Retailer Snapshot

Costco Canada has declined to engage with SeaChoice on its sustainable seafood policy since Seafood Progress began in 2018. As a result, its profile is based solely on publicly available information, some of which is suspected to be outdated. This contributes to Costco being the lowest scoring retailer on Seafood Progress.

Environmental Sustainability Commitment. Costco’s sustainable seafood policy does not indicate if any shelf stable products (e.g. canned tuna) or seafood company brand products (e.g. products made by X or Y) are covered or which stores it applies to, nor does it specify explicit timelines for achieving the commitment or if it is supported by a traceability policy. In terms of reporting, Costco does not share the percentage of seafood sold that meets its commitment through any public channels. Costco uses the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) eco-certifications as a basis for sourcing certain species and products. 

Social Responsibility Commitment. Costco’s global Code of Conduct for suppliers includes clear objectives and expectations for seafood suppliers, but no traceability policy or timelines.

Scope of Commitment. See below for information on which types of products are included in the scope of Costco’s sustainable seafood policy.

Grocery store brands: Owned and controlled by Costco Canada
Seafood company brands: Owned by companies that supply many retailers
No brand: Fresh and frozen seafood packaged without branding

WHAT CAN CONSUMERS DO TO HELP?

Take action!

Costco’s seafood customers are not being informed of its progress on its sustainable seafood commitment. Retailers listen closely to what YOU have to say. Leverage that power to drive important changes throughout the supply chain!

Select a topic to ADVOCATE for Costco Canada to improve.

Commitment

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own).
  2. Go to Costco Canada’s Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile, your sustainable seafood policy does not indicate if any shelf stable or seafood company brand products are covered or identify which stores your policy applies to. As your customer, how can I be confident that I am buying sustainable products without this information? @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/costco-canada/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@costcocanada, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, your seafood commitment does not indicate if ALL of your products are covered or which stores your policy applies to. As your customer, how can I be confident that I am buying sustainable products? @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and address it to customerservice@costco.com.
  2. In the subject line, write “Costco Canada’s Seafood Commitments.’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Luc Lortie, Sustainability Director.

Hi Mr. Lortie,

I shop at Costco and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I am extremely disappointed to learn that you haven’t engaged in this program, and that you are the lowest performing retailer of the eight profiled. I also learned that your sustainable seafood policy does not indicate if any shelf stable or seafood company brand products are covered or identify which stores your policy applies to.

As a start, I would like Costco to indicate to the public which stores and products are covered under its sustainable seafood commitment. I would also like Costco to start engaging with SeaChoice to show customers like myself that there is more to your sustainable seafood commitment than what can be found online. 

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[your name]

Phone

  1. Call Costco’s Costco’s Customer Service line at 1-888-426-7826.
  2. Speak to the above message in your own words.
Transparency

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own).
  2. Go to Costco Canada’s Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you don’t publicize how much of the seafood that you sell meets your sustainable seafood commitment, nor do you indicate whether scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed or gear type or farming method is included on your labels. As your customer, I want Costco to disclose its progress with the public and include important product information on its seafood labels! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/costco-canada/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@costcocanada, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, you don’t let the public know how much of your seafood sold meets your commitment, and your labels lack important information. I expect you to be more transparent with your customers! #seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and address it to customerservice@costco.com.
  2. In the subject line, write “Costco Canada’s Seafood Commitments.’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Luc Lortie, Sustainability Director.

Hi Mr. Lortie,

I shop at Costco and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I am extremely disappointed to learn that you haven’t engaged with SeaChoice in this program, and that you are the lowest performing retailer of the eight profiled. I also discovered that you don’t publicly disclose the percentage of the seafood that you sell that meets your sustainable seafood commitment, nor do you indicate whether species scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed or gear type or farming method is included on your labels. 

As your customer, I call on Costco to disclose its progress with the public and include important product information on its seafood labels. I would also like Costco to start engaging with SeaChoice to show customers like myself that there is more to your sustainable seafood commitment than what can be found online.

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[your name]

Phone

  1. Call Costco’s Costco’s Customer Service line at 1-888-426-7826.
  2. Speak to the above message in your own words.
Education

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own).
  2. Go to Costco Canada’s Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile, Costco does not educate its staff, suppliers or consumers on the importance of its sustainable seafood policy. As your customer, I expect Costco to spread awareness of your commitment through your supply chain! @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/costco-canada/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@costcocanada, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, Costco doesn’t educate its staff, suppliers or consumers on the importance of its sustainable seafood policy. As your customer, I expect Costco to spread awareness of your commitment through your supply chain! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and address it to customerservice@costco.com.
  2. In the subject line, write “Costco Canada’s Seafood Commitments.’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Luc Lortie, Sustainability Director.

