travelled to reach different fishing grounds

Social: training and safety

Sea survival, training and safety guidance

Global

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Table 17: Actions undertaken in relation to aquaculture production

Action Scope Objectives and results

Environmental, social and economic: Overarching strategy

Codes of Good Practise & strategy

Global Strategy for an Environmentally Sustainable Norwegian Aquaculture Industry

A Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture (updated 2009)

Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture

Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers Code of Good Practice

And many more

Environmental and social audits

Global Environmental and social audits of fish farms are regularly undertaken.

Global Aquaculture Alliance

Global The GAA develops the Best Aquaculture Practises certification standards which address environmental and social responsibility, animal welfare, food safety and traceability in a voluntary certification program for aquaculture facilities. Specific BAPs included shrimp, tilapia and catfish farm standards

Global Sustainability Standard

Global Global Sustainability Standards for specific aquaculture including shrimp, bivalves, tilapia and catfish.

Global G.A.P Global Integrated Farm Assurance Standard for all agricultural products, including aquaculture namely salmonids, shrimp, pangasius and tilapia.

Certification Global Freedom Food RSPC monitored.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (in development expected operational in 2011)

Environmental: Feed source

Use of alternative protein and oil

Global Use of alternative protein (soya, corn starch) and oil (soya and rape seed). But replacement limited by standards such as Label Rouge and also requirement to ensure levels of Omega 3 in final product (obtained via consumption of fish oil).

Globally (but not in Scotland) use of other protein sources (ruminant meal, poultry meal and feather meal) and GM products.

Strategic feeding Global Changing the diet based on life stage requirements and strategic use of fish oil at later life stages to ensure Omega 3 levels.

Environmental: Effluents and chemical use

Discharge consents

Global Discharge consents issued by relevant authority to manage levels of chemical used for various treatments

Stocking densities Global Management of stocking densities to improve growth rate as well as other factors. Noted that for some species such as tilapia high stocking densities have been shown to improve growth rate and reduce aggression.

Codes of practise Global As above

Area management agreements

Scotland AMAs have been developed in Scotland and commit fish farms within given areas to a range of objectives including strategic lice treatments and synchronised production cycles.

Effluent settlement Global Effluent settlement and nutrient stripping using biofilters.

Feeding systems Global Continual developments in automated feeding systems to ensure correct amount of feed issued.

Use of well boats Scotland Emerging use of well boats to contain chemical treatments

Environmental: Species interactions

Environmental Impact Assessment

Global Siting criteria will be used to locate aquaculture prior to EIA undertaken to assess and mitigate all impacts including potential for species interaction.

Contingency planning for escapement

Closed system Global Further development into onshore closed systems.

Environmental: Infrastructure

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EIA / SEA Global Strategic Environmental Assessments and EIAs will be undertaken pre development and for any expansion to consider impacts of infrastructure.

Health: Shellfish quality

EC Shellfish Waters Directive and Shellfish Health Directive

Europe To protect and improve water quality where shellfish grow. Includes designation of shellfish growing waters (classified as A, B, or C) and sets out depuration requirements.

To be superseded by Water Framework Directive when it is fully operational.

Table 18: Actions undertaken in processing life cycle stage

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: energy and fresh water consumption

Technological developments

Global High volume markets give rise to high-tech mass production methods. Economic driver to increase operating efficiency and therefore reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions. Particularly evident in investments of new processing plants.

Industry Codes of Practise

Global Individual industry code of practise to reduce energy consumption and fresh water usage within processing factories and associated offices.

Seafish Advice UK Seafish advice on efficient operating in relation to water usage including office and factory posters.

Use of green energy

EU Individual cases where energy is purchased from renewable sources (mainly wind) & exploration into on site micro renewables is being considered.

