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I have a special affection for tuna. I wrote my thesis on how to legally protect the Bluefin. Overfishing is a complicated situation fraught with geo-political issues. The bluefin is undeniably a money maker. However, it is a fact that the oceans of the world are being depleted of fish-stock largely due to over-fishing as well as illegal fishing and improper allocation of resources among stakeholders. As a result, this has become a key matter of CSR for companies dealing with seafood.
When it comes to tuna, experts agree that pole and line caught skipjack tuna is the most sustainable form. According to a Greenpeace report, the most sustainable UK brands include Sainburys, Co-op and Marks & Spencers. Endorsing sustainable fishing goes a long way towards protecting declining fish-stocks.
Greenpeace has been a long-term critic of John West (a UK based seafood marketer) which has been criticized in the past for its use of purse seines, a particularly destructive fishing method. However the two have joined hands to kick off a new sustainability program. Two days ago, the company announced a staged programme to source 100% of tuna sold in the UK by 2016 using properly audited pole and line techniques, as well as to sourcefrom fleets that pledge not to use fish aggregating devices (FADs).
Paul Reenan, managing director of John West, explained that the new target includes stringent demands on its suppliers. He said,
"The launch of our genuine transparent and detailed plan for tuna sustainability marks a step change in our business. We will need full support of boat owners, retailers and consumers to meet our goals."
John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, welcomed the commitment as setting a benchmark for the rest of the industry. He was quoted saying:
"Historic changes have taken place in the UK, the world's second largest consumer of tuna. The time is ripe for companies worldwide to deliver sustainable tuna in a way that protects tuna stocks and our oceans."
No other phenomenon demonstrates the tragedy of commons better than the mismanagement of world's oceans. According to the FAO global fish consumption is set to grow at least 2% per year. But this increase in consumption patterns cannot be supported for very long in the face of depleting ocean stocks. Therefore every small effort taken to preserve ocean biodiversity is a good move both ecologically and commercially.
Akhila is the Founding Director of GreenDen Consultancy which is dedicated to offering business analysis, reporting and marketing solutions powered by sustainability and social responsibility. Based in the US, Europe, and India, the GreenDen's consultants share the best practices and innovation from around the globe to achieve real results. She has previously written about CSR and ethical consumption for Justmeans and hopes to put a fresh spin on things for this column. As an IEMA certified CSR practitioner, she hopes to highlight a new way of doing business. She believes that consumers have the immense power to change 'business as usual' through their choices. She is a Graduate in Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow, UK and in Environmental Management and Law. In her free-time she is a voracious reader and enjoys photography, yoga, travelling and the great outdoors. She can be contacted via Twitter @aksvi and also http://www.thegreenden.net