Hi Mr. Lortie,

I shop at Costco and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I am extremely disappointed to learn that you haven’t engaged in this program, and that you are the lowest performing retailer of the eight profiled. I also discovered that you don’t educate your suppliers, consumers or staff on the importance of your sustainable seafood policy. 

As your customer, I call on Costco to spread awareness of your sustainable seafood commitment through your supply chain. I would also like Costco to start engaging with SeaChoice to show customers like myself that there is more to your sustainable seafood commitment than what can be found online.

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[your name]

Phone

  1. Call Costco’s Costco’s Customer Service line at 1-888-426-7826.
  2. Speak to the above message in your own words.
Data Collection

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own).
  2. Go to Costco Canada’s Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you don’t collect scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed or gear type or farming method on your seafood products. Without capturing this data, how can you be sure what you’re actually selling? @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/costco-canada/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@costcocanada, according to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile you don’t collect scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed or gear type or farming method on your seafood products. Without capturing this data, how can you be sure what you’re actually selling? @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and address it to customerservice@costco.com.
  2. In the subject line, write “Costco Canada’s Seafood Commitments.’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Luc Lortie, Sustainability Director.

Hi Mr. Lortie,

I shop at Costco and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I am extremely disappointed to learn that you haven’t engaged in this program, and that you are the lowest performing retailer of the eight profiled. I also discovered that you don’t collect the scientific name, geographic origin, wild/farmed or gear type or farming method on your seafood products. 

As your customer, I call on Costco to capture those data elements on its seafood products to ensure that they can be traced to the source. I would like Costco to start engaging with SeaChoice to show customers like myself that there is more to your sustainable seafood commitment than what can be found online.

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[your name]

Phone

  1. Call Costco’s Costco’s Customer Service line at 1-888-426-7826.
  2. Speak to the above message in your own words.

Another way to take action is to let retailers know that their efforts are noticed and that you want them to continue on the path towards best practice.

Select a topic to ACKNOWLEDGE Costco Canada’s efforts.

Responsible Sourcing

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own).
  2. Go to Costco Canada’s Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile, you use credible eco-certifications as a basis for sourcing certain species and products. As your customer, I appreciate this effort and hope to see it become the basis for sourcing ALL your products! @seachoice  www.seachoice.org/retailer/costco-canada/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@costcocanada, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile, you use credible eco-certifications as a basis for sourcing certain species and products. As your customer, I appreciate this effort and hope to see it become the basis for sourcing ALL your products! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and address it to customerservice@costco.com.
  2. In the subject line, write “Costco Canada’s Seafood Commitments.’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Luc Lortie, Sustainability Director.

Hi Mr. Lortie,

I shop at Costco and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I am extremely disappointed to learn that you haven’t engaged in this program, and that you are the lowest performing retailer of the eight profiled. 

However, I am pleased to learn that you use credible eco-certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council as a basis for sourcing certain species and products. As your customer, I appreciate this effort and hope to see it become the basis for sourcing ALL your products! I also hope to see Costco start engaging with SeaChoice to provide a more accurate representation of your efforts. 

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[your name]

Phone

  1. Call Costco’s Costco’s Customer Service line at 1-888-426-7826.
  2. Speak to the above message in your own words.
Supporting Industry Improvements

Select your communication method of choice below and take action!

Social Media

Facebook

  1. Copy your message of choice below (or draft your own).
  2. Go to Costco Canada’s Facebook page. 
  3. Paste your message (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“According to Costco’s #SeafoodProgress profile, Costco aims to preferentially source farmed salmon, shrimp, pangasius and tilapia from suppliers who are certified with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. As your customer, I appreciate this preference and hope to see Costco ONLY source eco-certified products soon. @seachoice www.seachoice.org/retailer/costco-canada/“

Twitter

  1. Copy the tweet below (or write your own).
  2. Go to Twitter.
  3. Paste your tweet (be sure to tag SeaChoice!) and post.

“.@costcocanada, according to your #SeafoodProgress profile Costco aims to preferentially source farmed salmon, shrimp, pangasius and tilapia from suppliers who are certified with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. As your customer, I appreciate this effort! @seachoice”

Email

  1. Copy and paste the message below and address it to customerservice@costco.com.
  2. In the subject line, write “Costco Canada’s Seafood Commitments.’
  3. If you feel comfortable, please cc or bcc SeaChoice at info@seachoice.org. 