Socio-economic: employment & training

Corporate Social Responsibility

Global Including CSR: A Government update and the Government‟s National Strategy on Sustainable Development

Seafish Seafood Training Academy

UK Training in fishmonger practice; fish fryer practice; maintaining fish quality; hygiene and cleaning; HACCAP training; chilled & frozen fish chains; fish smoking; primary processing in white fish; health and safety; fish identification; advice on jobs and careers in seafood processing

Health: Food safety

British Retail Consortium

Global Global Standard for Food Safety, Storage & Distribution. Leading global product safety & quality certification program. Standards relevant to processing sector inc. Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 5) & Global Standard for Consumer Products (Issue 3).

UK Accreditation Service

UK Product certification, quality management

SALSA UK Safe and Local Supplier Approval – Food Safety Certification Scheme for small to medium sized producers to help them supply their produce to national and regional buyers

MSC Chain of Custody

Global Standard for seafood traceability to ensure MSC certified products can be traced throughout supply chain.

International Featured Standard

Global IFS Food standard for processed products where there is a hazard for product contamination during primary packaging.

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Global HACCP is a risk management tool that promotes good practices in the food industry by focusing on hazards that affect food safety & establishing critical control limits at critical points during the production process.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22000

Global ISO 22000 Food safety management systems - Requirements for any organization in the food chain. This standard aims to provide international harmonization to the numerous national standards for food safety. It is intended to exceed the regulatory requirements for food safety

WHO & FAO Global World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN Code of practise for fish and fishery products (2009: first edition)

Industry Codes of Practise

Global Individual processors will implement actions through Codes of Practises to ensure requirements of above standards, where adopted, are implemented.

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Health: Nutritional value Food and Drink Federation - Project Neptune

UK / Global

FDF led initiative in partnership with industry and Food Standards Agency which completed a three-year action plan on salt reduction in 2006. The project saw a reduction in salt in soups by 24.5% and in sauces by 28.8%. No specific mention of fish products.

Food Standards Agency salt reduction targets

UK / Global

Targets for salt reduction 2010 - 2012 for specific product groups inc. (where relevant to fish); ready meals, sandwich fillings (prawn, tuna & other seafood), canned fish (tuna, salmon & other seafood) & take away fish meals.

Industry led initiatives

UK Focused on developing non-fried breaded products as an alternative to deep fried battered products; lower fat content of products & spray oil technology for cooking battered products. Development of frozen, easy to cook fish fillets.

Table 19: Actions undertaken in storage life cycle stage

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: energy consumption

British Frozen Food Federation and Carbon Trust: energy efficiency

UK Report on Improving the energy efficiency of the cold chain which provides evidence that frozen seafood products are often stored well below required -18

oC (with records as low as -25

oC) and that an

increase by 1oC would save 2-3% of total energy consumed.

Industry initiatives to maximise use of storage space

UK led with global scope

Reduction in packaging and product:packaging weight ratio and therefore overall reduction in volume and weight of products. Increase number of products that can be stored in specific volume therefore reduce energy consumption

Use of green energy

EU Individual cases where energy is purchased from renewable sources (predominately wind) and exploration into on site micro renewables is being considered.

Environmental: refrigerant use

Refrigerant use

Health: Quality & handing of temperature controlled products

FAO Global Technical paper on 'Freezing and refrigerated storage in fisheries – handling and code of practise'

Table 20: Actions undertaken at point of sale life cycle stage

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: Processors and retailers

Sourcing criteria UK – mainly large processors & retailers

Development of sourcing criteria and/or decision trees by individual retailers and/or processors for wild capture and aquaculture. Note emphasis at this stage is the act of developing and implementing sourcing criteria and/or policy, not the changes that these make which are covered under Stage 2: production methods.

Certified products

UK Drive towards sourcing certified products which is often a goal of sourcing criteria or causes sourcing criteria to be met in full. Standard sought is MSC or equivalent, noting that Iceland scheme in development.

