The seafood industry faces many challenges, particularly when it comes to sustainability and ethical practices. According to the Seafood Forecast, global demand for seafood will keep growing until 2050, and production will increase significantly to meet this demand. However, current conditions show that dwindling fish stocks and rising production costs present significant challenges. As a result, seafood companies are cutting costs by exploiting cheap labor, selling products from questionable sources, and using outdated methods that fail to prevent forced labor and environmental harm (Seafood Source: 2024). The complex and opaque supply chain conceals these practices, contributing to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing, and modern slavery at sea (Greenpeace: 2023).
Addressing these intertwined issues—dwindling fish stocks, rising production costs, exploitation of cheap labor, and the use of outdated methods that fail to prevent forced labor and environmental harm—requires comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Therefore, a concerted effort is needed to support and transform the traceability and seafood sector.
To support these efforts, as a global leader in sustainable supply chain management, we are proud to collaborate with the Conservation Alliance for Sustainable Seafood Solutions (CASS). Since 2018, we have been actively engaged in seascapes, and this partnership underscores our steadfast commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices within the seafood industry. Through this new collaboration, we aim to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability in seafood & seaweed sourcing, contributing to healthier oceans and resilient coastal communities.
Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions (CASS) is a global community working to protect the ocean and the people who depend on it by promoting sustainable and responsible seafood production, sourcing, and consumption (Solution for Seafood: n.d.). Aligning with the SDG's timeline, CASS sets a goal that by 2030, at least 75% of global seafood production will be environmentally sustainable or make verifiable improvements, and safeguards are in place to ensure social responsibility. Also, the responsible seafood movement in 2030 will be well-informed on social responsibility, partnering with and amplifying the work of human and labor rights leaders and other experts, and implementing best practices. Advancing the responsibility of the seafood supply chain, the Alliance's membership body is an international community of organizations and subject area experts that work together to make connections, build capacity, as well as leverage tools, approaches, and experience, working toward the Alliance's vision of a world with an abundance of seafood where workers, communities, and our ocean all thrive.
Through our product, KoltiTrace MIS, we support this vision by assisting clients and their suppliers in determining the source of their seafood. We ensure that the seafood comes from responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture operations. Our suite of mobile applications, including KoltiTrace Business Mobile for transparency and traceability, Producer Mobile, and Input Distribution Mobile, collectively manage and monitor the entire supply chain, from production to retail. This platform plays a critical role in improving supplier management and empowering producers by providing real-time data and insights. With these tools, all products can be traced back to their source, promoting responsible sourcing and sustainable practices.
Additionally, KoltiTrace MIS supports QR code traceability. This feature allows consumers to access detailed information about the origin and journey of their seafood products, further enhancing transparency and trust in the supply chain. Overall, our comprehensive suite of services and technological solutions is crucial in advancing sustainability and traceability in the seafood industry. We ensure that practices are environmentally conscious and ethically responsible.
Our Head of Sector, Sarah Harding, stated, "Supply chain transparency is one of the biggest challenges in seafood and aquatic resources. Our supply chain management system, KoltiTrace MIS, enables suppliers to trace the source of their seafood, ensuring it comes from responsibly managed production areas and addressing concerns such as unsustainable practices, human rights abuses, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and labor violations. KoltiTrace MIS assists suppliers and buyers in prioritizing sustainable sourcing, whether it comes from seafood certification standards or improvement programs. Through comprehensive dashboards and reports, KoltiTrace MIS provides the necessary transparency and traceability supporting compliance with regulations like the US's Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), and Japan's strict traceability regulations. This support helps buyers and importers adhere to these regulations effectively".
Beyond traceability, we also offer our Boots-on-the-Ground service, KoltiSkills, which provides training and education on good financial practices, good aquaculture practices, and environmental stewardship. KoltiSkills ensures that smallholder producers and SMEs are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve and manage certifications while adhering to all relevant regulations.
Additionally, we offer financial inclusion services through pay-later options with KoltiPay, which supports producers by providing access to necessary financial resources, benefiting initiatives focused on sustainable farming practices, such as pond renovations and quality input management. Ultimately contributing to the long-term health and productivity of their operations and the broader environment.
We are committed to advancing sustainable practices in the seafood industry and actively seek collaboration with like-minded organizations. By becoming a member of the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions (CASS), we tap into a vast network of seafood experts, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders dedicated to promoting sustainability. "This membership offers a valuable opportunity to learn and collaborate with other organizations dedicated to sustainability goals," Sarah stated. "Through these collaborations, we can enhance and refine our solutions tailored to the seafood industry. While our current applications are predominantly focused on agriculture, we have made significant progress in aquaculture sectors such as seaweed and shrimp. However, there is still a need to refine our approaches further to address the unique challenges of seafood traceability. Access to the collective knowledge and resources of CASS can significantly aid in this development process."
Our collaboration with CASS marks a significant step forward in tackling the challenges facing the seafood industry. By leveraging technology and innovation, we aim to improve the transparency and accountability of seafood and seaweed supply chains. Advanced tracking systems and real-time monitoring can provide greater visibility into the journey of seafood products from harvest to market. This transparency is crucial in overcoming the industry's challenges and ensuring the integrity of seafood products. Talk to our expert today to learn how we can transform your seafood supply chain!
Resources:
Holland, J. (2024). DNV: Global seafood demand predicted to soar through 2050 in line with population growth. SeafoodSource. Retrieved from https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/premium/supply-trade/dnv-global-seafood-demand-predicted-to-soar-through-2050-in-line-with-population-growth
Heidenreich, S. (2023). 5 Challenges to Seafood Traceability*. Greenpeace USA. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/5-challenges-to-seafood-traceability/
Writer: Kumara Anggita, Content Writer
Contributor: Sarah Harding, Head of Sector
Editor: Daniel Prasetyo, Head of Public Relations and Corporate Communications
About the Writer
Kumara Anggita, serving as Koltiva's dedicated Content Writer, brings a wealth of experience from her six-year tenure in journalism in the fields of humanities and lifestyle, as well as her role as a writer in the tech industry. Her deep-rooted passion for gender equality and sustainability spurred her to enhance her reporting and storytelling skills through the EmPower Media Bootcamp by UN Women. Now, Kumara utilizes her platform to advocate for sustainable practices and gender equality through her compelling writing.
Great post! It’s inspiring to see Koltiva's commitment to improving seafood sustainability and transparency. Your partnership with CASS and using KoltiTrace MIS and KoltiSkills are key steps toward tackling overfishing, labor issues, and environmental harm. Excited to see the positive impact on the seafood supply chain and ocean health!
Exciting to see Koltiva's partnership with the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions! 🌊 By enhancing sustainability and traceability through advanced tech, you're making a real difference in the seafood industry's future. Looking forward to witnessing the positive impact on ocean health and coastal communities!