SEA DELIGHT LLC ANNUAL REPORT

Oct 1, 2018 to Oct 30, 2019

 Introduction

In 2012, Sea Delight LLC began to expand its growing reputation for industry leadership in food safety to begin the process to strengthen the business’s commitment to responsibly sourced seafood, to develop and maintain robust traceability systems and to document and share the story behind Sea Delight’s involvement with fishery improvement efforts. More recently Sea Delight LLC has been a leader in encouraging change in our suppliers’ vision of Social Responsibility in the workplaces that produce Sea Delight products and the fisheries that supply them. Sea Delight’s work has also expanded to include the publication of an Annual Report giving a robust annual seafood data analysis for its U.S, business, as well as reporting on traceability and social responsibility work streams.

Sea Delight remains committed to direct involvement in ongoing and new fishery improvement projects (FIPs) and the company has a recognized role as a stakeholder in multiple responsible fishery efforts. These efforts include but are not limited to; Mexico grouper, Ecuador mahi-mahi, Peru mahi-mahi, Indonesia yellowfin tuna, Indonesia snapper & grouper, Vietnam yellowfin tuna, Vietnam Handline Swordfish and 3 new projects in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic as well as blue swimming crab in Indonesia. The crab project is supported by Sea Delight’s entry into full membership in the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council in 2019.

 Sea Delight’s commitment and effort is integral to achieving the objectives and milestones outlined within the FIP action plans, and in some instances, moving fisheries towards full assessment for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification (The Ecuador Mahi Mahi FIP entered MSC Assessment in March 2019).

 Included in this report is Sea Delight’s annual progress towards meeting the measurable goals and commitments within its’ Sustainable Seafood Policy and Traceability Policy and the revised policies for 2020. The policies are used by Sea Delight to guide purchasing decisions, determine involvement in fishery improvement projects, assess and mitigate risk, and maintain the company’s position as a leader in the sustainable, responsibly sourced, seafood movement.

 The 2017-2018 Sea Delight annual report is divided into 4 main sections:

• Highlights of 2018-2019 sustainability achievements

• Sustainable seafood, traceability and social responsibility policies and progress

• Measurable Goals

• Analysis of 2018/2019 Sea Delight LLC sourcing data

2018 – 2019 Sustainability and Social Responsibility Highlights

2018/2019 Responsible Seafood Sourcing

86% of Sea Delight U.S. products were responsibly sourced*, in compliance with our 2017/2018 Measurable Goals

* Responsibly Sourced: Seafood products that are certified to an environmental sustainability standard benchmarked and recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) , or sourced from credible, time-bound improvement projects, including FIPs that meet independent 3rd party standards for progress and/or from fisheries or production rated as either Green ‘Best Choices’ or Yellow ‘Good Alternatives’ by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program

Leadership

• Sea Delight representatives attended 6 SFP Seafood Roundtables/functions: Global Tuna (SENA) also gave presentation on Advocacy Work with WCPFC, Eastern Pacific Large Pelagics (SENA), Mexico Seafood, Indonesia Snapper (SENA), the Target 75 Luncheon and Global Octopus 

• Sea Delight representatives participated in 5 SFP Webinars: Global Octopus, Indonesian Snapper and Grouper, The SFP EDF Climate Change Webinar, Global Tuna and IOTC Engagement

•  Sea Delight LLC became a member of IPNLF and continued its membership in the Indonesian AP2HI

•  Sea Delight representative named as finalist for Seaweb Summit Seafood Champion Award

•  Sea Delight also led the data collection, site visits and 1st draft writing for development of a FIP pre-assessment for a new fishery located in the Western Atlantic

Presentations and Speaking Engagements

• Sea Delight representative addresses the commission on swordfish and mahi management at the WCPFC Annual Meeting. Dec. 2019

• Sea Delight gives presentation on WCPFC advocacy to SFP Tuna Seafood Roundtable at SENS. March 2019

• Sea Delight gives presentation on the industry role in RFMO advocacy to the Japan Pre-Summit Sustainability Workshop. Bangkok June 2019

• Sea Delight gives stakeholder orientation presentation on the VN Swordfish FIP to fishing community of Tam Quan Bac, Vietnam as part of WWF and VINATUNA C Hook distribution meeting. June 2019

• Sea Delight gives presentation promoting fishery the use of C hooks and onboard logbooks to Vietnam Handline Swordfish meeting and MOU signing ceremony. Binh Dinh, Vietnam July 2019

Traceability

• Sea Delight tuna suppliers in Vietnam followed the VN Tuna FIP traceability system and cooperated with the VINATUNA Vietnam Tuna FIP Traceability audit in August 2019

• As an ongoing Working Group 1 member of the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST) Sea Delight supported the GDST in creating approved Key Data Elements (KDEs) for an interoperable traceability system.

• Sea Delight inspired the winning team at The GDST Traceability Hackathon held in June 2019 in Bangkok. Using the Sea Delight-designed Photo Observer App “COPPA”. IT experts created a “Photographic Protocol App” called “Blueprint” that solved problems relating to establishing and verifying important traceability Key Data Elements.

• The COPPA Crew Observer Photographic Application sea trials were completed in October 2019 and will be used to expand catch and traceability data collection in the VN tuna fishery in 2020

• Sea Delight has designed and tested a new traceability system for the VIETNAM Handline Swordfish FIP. The concept was approved by VINATUNA in Oct. 2019

• Sea Delight began planning projects with a major traceability technology vendor to begin using their traceability system in 3 fisheries targeting 3 different species. The system will be compatible with the GDST Interoperable Universal Traceability KDEs

Reform and Advocacy

• Signed the IPNLF Position Statement to ICCAT advocating tuna management reform. November 2019

• Sea Delight attends the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting, as an observer, in Honolulu Hawaii and advocates the development of a harvest strategy for North Pacific swordfish and pan pacific mahi. Planning mid-2019, attending meeting, Dec. 2019

• Submitted an “Industry Suggestion Letter” to the assembled WCPFC Commission advocating North Pacific Swordfish and pacific mahi management measures. Dec. 2019

• Signed the SFP Global NGO Tuna Forum Engagement Letter advocating reform of tuna management measures to RFMO’s worldwide. Feb. 2019

• Signed the SFP Mahi Seafood Round Table Support Letter for COREMAHI. May 2019

• Signed the SFP Global Mahi Support Letter calling on states and RFMOs to implement mahi research and management

• Sent an Official Letter form Sea Delight to the WCPFC Northern Committee urging the formal adoption of a Harvest Strategy for NP swordfish (this was approved and the Harvest Strategy formalized in December 2019 at the WCPF annual meeting) 

• Signed the WWF VN/VINATUNA Advocacy Letter to the Director of the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Resource Development (MARD) advocating revision and ongoing improvement of tuna and ETP species management

• Regularly presented sustainability updates to its customers through a monthly e-newsletter on the Sea Delight website

Social Responsibility

•  Sea Delight, through its membership in the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI), supported the ongoing partnership of GSSI with the Consumer Goods Forum Sustainable Supply Chain initiative to create a benchmark and recognition tool for Social Compliance schemes.

•  Sea Delight set a standard for all approved processors supplying seafood products to Sea Delight to be SEDEX/SMETA, AMFORI, BSCI, SA8000 or equivalent inspected and approved.

•  Researched FIPs and supplier fisheries fishing fleet status for the freedom from the worst forms of child labor and forced labor. October 2019

•  Developed the Fishery Social Responsibility and Labor at Sea – In-House Audit Form as part of the Supplier Information Form, October 219. This form is to be sent to all Sea Delight suppliers and returned completed by the end of April 2020

Marketing Outreach

• Regularly presented sustainability updates and activity reports on the Sea Delight public website and monthly e-newsletter.

Sustainable Seafood Policy & Progress

Sea Delight was one of the first seafood distributors in North America to develop a comprehensive sustainability policy. The policy reflects Sea Delight’s longstanding responsible seafood practices and provides a framework to maintain a high level of performance over time. Importantly, the policy outlines specific, measurable goals that Sea Delight can track progress against annually. The full version of Sea Delight’s sustainability policy, as it appears on the Sea Delight website, is shown below:

1. Sea Delight is committed to ensuring seafood remains a secure resource for future generations to enjoy.

2. We use our buying power and position in the seafood industry to employ and promote responsible practices globally. Our own principles, including strategic sourcing and research, leverage positive change in our suppliers and customers.

3. Our informed choices are strengthened by establishing transparency in our supply chains and collecting data so we can eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) seafood from our supply. We are active participants in the US NOAA SIMP mandatory anti-IUU traceability program. We educate our employees, suppliers, and customers by sharing supply chain and traceability information to tell the story of the products we offer and to help create a more conscious industry.

4. We extend our commitment beyond our own practices and across commercial, governmental, and civil sectors. We engage in advocacy, education, and direct investment through the funding of and participation in fishery improvement projects (FIPs). These FIPs improve the environmental, economic, and social aspects of fisheries and communities across the world.