Attention: Luc Lortie, Sustainability Director.

Hi Mr. Lortie,

I shop at Costco and recently reviewed your company profile on Seafood Progress. I am extremely disappointed to learn that you haven’t engaged in this program, and that you are the lowest performing retailer of the eight profiled. 

However, I am pleased to learn that you  preferentially source farmed salmon, shrimp, pangasius and tilapia from suppliers who are certified with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. As your customer, I appreciate this preference and hope to see Costco ONLY source eco-certified products soon. I also hope to see Costco start engaging with SeaChoice to provide a more accurate representation of your efforts. 

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,

[your name]

Phone

  1. Call Costco’s Costco’s Customer Service line at 1-888-426-7826.
  2. Speak to the above message in your own words.

See below for the remainder of Costco Canada’s 2021 profile summary.

Other retailer information

Data Collection. To our knowledge, Costco does not collect critical data on its seafood products.

Responsible Sourcing. Costco requires its suppliers to sign a code of conduct to uphold its commitment to social responsibility. To SeaChoice’s knowledge, Costco’s suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct to uphold its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Transparency. To SeaChoice’s knowledge, Costco does not label any of its products with species scientific name, geographic origin, whether it is wild or farmed or the gear type or farming method. Costco does not disclose a list of its products procured with region and gear type to the public. 

Education. To SeaChoice’s knowledge, Costco does not educate its staff, suppliers or consumers on the importance of its sustainable seafood policy. 

Supports Improvements. In terms of farmed salmon, Costco’s goal is to “source only from suppliers that have been certified by the ASC standard. This goal has been partially achieved.” In terms of farmed shrimp, Costco’s goal is to “source farmed shrimp only from suppliers that have been certified under ASC standards.” It’s progress on achieving this goal has not been made publicly available. In August of 2020, Costco signed the NGO Tuna Forum’s global advocacy letter that addressed the core elements of long-term tuna stock sustainability. Costco has a policy to source a species that is deemed ‘at great risk’ if the fishery is MSC certified – included in this list is Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut and swordfish. Costco also preferentially sources ASC certified shrimp, salmon, pangasius and tilapia.

Step 1: Does the retailer have a comprehensive commitment on sustainable seafood?

Overall Step Score

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco’s two primary objectives are to source wild and farmed seafood products that have been produced in ways that “meet current demands without compromising the availability of scarce resources for future generations” and to consider biological, ecological and regulatory factors when making sourcing decisions. For certain species that have been recognized as being ‘at great risk’ (including Atlantic cod, swordfish and redfish), Costco is committed to only sourcing products if the fishery has been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Costco also states that it is aiming for all of its farmed shrimp, salmon and pangasius products to be certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). As of 2020, “all tilapia sold at Costco is from farms and suppliers that are ASC certified.”

  • 0% No publicly available environmental sustainability commitment or policy
  • 20% General commitment to environmentally sustainable seafood without clear objectives, traceability policy or timelines
  • 40% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives for sustainable procurement, but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 60% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards (such as Seafood Watch or Ocean Wise rankings, eco-certifications, etc.), but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 80% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards and a clear and effective traceability policy, but no timeline
  • 100% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards, a clear and effective traceability policy, and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco Wholesale Corporation has a global Code of Conduct for suppliers that addresses human rights such as trafficking, physical abuse, workers’ freedom of movement, workplace safety, wages, overtime and child labour. Unannounced, independent, third-party audits of selected suppliers are carried out to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct. If non-critical violations are discovered, Costco’s preference is to work with the supplier to correct the Code violation within a set time-frame, but if the violation is ‘critical’ or the supplier’s progress towards improvement is not satisfactory, Costco will stop sourcing from that supplier. Costco is experimenting with a boat-to-plate traceability system for shrimp, but otherwise its traceability policy is unclear.

  • 0% No publicly available social responsibility commitment or policy
  • 20% General commitment to socially responsible seafood without clear objectives, traceability policy or timelines
  • 40% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives for socially responsible procurement (for example by referring to credible international standards such as ILO, UN Declaration, etc.), but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 60% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives and actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, but no traceability policy or timelines.
  • 80% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, and a clear and effective traceability policy, but no timeline
  • 100% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, a clear and effective traceability policy, and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

There is no information in Costco’s global sustainable seafood policy regarding the regions or stores to which its policy applies.

