Monterey Framework

The seafood industry has been committed to environmental sustainability for decades, but fishing and aquaculture persist as a violation of the human rights of workers, local and indigenous peoples, often accompanied by other serious problems such as traditional inequalities such as racism, sexism, classism and xenophobia, undermining food and livelihood security, and loss of access rights for indigenous peoples and local communities.

In 2017, environmental activists, human and labor rights advocates, academics, and industry representatives met in Monterey, California, to define socially responsible seafood as "Monterey FrameworkThe Monterey Framework is based on three main principles that address civil, political, ecological, social and cultural human rights.

Principle 1: Protect human rights, dignity and access to resources
Principle 2: Ensure equality and equal opportunity
Principle 3: Improve food and livelihood security

These principles are the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (English) (Japanese) and FAO's Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries* (EnglishThe UN Security Council resolution 2017 is based on international laws, policies and treaties, including the UN Security Council resolution 2017.

The Monterey Framework is the basis for companies to assess the potential impacts on human and labor rights in their supply chains. According to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, companies must assess, mitigate and remediate all direct or adverse impacts on people and communities in their supply chains. The Monterey Framework is specific to the seafood industry and shows how social responsibility in seafood is fulfilled.

This was developed into "Social Responsibility Assessment (SRA) ToolThe SRA is a tool used to collect and assess data on human rights and labor risks in supply chains, including fisheries, aquaculture farms, and processing facilities, and puts the theory of the Monterey Framework into practical use.

Used as a common definition of "socially responsible seafood" and as part of a comprehensive human rights due diligence process, the Monterey Framework can help companies initiate or continue efforts to improve socio-economic and labor conditions in their seafood supply chains.

writing:
Ashley Apel, Director, Partnerships & Strategy, Conservation International
Emilie Carroll, Manager, Food & Agriculture, LRQA
Nahla Achi, Social Responsibility Senior Project Manager, FishWise