12/01/2023

Thai Union and The Nature Conservancy release first Partnership Progress Report on full tuna supply chain transparency

BANGKOK – January 12, 2023 – Thai Union Group PLC, one of the world’s largest seafood companies, and leading global conservation organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC), have released the inaugural progress report on their partnership on a pioneering commitment to improve on the water transparency in global tuna supply chains.

Since March 2021, Thai Union and TNC have been working together on a ground-breaking commitment, leading the way for a more responsible industry. This will see that the tuna Thai Union produces is sourced from vessels that are confident in the way they conduct their fishing activities by permitting monitoring at sea. Thai Union’s SeaChange® sustainability strategy is committed to addressing illegal, unrelated and unreported (IUU) fishing practices. This work will support demonstrations of legality and reporting, encouraging regulations to be followed.

During the first year of the partnership, the two partners achieved the following major milestones:

The focus of 2023 will include continuing the work that has already started, such as increasing observer coverage and advocating for wider supporting changes, investigating using EM for social aspects of sustainability and advancing technology solutions that can be widely adopted.

Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, said: “The world’s oceans are in trouble. Threats like the climate crisis, overfishing, and pollution are creating incredible risks for coastal communities and global food supplies. Increasing supply chain transparency in the world’s fisheries through electronic monitoring is a powerful way to improve fisheries management and accountability. The first year of our partnership with Thai Union has seen great progress toward increasing transparency in global tuna supply chains.”

Thiraphong Chansiri, President and CEO of Thai Union, said: “This partnership is an excellent example of what can be achieved when leading actors come together to find solutions that will contribute to making sure our seas are sustainable now and for future generations. We can reflect proudly on our achievements so far and I look forward to the positive impact Thai Union and TNC continue to create through our commitment to increased electronic monitoring and supply chain transparency.”

 

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organisation dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About Thai Union

Thai Union Group PCL is the world’s seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 45 years.

Today, Thai Union is regarded as one of the world’s leading seafood producers and is one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 141.0 billion (US$ 4.5 billion) and a global workforce of more than 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable, innovative seafood products.

The company’s global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, Hawesta, and Rügen Fisch, Thai-leading brands SEALECT, Fisho, Qfresh, Monori, OMG Meat, Bellotta and Marvo, and ingredient and supplement brands UniQ®BONE, UniQ®DHA and ZEAvita.

As a company committed to “Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans,” Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a founding participating company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and current Chair of Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS). Thai Union’s ongoing work through its SeaChange® sustainability strategy was recognized when the company was listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the ninth consecutive year in 2022. The company was ranked number one on the Food Products Industry Index of the DJSI, a position it previously held in 2018 and 2019. Thai Union was also named to the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the sixth straight year in 2021. Find out more about the Group’s sustainability at seachangesustainability.org.

 

The Nature Conservancy media contact

Email: media@tnc.org

 

Thai Union media contacts

Thailand/Asia

Wiriyaporn Posayanonda

Head of External Communication

Mobile: +66 2298-0024

E-mail: wiriyaporn.posayanonda@thaiunion.com

 

United States

Craig Rexroad

Senior Director of Corporate Communications & Government Relations

Phone: +1424-397-8610

E-mail: craig.rexroad@thaiunion.com

 

Europe/Africa

Markus Reber
European Communications Director

Mobile: +44 7779 559551
E-mail: markus.reber@thaiunion.com