FCF Co., LTD.

Engagement for policy advocacy

FCF CO., LTD. is engaged in policy advocacy activities both individually and collectively which aim to improve fisheries in the regions where it operates. One activity includes participating in the Seafood Task Force, in cooperation with the Thai Government, to endorse measures from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The company also works with the Taiwan Fisheries Agency to consult on new legal requirements for fishing vessels. Moreover, it participated in a working and living conditions workshop jointly held by the European Commission and the Taiwan Fisheries Agency to advocate for the implementation of social policies in Taiwan. The company states that its engagement with the Taiwan Fisheries Agency, among other activities, was a vital contributing factor to the European Union’s decision to lift its yellow card on Taiwan in June 2019, acknowledging the country’s progress and the major improvements in its fisheries’ legal and administrative systems to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Monitoring of marine ingredients

FCF CO., LTD. has a robust internal system to monitor the legal origins of its marine ingredients that includes a three-step verification process. First, FCF CO., LTD. uses a procurement check list to ensure all vessels are authorised by the regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) and have obtained the necessary fishing licenses. Next, it passes verification to the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing control team that ensures that no policy violations have occurred. Finally, it conducts internal audits periodically to confirm and enforce compliance with these measures.

Policy on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing

FCF CO., LTD. has developed a very detailed and specific policy to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In this policy, FCF CO., LTD. defines IUU fishing based on European Union legislation, applying the term to all of its sourcing activities. The company also identifies what actions it must follow to prevent IUU fishing and determines how to remediate any non-conformances in case of discovery. FCF CO., LTD. also claims to conduct a yearly internal audit to ensure compliance.

Implementation of human and labour right policies

Within its Tuna Sustainability Policy, FCF CO., LTD. commits to respecting human and labour rights. The company is also a member of Seafood Task Force. However, the company lacks public disclosure regarding what procedures it has in place to monitor working conditions and how it provides remediation for any adverse human rights impacts resulting from its operations. Moreover, though FCF CO., LTD. states that it is actively working to establish a policy protocol programme for its tuna suppliers, which would include a robust internal monitoring system, the company has not disclosed its approach.

Sustainability strategy

FCF CO., LTD.’s Tuna Sustainability Policy outlines several of the company’s commitments to sustainability. This policy acknowledges the company’s need to protect the environment and, more specifically, sustainably manage its sourcing activities. However, the sustainability policy lacks time-bound and forward-looking goals as well as quantifiable and comparable data on key environmental and social metrics.

Environmental footprint

FCF CO., LTD. could place a greater emphasis on reducing its environmental footprint, either directly or indirectly. Its Full Retention Policy to reduce food loss and waste is one example that FCF CO., LTD. could imitate across other important environmental metrics. Though the company believes that it does not have any influence on freshwater use or plastics as a tuna trader, FCF CO., LTD. can take into account the significant leverage it has to encourage sustainable behaviour throughout its supply chain.