High Liner - SeaChoice

Sustainability Commitment. High Liner’s website states that its commitment is to source all its seafood from “sustainable or responsible sources of supply.” For wild products, this means (in priority order): (1) MSC certified or undergoing full MSC assessment ASMI/RFM or Iceland IRF, (2) in a comprehensive FIP, (3) Seafood Watch Green or Yellow, and (4) Ocean Wise Recommended. For farmed products, this means (in priority order): (1) ASC certified or undergoing full ASC assessment, (2) BAP certified, (3) in a comprehensive AIP, (4) Seafood Watch Green or Yellow, and (5) Ocean Wise Recommended (personal communication, J. Austin, 06/03/2023). High Liner intends to announce a timeline for achieving its commitment sometime in 2023. Finally, High Liner has a full chain traceability policy that applies to all its products (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

Clear Objectives

Supplier Expectations

Traceability Policy

Reporting on Activities

Social Responsibility Commitment. High Liner’s commitment to social responsibility is based around its Supplier Code of Conduct which is informed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). High Liner is also a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX), which serves as a tool that the company uses to analyze ethical and responsible business practices throughout its supply chain (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

Step Scores

1 Commitment on sustainable seafood

Does the grocer have comprehensive seafood commitments?

2 Colecting Data

Does the grocer collect data to support its commitment?

3 Responsible Sourcing

Does the grocer make responsible sourcing decisions?

4 Transparency

Is the grocer transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

5 Education

Does the grocer educate key stakeholders about the importance of its seafood commitments?

6 Supporting System Improvements

Does the grocer take initiative to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

Notes

In the process of developing this profile SeaChoice corresponded with: (1) Bill DiMento, VP of Corporate Sustainability and Public Affairs, (2) Josh Austin, Senior Manager, Sustainability, at High Liner Foods. and (3) Heather Sadusky, Partnership Program Director at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

Step Scores

1 Commitments

Does the brand have comprehensive seafood commitments?

2 Collecting Data

Is the brand collecting data to support its commitment?

3 Responsible Sourcing

Is the brand making responsible sourcing decisions?

4 Transparency

Is the brand transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

5 Education

Does the brand educate key stakeholders about its seafood commitments?

6 Taking Initiative

Does the brand take actions to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

Notes

Step 1: Commitment

1 Commitment

Does the brand have comprehensive seafood commitments?

1.1 The brand has a publicly available commitment on environmentally sustainable seafood.

High Liner’s website states that its commitment is to source all its seafood from “sustainable or responsible sources of supply.” For wild products, this means (in priority order): (1) MSC certified or undergoing full MSC assessment ASMI/RFM or Iceland IRF, (2) in a comprehensive FIP, (3) Seafood Watch Green or Yellow, and (4) Ocean Wise Recommended. For farmed products, this means (in priority order): (1) ASC certified or undergoing full ASC assessment, (2) BAP certified, (3) in a comprehensive AIP, (4) Seafood Watch Green or Yellow, and (5) Ocean Wise Recommended (personal communication, J. Austin, 06/03/2023). High Liner intends to announce a timeline for achieving its commitment sometime in 2023. Finally, High Liner has a full chain traceability policy that applies to all its products (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% No publicly available environmental sustainability commitment.

20% General commitment to environmentally sustainable seafood.

40% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives for sustainable procurement.

60% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards (such as Seafood Watch or Ocean Wise ratings, eco-certifications, etc.).

80% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards and a full chain traceability policy in place (or a timeline set for implementation) that traces at least the product scientific name, geographic origin, farmed/wild and harvest method.

100% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards, a full chain traceability policy and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).

1.2 The brand has a publicly available commitment on socially responsible seafood.

High Liner’s commitment to social responsibility is based around its Supplier Code of Conduct which is informed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). High Liner is also a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX), which serves as a tool that the company uses to analyze ethical and responsible business practices throughout its supply chain (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% No publicly available social responsibility commitment.

20% General commitment to socially responsible seafood.

40% Commitment to social responsibility includes with worker driven objectives that are based on credible international standards (The UN’s Guiding Principles, The WBA’s Seafood Stewardship Index, ILO and the UN Declaration).

60% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives and actions or expectations for seafood suppliers.

80% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, and a clear and effective traceability policy that at least involves tracing data on the existence of an independent trade union or representative worker organization.

100% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, a clear and effective traceability policy, and the grocer reports publicly on activities to support social responsibility on at least an annual basis.

Step 2: Collecting Data

2 Collecting Data

Is the brand collecting data to support its commitment?