Environmental: Food service and institutions

Department of Health - Healthier Food Mark

UK Bronze, silver or gold levels awarded to institutions based on criteria for food procurement, catering practice and sustainability. Each level has progressively more challenging criteria on each of these three elements. Application via online self assessment. In relation to fish examples of criteria include:

Bronze: buying food lower in salt, fat and sugars;- promoting consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish and water; buying seafood

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from sustainable sources

Silver: increasing procurement of seafood from sustainable sources

Gold: procurement of seafood from sustainably managed sources

FSA Catering Strategy

UK FSA are working with more than 40 major UK caterers to promote healthier choices. Activities of each company are captured in a commitments document, which has sections on procurement, menu planning, kitchen practice and consumer information and is specific to each company. As part of the small business sectors catering strategy, FSA are producing targeted advice for different „sectors‟.

Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative

UK An initiative under the Government‟s Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. Evidence of progress in relation to fish is stated as: “9 government departments plus NHS Supply Chain source over 80% of their fish from managed sources, including MoD, Dept for Work and Pensions, Dept for Business, BERR, Defra and DCSF who source 100%.”

Food for Life Partnership mark

England For school and community food culture with criteria and awards for schools. In relation to fish, examples of criteria include:

Gold: at least 30% (of fish from) MSC-certified source; source at least 50% of produce locally

Silver: a range of certified organic or MSC-certified items are available on the menu; fish that is on the Marine Conservation Society „Fish to Avoid‟ list

Bronze: use of healthy and sustainable food as a theme for assemblies

MSC Fish & Kids

England Advice to schools on sourcing sustainable fish. Of note it identifies that there is only one foodservice supplier (Brakes) that is able to extend their Chain of Custody to their public sector clients.

Olympic Food Charter

UK Due to produce a Sustainable Sourcing Code in summer 2010.

Environmental: Restaurants

British Skipper Scheme

UK Vessels must be RFS certified, restaurant chefs sign up to the scheme and receive email updates from boats before they land so that they can choose produce. Currently 300 vessels in scheme run by M & J Seafoods.

Defra MSC on the menu

England Assisting restaurants to source certified products and to implement chain if custody.

Environmental: All points of sale

Defra „Guidance on Green Claims‟

UK Practical guidance on how to make a good environmental claim in relation to voluntarily made claims. Specific guidance for claims on aerosols, cleaning products, decorative coatings, growing medias and greeting cards. In relation to use of the word sustainable the guidance states that: “Although sustainability is a widely used term it is not defined by a common methodology when applied to products and hence claims containing the term „sustainability‟ or „sustainable‟ should be avoided.”

ISO 14021: 1999

Global International standard on self declared environmental claims – this is also voluntary.

MSC Chain of Custody

Global Development of online application of Chain of Custody with no requirement for audit visit (NB spot checks are made). This is in development to reduce time and cost associated with obtaining Chain of Custody certification.

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Table 21: Actions undertaken at consumer life cycle stage

Action Scope Objectives and results Generic strategy for health and socio-economics

UK Government Food 2030 Strategy

UK With specific reference to reducing impact fishermen have on environment and managing resources and biodiversity. By 2030 the aim is that consumers will be informed and can choose healthy sustainable food. Commitment to raising awareness of alternative fish species. Provides estimation of weekly consumption from 175-195g (1.25-1.4 portions per week) with evidence that oily fish contribute at least half of consumption. Definition of sustainable seafood classified as products with MSC certification or equivalent.

Cabinet Office: Food matters Strategy

UK Review of progress includes establishment of the Council of Food Policy Advisers and the launch of Change4Life campaign in January 2009. Reference to Fish links with FSA calorie labelling (see choosing healthier options below).

WWF One Planet Food programme

UK This was launched in January 2009 with aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the food economy by 70% by 2050. As part of this WWF and the Food Climate Research Network produced the report „How low can we go?‟ which better estimated the emissions from the food industry by reviewing LCAs from a wide range of foods and provides scope to reduce emissions by 2050. Expansion in fish production to replace other livestock products was not explored due to concerns about sustainability of wild stocks. The report does recognise the potential of developing new aquaculture systems however does not include expansion of consuming aquaculture products due to wild stocks utilised for fishmeal and fish oil.