  • 0% Retailer does not include any banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 25% Retailer includes 25% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 50% Retailer includes 50% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 75% Retailer includes 75% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • 100% Retailer includes 100% of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

There is no information in Costco’s global sustainable seafood policy regarding which product categories and segments are included in its policy.

  • 0% Retailer's commitment covers neither all of their shelf stable or national brand. products
  • 50% Retailer's commitment covers all of their shelf stable or national brand products
  • 100% Retailer's commitment covers all of their shelf stable AND national brand products
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 2: Is the retailer collecting data to support their commitment?

Overall Step Score

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

What information is the retailer collecting to monitor the environmental and social sustainability of their seafood products?

The step score is based on the average of Step 2 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in public commitment.

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in public commitment.

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in public commitment.

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in public commitment.

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 3: Is the retailer making responsible sourcing decisions?

Overall Step Score

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Are the retailer’s procurement decisions supporting their environmental and social sustainability commitments?

The step score is based on the average of Step 3 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that KPI 3.3 was changed in 2019 from “Retailer works with suppliers to address potential human rights and labour abuses, and support sustainable livelihoods for producers” to more specific indicators around retailers’ agreements with their suppliers/vendors to uphold their environmental and social commitments.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco uses MSC and ASC eco-certifications as a basis for sourcing certain species and products.

  • 0% No sustainability criteria used to inform purchasing decisions (or no information available)
  • 100% Sustainabilty criteria used to inform purchasing decisions
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

SeaChoice could not find any information on Costco’s overall compliance with its seafood sourcing policy, but its Sustainable Fisheries webpage says that it has ‘partially’ met its commitments to source 100% ASC certified farmed shrimp and salmon, ‘largely’ met its commitment to source 100% ASC certified pangasius, and fully met its commitment to source 100% ASC certified tilapia.

  • 0% Retailer has not reported in last three years how much of their seafood sold meets their sustainability commitment (or no information available)
  • 25% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 50% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 75% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 100% percent of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco Wholesale Corporation’s Supplier Code of Conduct covers its social responsibility commitment but not its seafood-specific environmental commitments, for example in relation to sourcing MSC and ASC certified products. SeaChoice was unable to find any information on whether Costco Canada uses any other Codes of Conduct with its seafood suppliers.

  • 0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information)
  • 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 75% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment and the retailer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld.
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco Wholesale Corporation’s Supplier Code of Conduct applies to all suppliers to provide merchandise to Costco, and it includes its social responsibility commitment.

  • 0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information)
  • 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 75% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's social responsibility commitment and the retailer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld.
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 4: Is the retailer transparent about their commitment?

Overall Step Score

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Is the retailer making information regarding the environmental and social performance of their seafood products publicly available and are they reporting on progress against their sustainable seafood commitment?

The step score is based on the average of Step 4 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in commitment.

  • Species scientific (Latin) name
  • Country of origin
  • Wild or farmed
  • Gear type or farming method
  • 0% Retailer does not label products with the information (or no information)
  • 50% Retailer labels some products with the information
  • 100% Retailer labels all products with the information
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

There is no information on Costco’s use of eco-labels in its commitment, but SeaChoice’s citizen science labelling studies show that Costco uses the MSC logo on at least some products identified in its Sustainable Fisheries policy.

  • 0% Retailer does not label products with an ecolabel as appropriate (or no information)
  • 100% Retailer labels products with an ecolabel as appropriate OR all products fit under a standard and is communicated as such
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco does not publicly dislose this information.

  • 0% No list of products procured with region and gear type has been made available (or no information)
  • 50% Some seafood products with region and gear type has been made available
  • 100% All seafood products with region and gear type has been made available
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

SeaChoice could not find any information on Costco’s overall compliance with its seafood sourcing policy, but its Sustainable Fisheries webpage says that it has ‘partially’ met its commitments to source 100% ASC certified farmed shrimp and salmon, ‘largely’ met its commitment to source 100% ASC certified pangasius, and has fully met its commitment to source 100% ASC certified tilapia.

  • 0% No public information on how the retailer is doing to meet its commitment
  • 50% Retailer has at one point in the past reported publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment
  • 100% Retailer regularly reports publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment (by volume/value, at least every two years)
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 5: Does the retailer educate staff, customers and/or vendors about the importance of their commitment to sustainable seafood?

Overall Step Score

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Is the retailer educating their employees, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders about their sustainable seafood commitment, environmental and social issues in seafood, and the importance of traceability?

The step score is based on the average of Step 5 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that KPI 5.3 changed in 2019 from “Suppliers are required to sign a Code of Conduct to uphold the retailer’s sustainable seafood policy” (now covered by KPIs 3.3 and 3.4) to an indicator of what actions retailers have taken to educate their suppliers/vendors about their sustainable seafood commitment.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in commitment.