2.1 The brand collects data on scientific name.

High Liner collects data on species scientific name for all products (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.2 The brand collects data on geographic origin.

High Liner collects data on geographic origin for all products (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.3 The brand collects data on whether wild or farmed.

High Liner collects data on whether wild or farmed for all products (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.4 The brand collects data on gear type or farming methods.

High Liner collects data on gear type or farming method for all products (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

Step 3: Sourcing

3 Responsible Sourcing

Is the brand making responsible sourcing decisions?

3.1 The brand publishes a clear hierarchy demonstrating its sourcing priorities.

Through its Seafood Progress profile, High Liner has published a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards demonstrating its sourcing priorities for all commodities it sells.

0% Does not publish the sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions.

25% Publishes a general list of sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions.

50% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards used for sourcing some products, but doesn’t identify the standards it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for other products.

75% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards used for sourcing some products, and identifies a general list of sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for other products.

100% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards demonstrating its sourcing priorities for all products it sells.

3.2 The brand has reported on the percentage of seafood sold in the past year that met its sustainability commitment by volume or value.

High Liner reported to SeaChoice that 96% of High Liner’s products were in line with its sustainability commitment in 2022 (personal communication, J. Austin, 06/03/2023).

0% The grocer has not reported on the percentage of seafood sold that met its sustainability commitment (or no information available).

25% Grocer has reported that 25% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

50% Grocer has reported that 50% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

75% Grocer has reported that 75% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

100% Grocer has reported that 100% of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

3.3 Suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold the brand's sustainability commitment.

High Liner has a supplier expectation management system that includes documentation about policies and procedures that each supplier is required to read, follow and sign on an annual basis (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023). Additionally, High Liner Foods’ Quality Assurance team completes quarterly visual inspections, random traceability tests, and obtains proof of certification from suppliers (personal communication, J. Austin, 06/03/2023).

0% Suppliers are not required to agree in writing to uphold the terms of the grocer’s commitment.

25% Some suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold some of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment.

50% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold some of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment.

75% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold all of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment on at least an annual basis.

100% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold all of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment and the grocer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld on at least an annual basis.

3.4 Suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct to uphold the brand's social responsibility commitment.

High Liner has a Supplier Code of Conduct that all seafood processors, seafood pre-processors (including fishing vessels) and aquaculture facilities that supply or handle its products are expected to uphold. High Liner conducts internal or 3rd party audits, using a “risk-based approach to audit frequency.” This means that new suppliers are subject to an initial audit, all existing suppliers that passed their initial audit “without conditions” will be re-audited on a two year cycle, and suppliers that receive an approved audit “with conditions” shall be re-audited annually, or more frequently depending on the circumstances. High Liner Foods will terminate business with “Disapproved” suppliers, and may re-enter business discussions with them if sufficient evidence is presented that clearly demonstrates corrective action taken (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information).

50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the grocer’s social responsibility commitment on at least an annual basis.

100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the grocer’s social responsibility commitment and the grocer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld by suppliers of high risk products.

Step 4: Transparency

4 Transparency

Is the brand transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

4.1 The brand labels products with the information that allows consumers to make informed decisions.

High Liner labels some products with scientific name, geographic origin, wild or farmed and harvest method (personal communication, J. Austin, 06/03/2023).

0% The grocer does not label products with the information (or no information available).

50% The grocer labels some products with the information.

75% The grocer labels most products with the information.

100% The grocer labels all products with the information.

4.2 The brand follows best practice guidelines for making environmental claims on its products.

High Liner applies its “Responsibly Sourced” self claim to some products but does not make sourcing information to back up this claim available. High Liner also uses the MSC, BAP and ASC certification claims on some of its products which include chain of custody to serve as evidence to back up these claims. High Liner is an Ocean Wise partner but does not use the Ocean Wise endorsement claim on any product labels (personal communications, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels and does not make evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available.

25% The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels and makes evidence to back up the claim(s) publicly available.

50% The grocer uses endorsement claims on product labels but does not make the evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available – – OR – – The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels that adhere to ISO 14021 Type II guidance and makes evidence to back up the claim(s) publicly available.

75% The grocer uses certification claims as well as endorsement claims and/or self-declared claims that 1) adhere to ISO 14021 Type II guidance and proof of third-party verification on product labels and 2) makes evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available.

100% The grocer only uses credible certification claims on product labels and includes a chain-of-custody identifier with publicly available evidence to back up its claim(s).