Sustainable Development Commission

UK Green, Healthy and Fair: review on government‟s role in supporting sustainable supermarket food. In relation to fish main focus is to address conflict between health messages and sustainability and to ensure sustainable sourcing of fish. Setting the Table: advice to government on priority elements with recommendation that only fish from sustainable stocks should be consumed in the UK. Highlights that better advice on sustainable diets, including fish, is required

FSA Strategy 2010-2015

UK Focus on delivering safe local and imported food and healthier food products and catering meals, including improving consumer awareness about healthy eating. For delivery of the strategy 21% of resources (£32million) are allocated to improving consumer understanding and 4% (£6million) are allocated to improving health of food products and catering meals.

Defra Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK

UK Recognises importance of promoting two portions of sustainable fish and potential to promote other fish species stating that “the fishing industry and the Government have a duty to encourage consumers to try sustainable, less well-known types of fish and shellfish. Defra and the devolved Administrations should produce a study evaluating the potential of sustainable aquaculture off the shores of the UK.”

Defra Food Synthesis Review

UK Assessing consumer attitudes, behavioural determinants, key influencers and potential interventions for consumer food choices, adopting a lower impact diet (including buy more certified fish), eating more locally and in season (main focus on fruit and veg), wasting less food and other supply chain factors.

Socio-economic: confidence to eat seafood

Consumer awareness of cooking methods

UK Recipes available online by many processors, distributors and retailers. Information and recipe cards in retail stores.

Endorsement by chefs.

Cooking demonstrations at seafood festivals, food festivals and in retail stores.

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Action Scope Objectives and results Socio-economic: confusion over meaning of sustainability

MCS Fishonline UK (with global

coverage)

Good fish guide – lists fish to eat and fish to avoid, provides fish purchasing guide (for seasonality), and produced Supermarket League Tables

SFP Fish Source

Global International resource with information on stock status, fisheries management and environmental and biodiversity issues. Provided on a fishery basis to allow buyers and consumers to make informed decisions.

MSC Global Global standard for assessing the environmental sustainability of fisheries based on stock status, wider environmental impacts and fisheries management. Recognised as the gold standard for sustainability. Change in logo design to improve recognition with inclusion of text “Certified Sustainable Seafood”.

FSA Eatwell website

UK Eatwell website mentions limiting portions of some species due to heavy metal content “no more than one portion of swordfish, shark or marlin a week”. Furthermore these species are listed under categories of oily fish and whitefish.

FSA Integrated advice to Consumers Project

UK Results of consumer survey. Recommendations to replace the eatwell website and set up an IAC website (with FSA branding) with recipes and comprehensive information on all Government advice and info on health, food safety and the environment. Advice to consumers on sustainable choices of fish is recognised as a current gap with recommendations to develop consumer fish advice and information for inclusion within the IAC website. Promotion of locally sourced food. Note that this may not be appropriate for fish since some sustainable stocks are not yet available locally.

Health: Promotion of eating seafood

FSA 2 a week message

UK Recommendation that 2 portions of fish should be eaten per week, one of which should be oily.

Scottish Government Eat More Fish campaign

Scotland Funding of £300k to increase awareness of health benefits of eating seafood. Predominately for Seafood Scotland to promote consumption to public, school children, retailers and chefs. Also for promoting success of Scottish Conservation Credits Scheme.

MSC Fish & Kids Project

UK Promotion of eating seafood to school children with interactive website and MSC seafood in schools (see Point of Sale).

Seafood festivals and cooking events

UK Seafood Festivals in: Dorset, Cardigan Bay, Hastings, Tarbet, Loch Fyne, 3 harbours (in Edinburgh), Pembrokeshire Fish Week, Falmouth, North East and Whitstable Oyster festivals, Cromer and Sheringham Crab and Lobster festival, Rye Bay Scallop Festival and many more.

