The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has launched the first-ever ocean science-based targets, starting with seafood, at the Seafood Expo North America.
According to SBTN, the ocean science-based targets are designed to help companies go beyond traditional sustainability commitments to tackle habitat loss, overfishing and marine biodiversity decline, while strengthening long-term supply chain resilience.
Ocean ecosystems are under immense pressure. The UN says that marine pollution is reaching extreme levels, with over 17 million metric tonnes clogging the ocean in 2021, a figure set to double or triple by 2040. Oceans are now 30% more acidic than in pre-industrial times, threatening the survival of marine life and disrupting global food supplies, and decades of irresponsible exploitation have led to an alarming level of degradation in fisheries.
“With the first ocean science-based targets for seafood, companies now have a globally recognised framework to scale action across land, freshwater and ocean. These targets help companies move beyond incremental change, strengthening marine ecosystems, supply chain resilience and long-term viability,” Erin Billman, executive director of the Science Based Targets Network, said.
SBTN’s ocean targets were developed under the leadership of World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International, with support from a steering committee including the Marine Stewardship Council, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, FishWise, UNEP FI, The Nature Conservancy and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
By taking a more comprehensive approach, companies “can move past incremental improvements” to support healthy ecosystems and stable fish stocks, SBTN said, extending their efforts to drive meaningful environmental and social improvement across the full seafood value chain.
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Aquaculture company, Musholm, acted as a pilot company for SBTN to trial its ocean science-based targets. Vice managing director, Thorbjørn Harkamp, said the targets “provide crucial support for seafood companies looking to future-proof their business”, recognising their dependence on healthy marine ecosystems to thrive now and in the future.
“Through SBTN’s target-setting methods, we mapped our nature impacts – directly through our fish farming, and indirectly through our supply chain – to set meaningful goals for nature-positive action. This ambitious and comprehensive process has driven motivation for change across our business, and we hope to lead a way for others to follow.”
Dr Sarah Glaser, senior director at the World Wildlife Fund, added: “Over the past twenty years, seafood companies that have made meaningful efforts to engage in sustainability commitments have enabled improvements in fishing and farming practices. The SBTN targets provide an additional framework to identify impact across entire seafood portfolios and value chains, providing opportunities to integrate and expand efforts that translate to change on the water.”