Our sustainable seafood policy is the foundation for Sea Delight’s future business and is intended to inspire positive change throughout the seafood industry. The following outlines how this policy is put into action:

Sourcing Strategy

Environmentally responsible seafood is fished or farmed in a way that safeguards future seafood supplies while minimizing impacts on surrounding ecosystems. Sea Delight preferentially sources and sells environmentally responsible seafood and aims to increase the percentage of products offered from fisheries and farms that improve environmental performance over time. Sea Delight relies on the following to assess seafood purchases:

1. GSSI-benchmarked eco-certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council, Marine Eco-Label Japan, Global GAP, Best Aquaculture Practices and Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

2. Transparent presentation of information on credible progress of FIPs available through internationally recognized websites such as Fishery Progress.org, the SFP Fish Source website and the WWF Indonesia website.

3. Sustainability ratings of credible independent bodies such as Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise, and SeaChoice.

Sea Delight does not require products be certified but requires products to meet Sea Delight criteria for food safety, quality, improvement of responsible practice and social responsibility If eco-certifications are available, all relevant certification information is documented. Sea Delight also preferentially sources products from FIPs that are rated “C” or higher on the Fishery Progress.org website.

Data Collection, Assessment and Reporting

Sea Delight works closely with suppliers to collect detailed information needed to assess the sustainability of seafood products procured and sold by the company. Specific information collected includes, but is not limited to:

• Common and scientific names

• Country of origin, FAO fishing area, and region of catch

• Wild or farmed designation

• Fishing gears or aquaculture production methods used

• Producers and/or processors

• Volume of product purchased

• Eco-certification (MSC, MEL, GAP, BAP, ASC, etc.)

• Supporting documentation for FIPs (e.g. action plan, timeline, budget, progress report, etc.)

Sea Delight conducts regular reviews to assess and monitor this data and to create an evaluation framework to track milestones and impacts over time. This analysis also helps identify species/products suitable for targeted improvement and/or promotion.

 Sea Delight is committed to providing customers with credible sustainability information regarding its seafood products and to providing a summary of the company’s sustainability progress annually. Furthermore, Sea Delight continuously improves company systems to trace seafood back to its harvest location and to ensure the legality of seafood product.

Fisheries Improvement

Sea Delight is committed to supporting and improving its source fisheries through a variety of actions, including:

• Creation of FIPs for source fisheries

• Direct implementation of FIP activities

• Financial contribution to FIPs

• Employing on-the-ground staff to coordinate FIP activities

• Working with Sea Delight suppliers to improve fishery practices, social responsibility and overall fishery performance

Reform and Advocacy

 Sea Delight believes that making internal improvements to its supply chains are an effective way to generate reform within the seafood industry. Improvement areas include data collection, traceability systems, reporting, and supplier engagement. Whenever possible, Sea Delight will advocate legitimate efforts to strengthen fisheries policy and management to improve environmental and social outcomes.

Education

Sea Delight trains employees on seafood sustainability, social responsibility and fishery improvement efforts so staff may confidently assist customers in selecting environmentally responsible seafood. Sea Delight is committed to working with suppliers in its supply chain to improve fishery practice through training, workshops, video productions, and educational materials.

Partnership

Sea Delight actively engages all stakeholders to improve the sustainability of its seafood supply. Sea Delight partners with multiple NGOs and organizations to address different aspects of seafood sustainability. Sea Delight currently partners with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), CeDePesca, and IPNLF to work on-the-ground with suppliers for the improvement of source fisheries. Sea Delight is also engaged in an active role as contributing members of the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST) and the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI). Sea Delight also works closely with the Vietnam Tuna Association (VINATUNA) in supporting the work of the Vietnam Handline and Longline Tuna FIP and the Vietnam Handline Swordfish FIP. This work included the July 2019 production of the short documentary video “Lines of Change” (production costs shared by IPNLF). The video tells the story of how a discovery of better way of catching yellowfin tuna led to the fishery converting from longline fishing to 100% handline fishing.

Our Measurable Goals for 2019/2020

1. Sea Delight will source 85% of its seafood, at minimum, from fisheries meeting the definition of “responsibly sourced*”.

2. Sea Delight will publicly support a minimum of 5 reform and advocacy activities on an annual basis.

3. Sea Delight will provide a publicly available summary of the company’s sustainability and social responsibility progress on an annual basis.

