Commitment to sustainable fishing and aquaculture
Parlevliet & Van der Plas has a set commitment that its entire wild-fish portfolio will be certified by 2030. Currently, the company reports that about 78% of its volumes are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Friends of the Sea or GlobalG.A.P. The company has an opportunity to clarify whether its farmed seafood sourcing is also within the scope of its 2030 target.
Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear
In addition to following a legal framework on waste at seas (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), Parlevliet & Van der Plas reports being involved in a project to use biodegradable fish aggregating devices and investigate their possible side effects in its Fisheries Improvement Action Plan. The company can further improve by assessing risks related to fishing gear in its own fisheries and supply chain.
Bycatch
Parlevliet & Van der Plas reports on several actions to reduce by-catch and discloses many of these as part of certification requirements, such as MSC. In addition, it is exploring alternative technology gear and a by-catch reduction device, and it reports having switched to non-entangling fish aggregating devices for tuna fishing. The company could further improve by quantifying the results of these actions, and aggregating them, particularly on non-certified seafood products.
Endangered species and sensitive habitats
Parlevliet & Van der Plas reports having some activities to prevent harm to endangered species and sensitive habitats. In addition to seeking certifications, the company states that it abides by the European Union legislation on ‘forbidden’ species, data records when interactions with vulnerable ecosystems occur, and using acoustic gear to prevent catching dolphins accidentally. Additionally, the company is involved in a Fisheries Improvement Plan for Atlantic tuna. While these activities are relevant examples, the company could explain how these address the key impacts of its operations on endangered species and sensitive habitats.
Ecosystem impact of aquaculture
Although its primary activities are fishing, Parlevliet & Van der Plas reports that over 15% of its portfolio comes from aquaculture products. While the company performs well on animal welfare, it has an opportunity to improve its performance by establishing a policy on use of antibiotics and reporting high-risk commodities, such as soya, that are used as feed ingredients in its aquaculture supply chain.