SAGB nutritional factsheets, beer mats & posters

UK Nutritional fact sheets for many shellfish species and production of beer mats and posters with nutritional facts to promote seafood festivals.

Health: Choosing healthier options

Food Standards Agency

UK Labelling food with nutritional traffic light system Calorie labelling including the „fish & chips‟ pilot which began in November 2009 with further roll out in March 2010. This encourages fish & chip shops to show number of calories on the menu.

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Table 22: Actions undertaken for packaging at all life cycle stages

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: Energy consumption and emissions

Energy use UK / Global Recycling will reduce the amount of energy required to produce „new‟ packaging. Most seafood packaging does not involve glass (except some pickled products). Some processors and retailers are moving towards ensuring all packaging can be recycled.

Use of raw materials

UK / Global Evidence that some large retailers and processors are moving to using higher proportions of recycled materials in packaging and as a result plastic trays are becoming darker in colour.

BRC /IOP Global Standard

Global Global Standard for packaging and packaging materials

Table 23: Actions undertaken for transport at all life cycle stages

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: Energy consumption and emissions

Industry action UK / Global Economic driver to move from air freight to sea and road freight. Many large processors have made transition, but certain products are still air freighted. Some evidence of road freight using lower impact fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Customer awareness of product origin

UK Promotion of food miles can be misleading since travelling thousands of miles by sea freight has significantly less emissions than travelling hundreds of miles by air freight.

Consumer (passenger cars)

UK Promotion by retailers of shopping on line and home delivery services.

Table 24: Actions undertaken for waste at all life cycle stages

Action Scope Objectives and results Environmental: Marine and fisheries waste

KIMO Fishing for litter

UK, Baltic & Netherlands

Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljøorganisasjon (Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) Fishing for Litter campaign started in Scotland in 2005 and is now being rolled out to rest of UK, Netherland and Baltic. Main action is to provide facilities at ports where fishermen can dispose of litter they bring up while fishing. Scottish fleet fished out 50 tonnes of litter in 2009.

Scotnet Recycling

Scotland Scotnet Recycling has recently been set up in Scotland and offers a free service that takes old netting and other gear such as wooden wire reels from fishermen and finds outlets and markets for the material for recycling.

MCS Litter Project

UK MCS Big Weekend litter survey cleans up beaches and monitors levels of marine litter washed up onto beaches. Latest figures show litter levels in 2009 have increased by 110% since 1994. Most litter not directly linked with seafood production, but fishing gear litter is noted.

Environmental: Packaging waste

Courtauld Commitment I and II

UK Courtauld Commitment is a voluntary agreement to improve resource efficiency in the retail sector - 29 major retailers and brand owners have committed to the agreement. Phase I looked at weight-based targets (e.g. reducing volume and weight of packaging). Phase II focuses on sustainable use of packaging and food waste.

WRAP UK WRAP have produced numerous reports and provide advice to consumers, retailers and Local Authorities including:

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Environmental Benefits of Recycling

Waste Collection Commitment

Guidance to Local Authorities on waste collection

Industry action UK / Global

Voluntary industry action to reduce packing weights year on year and develop closed loop systems for secondary packaging.

Environmental: Food waste

Courtauld Commitment II

UK As above, Phase II focuses effort on reducing food waste.

WRAP UK Love Food Hate Waste Campaign – including tips for reducing waste per food type as well as leftover recipes and practical freezer tips The Food We Waste – report on the volumes of food per product that is wasted annually.

Defra Food Synthesis

UK As per consumer section, provides advice for wasting less food including batch cooking and freezing portions, using left overs and planning shopping trips.

British Frozen Food Federation

UK Report on Cost, waste and taste comparison of frozen food versus fresh food in a consumer market highlighting that considerable less waste from frozen produce.

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review of industry, government and other action to improve...

Documents