At a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in New York City, Thai Union committed to the WEF’s Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration. The Declaration supports the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted by all 193 Heads of State via a UN Resolution in September 2015 at a United Nations summit.

“At Thai Union, we recognize that tuna is not just a product, it’s a vital source of nourishment or employment for at least one billion people across the globe,” said Darian McBain, Ph.D., Thai Union’s global director for sustainable development, during a panel of seafood industry leaders hosted by the WEF. “As an industry leader, it is our responsibility to work with other stakeholders to ensure that tuna is sustainably caught, processed and brought to market.”

The Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration has been endorsed by leaders of the world’s biggest retailers, tuna processors, marketers, traders and harvesters, with the support of influential civil society organizations and governments. The entities endorsing the Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration have committed to concrete actions and partnerships to demonstrate their commitment to implement the Declaration and Action Agenda.

Last year, Thai Union announced an ambitious $90m strategy to ensure 100 percent of its branded tuna is sustainably sourced with a commitment of achieving a minimum of 75 percent by 2020. As part of the new tuna strategy, Thai Union is investing in initiatives that will increase the supply of sustainable tuna. This includes establishing 11 new Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) around the world. A FIP is a program to transform a fishery, ensuring sustainable fish stocks, minimized environmental impacts, and improved management of the fishery.

McBain continued, “Traceability is a powerful tool to promote sustainability and help solve some of the industry’s most intractable challenges, from ending Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices to ensuring that our fisheries are healthy for future generations.”