  • 0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information)
  • 50% Training programs sometimes conducted or for only some seafood staff
  • 75% Training programs conducted for all seafood staff, but infrequently (less than every two years)
  • 100% Training programs regularly (at least every two years) conducted for all seafood staff
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

No information in commitment.

  • 0% There is no description of the sustainable seafood program in store (or no information)
  • 50% This is some description of the sustainable seafood program in store
  • 100% There is a comprehensive description of the sustainable seafood program in store
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco Wholesale Corporation seems to be taking action to address potential human rights and labour abuses through its Code of Conduct for suppliers and to support sustainable livelihoods for producers through its engagement in Fishery Improvement Projects with its NGO partner (WWF), but SeaChoice was unable to confirm what specific actions Costco Canada is engaged in, particularly in relation to making its suppliers aware of its Sustainable Fisheries policy.

  • 0% The retailer has taken no actions OR no information available
  • 25% The retailer sends its suppliers or vendors a copy of its sustainable seafood commitment or policy
  • 50% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy and sometimes engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet the retailer's expectations.
  • 75% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy and regularly engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet the retailer's expectations.
  • 100% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy, has a clear strategy to engage with its suppliers and provides direct support (e.g. training, resources) to help ensure all seafood product are procured in line with its policies.
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 6: Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?

Overall Step Score

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Does the retailer sell ‘Priority Seafood’ products (seafood that has high volume of sales in Canadian retail stores and that is generally not recommended by the Ocean Wise Seafood Program), and if so, do they support improvement and how?

The step score is based on the average of Step 6 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that this Step was changed significantly in 2019 to introduce two additional ‘Support Improvement’ actions for each of the Priority Seafood products. This means that if a retailer was engaged in the same actions in 2019 as in 2018, and no more, their score will appear to have decreased). Additionally, KPIs 6.4 and 6.5 on other SeaChoice priority seafood products were generalized into a new KPI that allows retailers to showcase any other actions they are taking to support improvement of specific seafood products (besides shrimp, farmed salmon and skipjack), or to support improvements in seafood sustainability in general.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Since 2018, Costco’s website has stated that it is “actively engaging to transition more salmon farms to reach the ASC standard by working with suppliers and WWF to develop and implement AIPs [Aquaculture Improvement Projects]”. However, as of May 2021 SeaChoice has not found evidence that these actions are ongoing. Additionally, Costco’s goal is to “source farmed salmon only from suppliers that have been certified by the ASC standard. This goal has been partially achieved.”

  • Only sells farmed salmon products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for salmon farming management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve salmon aquaculture practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve salmon farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not ASC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially procures farmed salmon from sources that are ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Since 2018, Costco’s website has stated that it participated in the implementation of the ASC shrimp standard and has been “actively engaging to help transition more shrimp farms to reach the ASC standard by working with [its] suppliers and World Wildlife Fund to develop and implement Aquaculture Improvement Projects”. However, as of May 2021 SeaChoice has not found evidence that these actions are ongoing. Costco’s goal is to be sourcing farmed shrimp only from suppliers that have been certified under ASC standards.

  • Only sells farmed shrimp and prawn products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC or BAP, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for shrimp and prawn farming management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not ASC or BAP certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially procures shrimp and prawns from sources that are ASC or BAP certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Since 2018, Costco’s website has stated that its “major canned tuna suppliers are participants in the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation which is aiming to improve fishing practices.” However, as of May 2021 SeaChoice cannot find evidence that this information is still accurate. In August of 2020, Costco signed the NGO Tuna forum’s global advocacy letter that addressed the core elements of long-term tuna stock sustainability.

  • Only sells skipjack tuna products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for skipjack fishing methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve skipjack fishery management practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve skipjack fishing practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not MSC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Costco Canada
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Costco has a policy of source a species that is deemed ‘at great risk’, if the fishery is MSC certified – included in this list is Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, and swordfish. Costco also preferentially sources ASC certified shrimp, salmon, pangasius and tilapia.

  • 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 ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest or farming method and management to be more environmentally sustainable and/or socially responsible
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve fishing or aquaculture practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve fishing or farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not MSC/ASC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC/ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
  • Scoring Rubric
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Seafood Progress Reports

Sustainable Seafood Policy

Link

Location

Across Canada

SeaChoice is a sustainable seafood partnership of the following three conservation groups: