StarKist® and its employees are committed to leading the global seafood category by providing great-tasting and healthy products that meet the needs of today’s consumers and customers, while remaining committed to responsible practices.
Dolphin Safe
StarKist is proud to be the first company to adopt a dolphin-safe policy in April 1990. StarKist tuna is labeled with a special “Dolphin Safe” logo. We condemn the use of driftnets and gillnets because they are indiscriminate fishing methods that trap dolphins, whales and other marine life along with the intended catch of fish. StarKist’s dolphin-safe policy and “Dolphin Safe” logo reflect full compliance with the federal Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act (“DPCIA”). Additional information about the DPCIA and the U.S. government’s Tuna Tracking and Verification Program can be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/dolphin-safe.
INTERNATIONAL SEAFOOD SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION (ISSF)
StarKist is a founding member of ISSF, a global coalition of scientists. The tuna industry and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, promote science-based initiatives for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna stocks, as well as reducing bycatch and promoting a healthy ecosystem.
ISSF’s strategic focus:
- Cooperate closely with the world’s major regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and their scientists
- Follow and adopt sound scientific recommendations for the sustainable management of targeted fish stocks
ANTI-FINNING POLICY
As a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, StarKist denounces the practice of shark finning, which is the retention of any fins while discarding the carcass at sea. StarKist adheres to a strict policy against shark finning and will only purchase fish from vessel-owning companies that share in our anti-finning principles. All vessel-owning companies that supply StarKist must have a published policy prohibiting shark finning on board its vessels, and strictly adhere to the guidelines set forth. In addition, we do not purchase from any vessel that has been found to have finned for two years following the date of the most recent finding. If retained, all sharks must be landed with fins naturally attached.
RESPONSIBLE SOURCING THROUGH PROACTIVE VESSEL REGISTER (PVR) AND SUSTAINABLE SOURCES
As a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), StarKist is proud to support responsible and sustainable tuna fisheries through the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR). ISSF created the PVR to provide vessel owners with an opportunity to identify themselves as active participants in meaningful tuna sustainability efforts. At the same time, the PVR provides validated information to tuna purchasers and interested stakeholders that reflect the positive steps each vessel is taking in implementing a series of commitments designed to improve tuna fishing practices. It is important to note, however, that when a vessel chooses to list on the PVR, they are not seeking or securing endorsement by ISSF, rather they are committing to being transparent in their practices. StarKist is committed to increasing the amount of fish that we source from vessels that are part of the PVR. Specifically, we commit to:
- Work with our suppliers to make sure that they are providing us with an increasing amount of supply from vessels on the PVR
- Directly engage our suppliers and boat owners and encourage them to partner with us by joining the PVR
- Implement an internal program to review and monitor our progress, and find innovative ways to increase our sourcing from vessels listed on the PVR
For this reporting period, StarKist Co. purchased 100% of our purse seine tuna supply from ISSF’s PVR listed vessels, and 52% of our longline purchases were from vessels on the ISSF PVR. StarKist is committed to increasing purchases from longline vessels registered on the PVR.
As an ISSF participating company and supporter of the ISSF Conservation Measures, we are proud to publish the percentage of our purchases related to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, Comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), and ISSF participating companies:
1. Purchases from Fishery Source categories:
- Fisheries certified against the then current MSC Standard and eligible to use the MSC label – 55.8%
- Fisheries that have entered full assessment for MSC certification – 24.3%
- Fisheries in the MSC Fisheries In Transition to MSC (ITM) program – 0%
- Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed and have achieved progress within at least the past 24 months; or are in their initial year of listing – 19.9%
- Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed but have not achieved progress in the prior 24 months – 0%
- None of the above – 0%
2. Purchases from Supplier Source categories:
- ISSF Participating Companies – 40.1%
- Data Check Companies – 0.7%
- Direct from Vessels – 47.9%
- None of the above – 11.3%
At StarKist, we endeavor to continue our role as a leader in the sustainable use of the world’s tuna stocks by decreasing our purchases of fish which classify as “none of the above”.
StarKist is committed to continuously increasing our purchases from MSC certified fisheries. In fact, All tuna and salmon procured by StarKist® are purchased from third-party suppliers that meet the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard for sustainable fishing or are working toward certification, including those participating in a comprehensive, time bound Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) rated C or better. By the end of 2025, StarKist aims to purchase 100% of our tuna and salmon from MSC certified fisheries.
**Reported data above applicable to calendar year 2023.
Sustainable Sourcing and Indian Ocean Yellowfin
StarKist supports the recommendation from the IOTC Scientific Committee to reduce yellowfin catches in the Indian Ocean to at least below 403,000 tonnes annually to support rebuilding of this important tuna stock. Although the IOTC agreed to adopt an interim rebuilding plan, several parties have objected to the requirements making it likely that the recommendation from the IOTC Scientific Committee will be surpassed.
As a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), StarKist also supports ISSF Conservation Measure 1.3 which requires participating companies to reduce annual sourcing of Indian Ocean origin yellowfin by 11% calculated with respect to the company’s average annual level of Indian Ocean yellowfin purchases from 2017-2019. StarKist is committed to meeting this requirement. For each calendar year that this measure remains in effect, StarKist will target an 11% reduction from our average purchases from 2017-2019.
Protecting Our People
StarKist is committed to ensuring our people have access to safe, fair working environments. These values are demonstrated through our StarKist Code of Conduct and extend throughout our supply chain.
As a Sedex member we are committed to being a responsible business, sourcing responsibly, and improving ethical standards and working conditions within the supply chain.
Sedex is one of the world’s leading ethical trade service providers, working to improve working conditions in global supply chains. Sedex provides practical tools, services and a community network to help companies improve their responsible and sustainable business practices and sources responsibly.
For more information regarding Sedex and their published standards, please visit their website at www.sedex.com .
We also extend this commitment to our seafood supply chain through our membership in the Seafood Task Force (STF). STF has developed comprehensive standards regarding fair labor practices for the fishing industry through STF’s Code of Conduct and Vessel Auditable Standards. StarKist endeavors to ensure that its seafood suppliers acknowledge and comply with these standards.
For more information regarding the Seafood Task Force and their published standards, please visit their website at https://www.seafoodtaskforce.global/ .
THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPARENCY IN SUPPLY CHAINS ACT OF 2010
The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act (the “TSCA”) requires certain companies in California to disclose publicly their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their direct supply chain for goods offered for sale. Below is a brief description of StarKist’s efforts in respect of the TSCA’s requirements:
Verification: StarKist has engaged a third-party auditing firm to conduct audits of some of our major product suppliers in an effort to address the potential risks for human trafficking and/or slavery in our supply chain.
Supplier Audits: StarKist has engaged a third-party auditing firm to conduct announced audits of some of our major suppliers in an effort to evaluate their compliance with applicable anti-slavery and human trafficking laws. The objectives of such third-party audits include, but are not limited to the following: (1) verifying supplier conformance to applicable law; (2) assessing a supplier’s hiring practices and management policies; and (3) identification of good practices and opportunities for improvement.
Certification: StarKist asks its major suppliers to execute and deliver StarKist’s Letter of Certification wherein a supplier represents that it complies with the laws regarding slavery and human trafficking of the country or countries in which the supplier does business.
Internal Accountability: StarKist has begun the process of developing internal accountability standards and procedures for determining whether employees and contractors are meeting our company standards regarding slavery and trafficking.
Training: All StarKist salaried employees are required, annually, to participate in an online Human Trafficking Awareness Training program. The awareness training was developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
