Seafood Progress
Brand's Commitment to Sustainable and Socially Responsible Seafood
Seafood Progress Average : 66
Overview
Commitment to Sustainable Seafood
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Summary
Sustainability Commitment. True North Seafood’s commitment to sustainability is informed by its parent company, Cooke Aquaculture Inc. Cooke’s website indicates that it is committed to only selling farmed salmon products that are BAP 4 star certified. SeaChoice could not find mention of a commitment to sustainability for its wild products. Cooke’s Sustainabiilty Policy claims that it has full traceability across its operations, but does not specify which key data elements it traces for its wild and farmed products.
Social Responsibility Commitment. SeaChoice could not find evidence that Cooke Aquaculture or True North Seafood has a commitment to social responsibility or a supplier code of conduct.
Step Scores
1
Commitment on sustainable seafood
5
Education
6
Supporting System Improvements
Notes
Step Scores
6
Taking Initiative
Notes
Step 1: Commitment
1
Commitment
1.1 The brand has a publicly available commitment on environmentally sustainable seafood.
True North Seafood’s commitment to sustainability is informed by its parent company, Cooke Aquaculture Inc. Cooke’s website indicates that it is committed to only selling farmed salmon products that are BAP 4 star certified. SeaChoice could not find mention of a commitment to sustainability for its wild products. Cooke’s Sustainabiilty Policy claims that it has full traceability across its operations, but does not specify which key data elements it traces for its wild and farmed products.
1.2 The brand has a publicly available commitment on socially responsible seafood.
SeaChoice could not find evidence that Cooke Aquaculture or True North Seafood has a commitment to social responsibility or a supplier code of conduct.
Step 2: Collecting Data
2
Collecting Data
2.1 The brand collects data on scientific name.
True North Seafood’s Online Product Catalogue indicates that it collects this information on all products.
2.2 The brand collects data on geographic origin.
True North Seafood’s Online Product Catalogue indicates that it collects this information on all products.
2.3 The brand collects data on whether wild or farmed.
True North Seafood’s Product Catalogue indicates that the company collects this information on all products.
2.4 The brand collects data on gear type or farming methods.
True North Seafood’s Product Catalogue indicates that the company collects this information on all products.
Step 3: Sourcing
3
Responsible Sourcing
3.1 The brand publishes a clear hierarchy demonstrating its sourcing priorities.
True North Seafood publishes the sustainability standard it uses for farmed salmon (BAP 4 star) but doesn’t identify the standards it uses for all other products.
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.
SeaChoice could not find evidence that True North Seafood, or its parent company Cooke Aquaculture, has reported on the percentage of seafood sold that met its commitment in the past year.
3.3 Suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold the brand's sustainability commitment.
SeaChoice could not find evidence that Cooke Aquaculture requires suppliers to agree to the terms outlined in its Sustainability Policy.
3.4 Suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct to uphold the brand's social responsibility commitment.
SeaChoice could not find evidence that Cooke or True North has a social code of conduct that suppliers are required to abide by.
Step 4: Transparency
4
Transparency
4.1 The brand labels products with the information that allows consumers to make informed decisions.
SeaChoice found evidence that True North Seafood labels some products as wild and with geographic origin but not with scientific name, gear type or farming method.
4.2 The brand follows best practice guidelines for making environmental claims on its products.
True North Seafood uses its “Sustainably farmed” self claim which does not adhere to ISO14041 Type ll guidance and evidence is not made publicly available to back up this claim. SeaChoice also found evidence that True North Seafood labels some products with the MSC, BAP and ASC certification claims which include unique chain of custody numbers that serve as evidence to back up these claims.
4.3 Key information regarding the brand's products has been made publicly available.
True North Seafood’s online product catalogue includes information on scientific name and geographic origin, but not gear type or farming method.
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.
SeaChoice could not find evidence that True North Seafood, or its parent company Cooke Aquaculture, has reported on the percentage of seafood sold that met its commitment in the past two consecutive years.
Step 5: Education
5
Education
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 True North’s commitment to sustainability, but no description of a commitment to social responsibility on its website.
5.2 The brand has taken actions to ensure its suppliers are aware of its sustainable seafood commitment.
Cooke Aquaculture’s Sustainability Policy states that the policy will be shared with employees of its North American aquaculture operations, and that these employees shall be educated and trained to uphold high standards of safety, food safety, quality and operational integrity while handling its fish and products. Additionally, the policy states that the company shall provide the necessary infrastructure, resources, and training to enable its employees to meet these standards.
Step 6: Taking Initiative
6
Taking Initiative
6.1 Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Cooke Aquaculture’s Sustainability Policy states that it does not use genetically modified salmonid strains in its breeding program. Based on publicly available information, it doesn’t appear that it is taking any other actions to support management improvements to this species.
6.2 Farmed shrimps and prawns
SeaChoice could not find evidence that True North Seafood is taking any actions to support improvements to farmed shrimp.
6.4 Other species
There is no publicly available information that suggests True North Seafood (Cooke Aquaculture) is taking any actions to improve the management of any other species/commodities.
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