Require that all vessels in your supply chain are listed on the Authorized Vessel List of the RFMO where they fish.
Element 1
Category
Transparency
Sub-Category
Buyer Commitment / Requirement
Category Guidance
All purchases must be from vessels listed on the authorized vessel record of the RFMO governing the ocean area in which the tuna was caught, at the time of the fishing trip, so long as the vessel is of a size subject to listing in the RFMO authorized vessel record.
If Company sources from vessels not registered with an RFMO, it must provide supporting evidence (such as National vessel registries, copies of vessel licenses, etc.) to demonstrate effectiveness of procurement screening system.
Means of Verification
Review (i) quarterly reports submitted under 1.2.1 and (ii) company’s system to ensure that purchases are from properly listed vessels. If the company sources from vessels not registered with an RFMO, auditor reviews additional evidence that vessel was exempt from RFMO listing and legally authorized to fish during the audit period. The traceability exercises, reviewing RFMO vessel records and checking ocean areas where vessels are fishing, further verifies the system.
If quarterly reports are somehow unavailable, then the company asks suppliers to provide a list of all vessels, and corresponding regions, sourced from. Then cross references vessels on that list against RFMO authorized vessel records.
Suggested Frequency
Annually
Element 2
Category
Transparency
Sub-Category
Buyer Commitment / Requirement
Category Guidance
All purchases must be from vessels flagged to a member or cooperating non-member (CNM) of the relevant RFMO or that have applied with the RFMO for either status. If membership is not possible under the RFMO Convention, companies shall conduct transactions only with those vessels that are flagged to Invited Experts, or another approved designation, to any such RFMO.
Means of Verification
Review (i) quarterly reports submitted under 1.2.1 and (ii) company’s system to ensure that purchases are from properly listed vessels. If the company sources from vessels not registered with an RFMO, auditor reviews additional evidence that vessel was exempt from RFMO listing and legally authorized to fish during the audit period. The traceability exercises, reviewing RFMO vessel records and checking ocean areas where vessels are fishing, further verifies the system.
If quarterly reports are somehow unavailable, then the company asks suppliers to provide a list of all vessels, and corresponding regions, sourced from. Then cross references vessels on that list against RFMO authorized vessel records.
Suggested Frequency
Annually
