Partner Login
menu
Governments and intergovernmental organizations play a crucial role in enforcing regulations and upholding international commitments to promote responsible practices in the seafood industry. These efforts are rooted in foundational frameworks like the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), which defines principles for sustainable fisheries, and the Technical Guidelines on Aquaculture Certification, which establish standards for responsible aquaculture.
Putting these foundational documents into practice requires action through international commitments including efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2009 Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA). This agreement mandates countries to block illegally caught fish from entering their ports. Additionally, governments are tasked with safeguarding crew welfare under the International Labor Organization Work in Fishing Convention (ILO 188), ensuring decent working conditions for fishers.
A key element in enforcing regulations is traceability through the seafood supply chain – enabled by the real-time exchange of standardized, digital data. The capture of comprehensive records of activity from vessel to port to market, helps to ensure illegal products are identified and blocked from entering the market. While the GDST Standard was initially designed to address challenges in wild-capture fisheries, including the combatting of IUU fishing, it also encompass aquaculture, which constitutes the majority of global seafood production by volume. Traceability in aquaculture is vital for verifying responsible farming practices, ensuring product authenticity, and supporting international trade.
This page provides resources and guidance to help governments establish interoperable, digital traceability systems that can support their international obligations. While government systems do not need to be fully GDST-capable to achieve traceability, they should be able to receive and utilize data compliant with GDST standards which is increasingly recognised as the seafood industry benchmark for collecting, sharing and verifying data about seafood products. Ensuring interoperability between government and industry systems enhances the utility of industry data, strengthens regulatory oversight, and supports effective enforcement.
Over the past decade, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has emphasized the critical need for traceability and standardized data to ensure responsible management of ocean resources.
The following article maps the evolution of efforts to implement traceability systems in the industry, focusing on the FAO’s leadership and the growing role of the GDST in driving global alignment toward a fully traceable seafood supply chain. It is an essential starting point for understanding how we reached this pivotal moment and where the industry is heading next.
This list is ordered chronologically, starting with the most recent document.
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 (SOFIA) from FAO addresses critical gaps in seafood traceability and certification, highlighting their importance for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management. In particular, the report discusses the traceability challenges facing the industry, including fragmented data systems and the need for clearer standards (pages 176-178). The GDST standards are explicitly referenced in a table on page 178, illustrating their role in closing these gaps through standardized critical tracking events (CTEs) and key data elements (KDEs), as outlined in earlier FAO guidance documents.
Provides practical strategies for governments to implement end-to-end seafood traceability systems. It highlights GDST standards' role in ensuring interoperability and regulatory compliance while supporting small-scale producers. The document emphasizes flexibility, inclusivity, and international cooperation to enhance traceability and sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture.
Supports national authorities in implementing Catch Documentation Schemes (CDS) to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It details legal frameworks, information requirements, and integration with monitoring and control systems. Governments can use this resource to strengthen national and international fisheries management through improved data validation and traceability.
Explores how seafood traceability systems benefit beyond regulatory compliance, including supply chain optimization, market access, and risk management. It reviews policy incentives, existing traceability standards, and success stories to guide stakeholders. Governments can use this resource to improve traceability for sustainable fisheries management.
Explores blockchain's potential in seafood value chains, detailing its role in traceability, legality, transparency, and food safety. It reviews smart contracts, critical tracking events (CTEs), and key data elements (KDEs) while addressing implementation challenges and opportunities. The guide aids stakeholders in leveraging blockchain for sustainable fisheries management.
Outlines best practices for establishing national seafood traceability systems, addressing principles, performance criteria, and international cooperation. It focuses on combating IUU fishing by improving compliance, vessel monitoring, and control measures. The guidelines serve as a practical tool for strengthening traceability and governance in fisheries.
Includes technical papers, policy briefs, and guidelines on fisheries and aquaculture. It covers topics like resource management, sustainable practices, market development, and technology adoption. Designed for practitioners and policymakers, it provides actionable insights to advance sustainable seafood practices and improve global fisheries governance.
Provides sector-specific advice on implementing traceability systems for various fisheries and agricultural products across multiple Caribbean nations. It outlines minimum requirements, best practices, and practical steps for managing traceability in operations and supply chains, ensuring efficient information sharing and compliance.
This FAO resource provides an in-depth overview of international actions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It explores binding and non-binding instruments, port State measures, flag State responsibilities, and special provisions for developing States. The guide supports governments in aligning policies with international standards to reduce IUU fishing.
Practical design options for implementing tuna catch documentation schemes (CDS) as tools for monitoring, control, and surveillance. It clarifies CDS objectives, evaluates implementation challenges, and proposes solutions for combatting IUU fishing. Insights are drawn from global stakeholders and the Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project.
Focuses on harmonizing seafood traceability standards to combat IUU fishing and promote transparency across supply chains. It highlights the integration of data systems, best practices for information sharing, and alignment with international norms. Governments can use this as a roadmap for effective and interoperable traceability systems.
Analyzes value chain dynamics in fisheries and aquaculture across 14 countries, comparing small- and large-scale sectors. It examines price transmission, gender roles, and trade impacts, offering country-specific insights and global policy recommendations. The resource highlights strategies to strengthen value chains, improve livelihoods, and address trade inequities.
Outlines best practices for certifying responsible aquaculture operations. It emphasizes food safety, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and animal health and welfare. These guidelines serve as a critical framework for ensuring ethical production, supporting trade, and building consumer trust in aquaculture products.
Provides universal principles for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management. It addresses conservation, governance, and trade practices, serving as a foundational guide for policymakers and industry leaders to implement ethical and sustainable practices globally.
The Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability (SALT) has highlighted the barriers governments often face in implementing digital traceability systems, while also providing tools and solutions to overcome them.
FishWise now carries the services and community created by SALT.
Below, you’ll find a suite of essential tools and guidance to support governments aligning with international traceability standards, improving regulatory oversight, and ensuring interoperability with industry systems.
