High Liner Foods

Implementation of human and labour rights policies

High Liner Foods demonstrates approaches to develop ethical and responsible business practices throughout its global supply chain through its supplier code of conduct. Nonetheless, the company does not provide evidence of processes in place that aim to identify risks, track responses or enable the remediation of any adverse human rights impacts resulting from its operations.

Traceability and sourcing

Aside from publishing a CSR strategy on its website, High Liner Foods discloses little information about the stewardship of its supply chain. The company states that it purchased 214 million pounds of seafood in 2017, with 90 percent of it responsibly sourced, yet does not provide specific or in-depth data regarding this purchase. Similarly, High Liner Food says that it collects key data, such as the country, production or gear method and certification status, for every lot of wild-caught and farmed seafood. However, the company does not provide further information about what system it has in place or how the data is verified.

Environmental footprint

High Liner Foods has significant room for improvement to reduce its environmental footprint. Regarding plastic, the company states that it applies extensive recycling practices to its operations, though does not provide quantitative evidence. Moreover, the company does not disclose any specific information related to other key environmental metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions or food loss.

Sustainability strategy

High Liner Foods has established a CSR strategy that covers three main areas: responsible sourcing, its people and communities, and protecting the environment. Under this strategy, the company reports on a limited number of environmental and social metrics that are not linked to clear targets. High Liner Foods can improve both its transparency and accountability by establishing a number of time-bound targets and setting baseline figures with which it could report on its annual sustainability progress.

Support for local communities

High Liner Foods shares limited information about its efforts towards improving the livelihoods of people living in the areas where the company operates. While it supports local programmes focused on hunger, education, health and wellness, the environment and the overall betterment of local communities, the company could highlight what economic opportunities it provides to people living in these communities and how it tracks the impact of its local programmes.