Post on 30-Jul-2015
Meeting the Challenges to Certification, Traceability and Consumer Awareness A view from the Global South
The panel
Certification: Challenges from North to South Geoff Bolan, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Status of traceability between the Global North and South: Why the disparity? What levers to improve? Momo Kochen, Masyarakat dan Perikanan, Indonesia (MDPI) Insights from Other Commodities Jo-anne McCrea, WWF Australia.
What are the challenges?
Meeting the Challenges to Certification, Traceability and Consumer Awareness: A view from the Global South
Simon Bush Associate Professor, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
SeaWeb Seafood Summit 9-11 Feb, 2015 New Orleans
International seafood trade
Growing middle class in the global ‘fishbowl’ of Asia
From global to regional markets EU import 65% and US 91% of what is consumed. Gives leverage – but also makes these markets vulnerable.
FAO 2014
Convergence of import volumes
Certification has emerged in response to over and under regulation
Public and private information requirements are expanding throughout value chains
Producers are faced with meeting requirements with varied levels of reward
Consumers are faced with increased choice – but edited by retailers and brands
Governing sustainable seafood
Producer
Consumer
Retailer
Exporter
Asymmetrical power
relations
Who makes the grade?
Producer/harvester capabilities Cost, literacy, organisational issues
Self-selection Danger of not focusing on those with larger (potential) sustainability gains
Demonstrating data and management Reliance on public and private sources of information to show improvement and/or ‘good’ practices
Networks of support in place Reliance on intermediaries to improve – which comes with cost
0
Impr
ovem
ent
Certification threshold
Post-certification Pre-certification
88% global fisheries production
12% global fisheries production
No. of fisheries
Bush and Oosterveer (2015) 7(2), 1861-1883, Sustainability
Credibility
Accessibility Continual improvement
‘Devil’s triangle’
A careful balancing act
Developing world
fisheries?
Best performing fisheries?
Untenable?
Bush et al (2013), Marine Policy
Informational needs and challenges
? ? ?
?
Eco-certification and IUU regulation driving new and existing information demands
Increased demand on states with limited capacity
Increasing involvement of private actors – companies and NGOs
But is information also flowing back to fish producers and harvesters?
What role for traceability?
Public regimes Private networks
Hybrid arrangements Setting transparency requirements in support
of certification and IUU related market access.
Can market demand drive change?
Difference between supply of certified production and (current) market demand for sustainable aquaculture
Bush et al 2013, Science 341: 1067-68
New trends ... and challenges
National standards Lower cost, greater inclusion, a ‘national’ social contract?
Industrial coalitions Will they go for certification or claim sustainability otherwise?
Industry-led benchmarking Driving harmonisation or equivalency? What will be the consequences for national standards?
What are the key challenges?
• What differences between developed and developing economies?
• What roles do government and industry play in implementing these systems?
• What solutions can be identified to from other commodities?
• Which systems are most appropriate for supporting improved fisheries management practices?