Avramar progresses on sustainability metrics; Thai Union deploys HIPPO in Bangkok river

Thai Union's High Impact Plastic Pollution remOver (HIPPO) machine
Thai Union's High Impact Plastic Pollution remOver (HIPPO) machine | Photo courtesy of Thai Union
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SeafoodSource is closely following the sustainable seafood movement by compiling a regular round-up of sector updates about sustainability initiatives and certifications.

- The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) have published a joint interoperability mapping resource providing an overview of how the TNFD Disclosure Recommendations and metrics and the GRI standards align.

GRI has created a sector standard for the aquaculture and fisheries sectors to give companies common standards on which they can base their corporate reporting. Launched in 2021, TFND comprises 40 senior corporate executives – supported by 20 science, standards, and data bodies – aiming to provide organizations with the tools to act voluntarily on evolving nature-related issues.

The two organizations have worked together for the past two years to mutually support each other. In January 2024, the GRI published GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024, a major revision to its earlier biodiversity standard, which aligns with the TNFD Recommendations released in September 2023 that were designed to enable businesses to assess, report, and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities.

Among the most important aspects of this intentional alignment is the push toward ensuring consistency between the TNFD core global disclosure metrics and the related metrics in the GRI standards, according to GRI Chief Standards Officer Bastian Buck.

“This resource enables them to seamlessly integrate the TNFD recommendations, allowing for simplified, single-source reporting,” Buck said. “GRI and the TNFD will continue to cooperate to prevent the need for double reporting and ensure organizations can transparently and accountably disclose their impacts.”

TNFD Executive Director Tony Goldner said the mapping initiative “will further support market participants needing, or wanting, to report on their nature-related dependencies and impacts leveraging GRI standards and metrics and in line with the TNFD recommendations.”

Porto, Portugal-based CoLAB for Blue Bioeconomy has launched a project intended to identify new market opportunities for discarded fish parts.

The "Fish Matter, from Head to Tail" project plans to create an “intelligent platform for the valorization of blue bioeconomy byproducts, using advanced matchmaking algorithms to connect byproduct generators, processors, and valorization technologies.”

Specifically, the project will seek new value chains in the biomedical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, chemical, and food segments, according to B2E CoLAB Coordinator Maria Coelho.

“Fish Matter is a direct response to the underutilization of raw materials and the urgent need to establish innovative and sustainable circular economy processes,” Coelho said in a press release. “The project aims to have a significant impact on the Portuguese economy and society, reinforcing Portugal’s commitment to sustainability and positioning the country at the forefront of innovative marine resource valorization.”

The Fish Matter project, led by B2E CoLAB is collaborating with CIIMAR, IPMA, ISEP, the University of Aveiro, and the University of Minho on the project, which is funded via the European Union’s Blue Bioeconomy Pact under its Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Greek sea bass and sea bream producer Avramar has released its 2023 sustainability report.

Avramar reported a 14 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions year over year; a 16 percent reduction in electricity consumption; an 11 percent reduction in fuel consumption; 100 percent eco-label coverage of its products under GFSI- and GSSI-recognized certifications; 90 percent of its generated solid waste diverted from disposal through recycling, composting, or reuse; and zero product recalls.

“Our efforts are driven by the belief that Mediterranean aquaculture plays a vital role in creating a more sustainable food system,” Avramar CEO Eugenio Meschini said in the report. “Aquaculture offers an eco-friendlier alternative to produce food than traditional land-based animal proteins, using less freshwater and land while producing a lower carbon footprint. By adhering to sustainable practices, we are helping to address the most pressing environmental issues of our time.”

Bangkok, Thailand-based seafood conglomerate Thai Union has announced partnerships with Seven Clean Seas and Second Life aimed at tackling plastic pollution.

Thai Union said through its collaboration with Seven Clean Seas, a High Impact Plastic Pollution remOver (HIPPO) system has been deployed in the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The solar-powered device captures and removes river waste before it reaches the ocean. 

Its partnership with Second Life, a social enterprise dedicated to collecting and recycling ocean plastic, involves removing ocean-bound plastic from the coastal and remote island regions of Krabi, Ranong, Trang, and Phang-nga.

Both initiatives are aligned with Thai Union’s SeaChange 2030 sustainability strategy, which aims to remove 1,500 tons of ocean-bound plastic from waterways and oceans by 2030.


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