4.3 Key information regarding the brand's products has been made publicly available.

High Liner’s NGO partner, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), reported to SeaChoice in March 2023 that its updated Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) profile listing the scientific name, geographic origin and gear type of all its products will be ready in 2-3 weeks, and published shortly after. However, the profile will not include the harvest method for farmed products as this information is not captured through Seafood Metrics (personal communication, H. Sadusky, 22/03/2023).

0% No information has been made publicly available.

50% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type or farming method has been made publicly available for some products.

75% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type OR farming method has been made publicly available for all products.

100% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type AND farming method has been made publicly available for all products.

4.4 The brand publicly reports how much of its seafood meets its sustainability criteria by volume or value of sales on an annual basis.

High Liner has reported for the past two consecutive years on the percentage of seafood sold by volume that was in line with its commitment.

0% No public information on how the grocer is doing to meet its commitment.

50% The grocer has at one point reported publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment.

100% The grocer regularly reports publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment by volume or value of sales every year.

Step 5: Education

5 Education

Does the brand educate key stakeholders about its seafood commitments?

5.1 There is a description of the brand's commitments to sustainable and socially responsible seafood on its website.

There is some description of High Liner’s commitments to sustainability and social responsibility its website.

0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information available).

50% Training programs sometimes conducted or for only some seafood staff.

75% Training programs conducted for all seafood staff, but only once.

100% Training programs regularly conducted for all seafood staff.

5.2 The brand has taken actions to ensure its suppliers are aware of its sustainable seafood commitment.

High Liner makes its sustainability expectations clear to all suppliers and utilizes its Ocean Disclosure Profile to track the areas that are failing to meet its commitment and addresses these issues with suppliers on an annual basis. If a supplier does not meet its expectations, the company requires them to agree in writing on a reasonable timeframe for compliance. High Liner and its NGO partner, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), work together and often travel the globe to meet with suppliers and provide them with direct support to help ensure their products align with High Liner’s commitment (personal communication, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

0% There is no description of the grocer’s commitments in store.

25% There is some description of the grocer’s commitment to sustainability OR social responsibility in store.

50% There is some description of the grocer’s commitment to sustainability AND social responsibility in store.

75% There is a comprehensive description of the grocer’s commitments to sustainability OR social responsibility in store.

100% There is a comprehensive description of the grocer’s commitments to sustainability AND socially responsibility in store.

Step 6: Taking Initiative

6 Taking Initiative

Does the brand take actions to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

6.1 Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

High Liner shared with SeaChoice that it does not sell any GE or GM farmed salmon and has no plans to (personal communications, B. DiMento, 26/01/2023).

Only sells farmed salmon products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are produced in a closed containment facility, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for salmon farming management to be more environmentally sustainable (25 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve salmon farming practices and/or to support their transition from open-net systems to closed containment systems (25 pts).

Preferentially procures farmed salmon from closed containment producers and sources that are Recommended by Ocean Wise or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (25 pts).

Does not sell genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GM) farmed salmon (25 pts).

6.2 Farmed shrimps and prawns

High Liner preferentially sources farmed shrimp and prawns that are ASC or BAP certified and traceable through chain of custody. High Liner is also a member of the Asian farmed shrimp roundtable through the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), and sent a letter within the past year to the Thai Department of Aquaculture advocating for a better disease surveillance program for the farmed shrimp industry (personal communication, H. Sadusky, 22/03/2023). Finally, High Liner Foods is working with the Monterey Bay Aquarium on a project to ensure all white leg shrimp production in Andhra Pradesh achieves at least a Good Alternative rating or equivalent by 2025 (personal communications, B. DiMento, 06/03/2023).

Only sells farmed shrimp and prawn products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC, BAP 2 star plus, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for shrimp and prawn farming management to be more environmentally sustainable (20 pts).

Collaborates with other companies pre-competitively to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices (20 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices (20 pts).

Preferentially procures shrimp and prawns from sources that are ASC or BAP 2 star plus certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch (20 pts).

Prioritizes sourcing products with high levels of social responsibility and/or traceability (20 pts).

6.4 Other species

High Liner prioritizes sourcing seafood that is ASC, BAP and MSC certified products, which are all traceable through chain of custody. Additionally, High Liner is a funding partner of the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI). Finally, High Liner is currently providing financial support to an Atlantic cod Fishery Improvement Project (FIP).

Only sells versions of this product that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC/ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for harvest or farming method and management to be more environmentally sustainable (20 pts).

Collaborates with other companies pre-competitively to improve fishing or aquaculture practices (20 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve fishing or farming practices (20 pts).

Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC/ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch (20 pts).

Prioritizes sourcing products with high levels of social responsibility and/or traceability (20 pts).

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