The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) aims to work with seafood companies and retailers across the globe to improve tuna management. GTA presently has 44 members, including Aldi, Carrefour, Culimer USA, Lidl France, Tesco, and Woolworth’s.
Daniel Suddaby is GTA’s executive director and discussed with SeafoodSource how GTA helps companies have a voice in regional fishery management organization (RFMO) decision-making and tuna management overall, as well as how the organization’s strategic plan is helping global supply chains access responsible, low-risk, and stable supplies of tuna.
SeafoodSource: How does GTA help supply chain companies and retailers engage with RFMO decision-making, and what are the types of issues you are working on with companies?
Suddaby: For too long, seafood companies and retailers have had to deal with sustainability challenges only after they’ve become problems – when risks become public, reputations are at stake, or sourcing options suddenly shrink. GTA offers a better way forward, helping companies move from being reactive to proactive by giving them a direct platform to shape the policies that influence their tuna supply chains.
RFMO discussions have traditionally been dominated by government representatives and the catching sector, despite the fact that retailers and suppliers are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the fish they sell is sourced responsibly. If businesses want to meet the high sustainability and sourcing standards their customers demand, they need a seat at the table where decisions about tuna management are being made.
That’s exactly what GTA provides.
Through the alliance, companies can advocate for stronger fisheries management, more sustainable stock levels, and better transparency across the supply chain. We focus on ensuring long-term tuna availability by pushing for science-based harvest strategies, reducing ecosystem impacts by supporting better bycatch mitigation and gear improvements, and strengthening social responsibility and labor protections for workers at sea.
One of the most exciting aspects of our work is how we leverage supply chain data to maximize our influence in RFMO discussions. Our partners provide us with key sourcing information – in some cases all the way down to the boat level – which allows us to pinpoint risk areas, identify where advocacy and improvement efforts will be most effective, and ensure that industry influence is used strategically.
For U.S. retailers and suppliers, this is a critical moment. The decisions being made at RFMOs today will determine whether U.S. seafood buyers continue to have access to sustainable, responsibly sourced tuna in the coming years.
Being a part of GTA means having a direct role in shaping those decisions, rather than waiting for supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, or sustainability issues to impact a business.
SeafoodSource: What types of seafood companies are members of GTA?
Suddaby: GTA brings together a diverse group of seafood businesses, including major retailers, global seafood brands, processors, and distributors. Our partners include multinational supermarket chains, specialty seafood suppliers, and key distributors, all of whom share a commitment to responsible tuna sourcing and want to be recognized for their leadership in sustainability.
We work with early adopters and major industry players who want to lead change rather than simply follow ineffective regulations. Partners include household names like Tesco, Carrefour, and Aldi, as well as Fortune Fish & Gourmet, Culimer USA, and Princes Group, all of whom understand the importance of being ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability.
What makes GTA unique is that it was created by the industry for the industry. Companies join GTA because they want to be part of a strong, coordinated voice at RFMO meetings, gain access to sustainability insights, and work with us to take tailored action before risks escalate.
For U.S.-based retailers and suppliers, joining GTA is an opportunity to do more than just meet industry standards; it’s a chance to actively drive change.
For seafood buyers, sustainability managers, and sourcing professionals, joining GTA means having more influence over policies that impact supply, gaining stronger insights into sustainability risks before they escalate, and playing a leadership role in ensuring tuna remains a sustainable and commercially viable product.
SeafoodSource: What are some of the priorities for GTA coming out of its new strategic plan?
Suddaby: Our 2025-2030 strategy is built on three key areas that reflect what our partners care about most.
The first area is Blue Resilience, which focuses on ensuring tuna stocks and ecosystems remain healthy and that fisheries management is based on the best available science. Sustainable stocks mean long-term security for companies that rely on tuna.
Second, Blue Community addresses the social responsibility side of seafood sourcing, making sure that labor conditions at sea meet ethical standards and that workers’ rights are protected. The seafood industry is under increasing scrutiny when it comes to labor issues, and companies that ignore these risks do so at their own peril.
Finally, Blue Integrity focuses on improving traceability and transparency so businesses can have confidence their tuna is sourced legally and sustainably. Strong traceability systems protect retailers and suppliers from reputational risks, regulatory challenges, and sourcing disruptions.
We’re prioritizing stronger ecosystem management at RFMOs and pushing for harvest strategies, better monitoring, and compliance mechanisms. We’re also expanding our focus on labor rights advocacy and ILO 188 ratification – something that’s becoming a much bigger part of responsible sourcing conversations.
Another major focus for us is expanding engagement in the U.S. market. GTA already has strong representation in Europe, as well as a foothold in Japan, but we are keen to engage more U.S. retailers. Having more American companies at the table will be a gamechanger for driving change in many fisheries.
SeafoodSource: How is GTA working to support greater traceability in tuna fisheries?
Suddaby: Traceability is one of the biggest challenges in seafood sourcing, but it’s also one of the most foundational. Without strong traceability, companies can’t be sure whether their tuna is being sourced legally, sustainably, or in compliance with labor rights protections.
The problem is that many companies struggle with fragmented data and inconsistent reporting standards. That’s where GTA can provide a lot of support. We work with partners to simplify and streamline traceability, helping them implement critical tracking events (CTEs) and key data elements (KDEs) so they can track tuna from boat to plate.
We’re also pushing for 100 percent electronic monitoring (EM) on tuna vessels, advocating for public vessel tracking and transshipment oversight and supporting better interoperability between digital tracking systems.
