Top 2023 news stories selected by Seafood Legacy Times editorial team in 5

Looking back at the fishing industry in 2023, many previously unforeseen events have occurred, including the failure to report the Oma bluefin tuna catch in February, the highest sea water temperature on record in August, and the initial auction price of saury at 2 yen per fish.

Among them, the Seafood Legacy Times editorial team has independently selected five turning points that had a major impact on the sustainable seafood movement. Why not take a look back at 5 with these recommended articles?

1. A first in Japan and the world! Ainan Fisheries Cooperative obtains BAP certification for red sea bream (March)

BAP (Best Aquaculture Practice) certification is internationally recognized along with ASC certification as a certification that ensures the sustainability of aquaculture. In March 2023, the first case in Japan and the world of red sea bream aquaculture was obtained by Yasutaka Suisan Co., Ltd., a red sea bream farmer affiliated with the Ainan Fisheries Cooperative (Ehime Prefecture), and Hamasui Co., Ltd., a seafood processing company, in collaboration with each other.

International certification is positioned as an advantage when exporting to Europe and the United States, but Mr. Okada, head of the sales promotion department of the fisheries cooperative, commented on the background to obtaining the certification, saying that for Ainan Town, which has a thriving fishing industry and is also enthusiastic about sustainability efforts, "obtaining certification and taking action is a must in order to work as a sustainable local industry."

Recommended articles:
The world's first red sea bream to receive BAP certification - what's behind it?
The first in the world and Japan to receive this certification! What are the strengths of BAP certification? We asked the person in charge in Japan.

2. Release of treated water from TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant begins (August)

After the release of the contaminated treated water began, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Russia began banning or restricting the import of Japanese seafood products. In particular, China completely suspended the import of Japanese seafood products in August when the release began, and continues to do so as of December 8.

As a result, Japan's fishing industry has been affected in various ways and has had to respond. This has led to large subsidies from the government, and for example, scallops, which are the most widely exported to China, are actively promoted both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, all of Hokkaido's scallop fisheries are MSC certified, and their certification was renewed in 2023.

It is hoped that this consumption campaign will not simply be a means to promote consumption, but will serve as a catalyst for spreading the word about sustainable seafood, and that it will also be used as an opportunity to improve the sustainability and responsibility of other domestic fish species during this restricted period, and to create a tool for exporting to other markets such as Europe and the United States.

3. TNFD framework released (September)

The Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) is a framework for companies to disclose the impacts and dependencies of their operations on nature, as well as the risks and countermeasures they are taking.

It can be used by any business type, industry, or scale of business, and the disclosure targets include marine areas.Blue EconomyWith the increasing attention being paid to sustainability, it is expected that the use of the TNFD will make it easier for companies working on sustainability to receive investment and financing, which will hasten the realization of nature positivity.Nissui issues first TNFD report　

Recommended articles:The next step in fisheries sustainability seen through the use of TNFD

4. Corporate seafood sustainability initiatives pick up pace

In 2023, many fisheries and fisheries-related companies are also expected to formulate procurement policies, understand the current state of fisheries resources, and set goals to achieve fisheries sustainability.
-FOOD & LIFE COMPANIES: Formulating basic procurement policy
-Hilton: Japan, Korea and Micronesia regions reach global goal of 25% sustainable seafood sourcing
-Nichirei Group: Formulating Sustainable Seafood Procurement Guidelines
-Kyokuyo: Group's Fisheries Resource Survey
-Mitsui & Co. Seafoods Announces Seafood Procurement Policy　な ど

In 2023, the company will also be included in the World Benchmarking Alliance's ranking of the most influential seafood companies' sustainability initiatives.Seafood Stewardship Index 3rd Editionwas published. It is used as a reference material for financial institutions when making investments and loans, but there are still quite a few items for which Japanese companies lack information for scoring. These evaluations and attention from around the world are not intended to bash companies, but to support their efforts, and companies will continue to be required to actively disclose information about their efforts.

5. EU issues ordinance on disclosure of ESG information by fisheries companies, and amends common fisheries policy (January, November)

The EU, which has the world's largest seafood market, has made a move that will likely have an impact on Japan in the future. First, in MayCorporate Sustainability Reporting DirectorThe Act requires large and listed companies to disclose social and environmental risks and opportunities, as well as the impact of their business on people and the environment. As this law also applies to fisheries and fishery-related companies, in the future Japanese fisheries companies doing business with the EU will also be required to disclose information.
In addition, Common Fisheries PolicyThe amendments to the Convention strengthen measures to prevent overfishing, improve traceability, and deter IUU fishing by making it mandatory for all EU fishing vessels to install VMS and requiring recreational fishing of certain fish species to electronically record and report catches.

In 2024, the movement is likely to move forward even further in Japan, with the first review of the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Act since its implementation. At Seafood Legacy Times, we hope to continue sharing the movement with you through our articles and columns next year and to build it together. We hope you will continue to read our magazine!