Transitioning Fisheries

Fishery Improvement Projects

A fishery improvement project (FIP) draws together fishers, industry, researchers, government and NGOs to help improve fishing practices and management. Through a transparent and comprehensive approach, FIPs aim to increase a fishery’s performance and help it meet the requirements of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.

Across the seafood supply chain, WWF is working with retailers, food service companies, manufacturers, and suppliers to responsibly source seafood from fisheries that are MSC certified. By encouraging non-certified fisheries to improve their practices and ultimately meet the MSC standard, seafood buyers can help increase the performance of their source fisheries and decrease negative impacts on the water.

By supporting FIPs, WWF and its partners are helping to conserve marine ecosystems and protect the livelihoods of the millions of people who depend on them.

FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

A fisherman tries to sell three lobsters to local shoppers in a harbor in Nassau, Bahamas.

Peru Jumbo Flying Squid

Yellow fin tuna (Thunnus albacares) shoal caught in purse seiner fishing nets, Pacific ocean, Mexico.

Vietnam Yellowfin Tuna

G-FAST FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

While WWF has primarily engaged in sustainability efforts with major global tuna brands, retailers, and consumers, The Global FIP Alliance for Sustainable Tuna (G-FAST) model aims to improve sustainability practices through directly engaging with tuna fishing vessel owners in formal comprehensive FIPs.

This model is successfully demonstrating that motivated fishers — uniquely positioned at the beginning of the supply chain — are effective agents for developing best practices and implementing successful improvements in gear and procedures.

Atlantic Ocean Tuna – OPAGAC

Eastern Pacific Ocean Tuna – OPAGAC

Eastern Pacific Ocean Tuna – TUNACONS

Indian Ocean Tuna – OPAGAC

Indian Ocean Tuna – SIOTI

Western & Central Pacific Ocean Tuna – OPAGAC

MULTI-FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

To advance fisheries management reform at scale, WWF is implementing a larger-scale, holistic approach to fisheries management by engaging multiple fisheries within a priority region simultaneously to improve their environmental and social performance.

Chile Small Pelagics

FISHERY PROGRESS

FisheryProgress makes verified fishery improvement project (FIP) progress information accessible and reliable for hundreds of industry and NGO users. To learn more about FIP progress, visit FisheryProgress.org

FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

We use a stepwise process to identify sustainability issues in a fishery, implement improvements, and report on results that occur in the five stages of a FIP

Stage 1

Scoping & Development
The fishery’s performance is evaluated against the MSC standard and stakeholders are recruited to participate in the project.

Stage 2

Workplan & Launch
Project participants and workplan are finalized and posted publicly. An associated budget must be adopted by the participants.

Stage 3

Implementation
Stakeholders work together to address the fishery’s shortcomings, track progress publicly, and course correct if needed.

Stage 4

Improvements in Fishing Practices or Management
The fishery has modified fishing practices, or improved fisheries policy or management.

Stage 5

On the Water Change
The fishery has achieved verifiable improvements on the water, such as reduced fishing mortality, habitat impacts, and bycatch.

Get Involved

Become a FIP Participant

By signing on to support a FIP you are joining forces with other leaders in the industry that seek to help conserve marine ecosystems, protect livelihoods, and increase the number of sustainable fisheries and the overall supply of sustainable seafood.

SUPPORT A FISHERY

A fisherman pulls a trap from a lobster fishing boat off the coast of Honduras

Latest News

Investors Prioritize Traceable Seafood as a Way to Combat IUU and Overfishing

34 investors representing US $5.9 trillion join new initiative to help advance seafood traceability

Seafood is one of the world’s most highly traded and valuable commodities, with global demand expected to double by 2050. Yet a significant amount of seafood-related assets and revenue – up to US $2.89 trillion over the next 15 years – may be at risk due to overfishing, habitat degradation, nutrient pollution, and disease. These negative impacts can pose significant financial risks to seafood companies – and their investors, lenders, and insurers – by reducing fisheries productivity, increasing supply chain volatility, and causing serious reputational damage.

A New Approach for Holistic Fisheries and Aquaculture Improvement

Picture a fishing community rich with coastal mangrove forests and highly productive waters that has sustained fishing for generations. Aware of the need to maintain healthy fish stocks, the community has adopted better fishing practices like using more selective fishing gear, implementing closure periods, and establishing no-take areas near reefs and in mangrove forests, all of which have helped to sustain their livelihoods and a thriving ecosystem.

But demand for seafood continues to grow. The surrounding community puts increased pressure on the same fish stock, begins developing irresponsible aquaculture operations in mangrove forests, and occurrences of inequitable labor practices have increased. Biodiversity is in decline, climate change is shifting fish stocks out of reach, and the need for improved social equity in the seafood sector is coming to light. These pressures threaten the livelihood, opportunity, and well-being of local communities and seafood companies, and the national government is under scrutiny for a lack of action to address issues.

Kroger: A Sustainability Policy Fit for Business & Planet

In light of the recent publishing of Kroger’s 2023 Environmental & Social Governance Report, we interviewed Lisa Zwack, Head of Sustainability at Kroger, to reflect on the US retailer’s sustainability journey, their achievements, and plans for the future. Additionally, we learned about Kroger’s Seafood Sustainability Policy and the goals they have already accomplished, as well as the work still to be done. Furthermore, we examine Kroger’s commitment to a nature-positive approach in the seafood sector and how they are addressing the importance of biodiversity preservation as well as seafood traceability in their operations.