* Responsibly Sourced: Seafood products that are certified to an environmental sustainability standard benchmarked and recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) , or sourced from credible, time-bound improvement projects, including FIPs that meet independent 3rd party standards for progress and/or from fisheries or production rated as either Green ‘Best Choices’ or Yellow ‘Good Alternatives’ by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program

Our Performance Against the Measurable Goals Set for 2018/2019

Through continued collaboration with seafood industry stakeholders, conservation groups, and certification bodies, Sea Delight remains committed to its sustainable, responsibly sourced, seafood and traceability policies, helping drive source fisheries towards a more sustainable future.

Traceability and Social Responsibility Policy & Progress

In 2018, Sea Delight publicly released its 2018/2019 Traceability Policy as part of Sea Delight’s continuous effort to improve the quality, integrity, and environmental responsibility of its products. The Traceability Policy reflects Sea Delight’s commitment to improving traceability and transparency throughout its supply chains and the broader seafood industry. The traceability and social responsibility goals Sea Delight is working towards further strengthen the company’s Sustainable Seafood Policy. The full version of the 2019/2020 Traceability and Social Responsibility Policy, as it will appear on the Sea Delight website, is shown below.

 Sea Delight recognizes the importance of traceability and social responsibility in seafood supply chains for verifying the legality, integrity, and quality of our products. We are dedicated to continually improving our traceability practices for more robust tracking of products from the source to our customers. We are also actively working with our suppliers to ensure they are part of traceable, transparent, responsibly sourced and legal supply chains. Our suppliers must be able to share documentation to demonstrate legality, social responsibility and traceability to the source when requested. We are committed to transparency in our practices and will report publicly on our progress towards this policy annually.

Traceability Commitment 2019/2020:

Sea Delight will continue working towards industry best practices in traceability including standardized data collection for seafood products, supply chain traceability demonstrations, and engagement in multi-stakeholder traceability dialogues and initiatives. We will publicly report on our annual progress regarding these efforts. Specific time-bound goals for Sea Delight include:

1. Continue to improve data collection by building upon work underway with our tuna, mahi mahi, swordfish, crab and snapper sources by December 31, 2020.

2. Secure MSC Chain of Custody certification for Sea Delight LLC by December 31, 2020.

3. Encourage collaboration within the seafood industry to promote interoperability of traceability systems.

4. Actively track developments of important emerging topics related to traceability, and anti-IUU measures on an ongoing basis.

Social Responsibility

1. Sea Delight will continue to require a commitment to social responsibility from all processors providing our products including providing transparent documentation of progress towards credible social responsibility 3rd party verification against recognized international standards such as SEDEX/SMETA, AMFORI, BSCI, SA8000 or other programs recognized by the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative. 

2. Sea Delight will publicly support the efforts of international, government, public, non-governmental and private organizations currently working to establish a credible international 3rd party verification standard for assessing labor rights and social responsibility onboard fishing vessels in both large scale industrial fisheries and small-scale community-based fisheries.

3. Sea Delight will continue to collect and track key information on each supplier’s responsible sourcing of products and social responsibility in the processing facility and at the source of raw material.

Progress Against the 2018/2019 Traceability and Social Responsibility Commitments:

2018/2019 Data Analysis

In-depth analyses were conducted on Sea Delight’s entire 2017 product portfolio. Data elements collected included:

• Product code, description, & volume in 2017

• Species common & scientific name

• Harvest country & region (FAO area)

• Wild/farmed production & harvest method

• Fishery improvement project information

• Certification type & chain of custody numbers

All Sea Delight seafood products are assessed against the following 3 indicators of environmental performance:

1. Sustainability Certifications:

GSSI benchmarked sustainability certification schemes assess fisheries or farms against environmental, social responsibility and traceability factors. Certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council, Marine Eco-Label Japan, Global GAP, Best Aquaculture Practices and Aquaculture Stewardship Council provide customers with assurance about the source of the seafood products they chose.

2. Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs):

FIPs are multi-stakeholder projects to improve the environmental sustainability of a fishery. The scope of a FIP can either be ‘comprehensive,’ addressing the full range of environmental challenges for a fishery to achieve a high level of sustainability, or ‘basic’, addressing specific environmental challenges.

3. Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Ratings:

The Seafood Watch program analyzes seafood sources worldwide and uses a simple “traffic light” system to indicate to buyers and consumers which seafood products are recommended; Green rated ‘Best Choice’, Yellow rated ‘Good Alternative’, or Red rated ‘Avoid’. 

The results of the data analysis outlined within the Annual Report provides insight into the overall sustainability of Sea Delight’s inventory and the importance of certified sustainable, FIP-sourced and Seafood Watch rated products to the company.

Sea Delight Data Analysis