Sustainable use and procurement of marine resources

Awareness of ethical consumption is increasing worldwide, and there is a growing momentum in Japan to procure and sell sustainable seafood. TOREI aims to achieve sustainable procurement by promoting the procurement of raw materials produced using sustainable methods and eliminating excessive fishing and IUU fishing (*).

As a company that handles seafood, TOREI has been implementing initiatives such as sourcing sustainable seafood and not handling seafood related to IUU fishing (*). In particular, with regard to tuna species, which have been viewed as problematic due to environmental resource issues, international overfishing, and social human rights issues, we will introduce tuna fish in August 2022 with the aim of contributing to solving these issues. We have established procurement guidelines related to the above. We will continue to promote initiatives in accordance with these guidelines from both the perspectives of business continuity from a long-term perspective and the stable supply of marine products to the next generation.

*IUU fishing: Refers to fishing that is conducted illegally, unreported, and unregulated. Poaching, overfishing, and inaccurately reported fishing practices are major causes of the deterioration of the marine environment and the decline of marine resources, and human rights issues have also become an issue in recent years. TOREI has been working to prevent the handling of seafood produced by IUU fishing, but we are working to further strengthen our system through supply chain surveys and the formulation of procurement policies.

Procurement guidelines for tuna

Recognizing that a company that does not take into account the global environment cannot survive, we strive to contribute to the development of a better society, and in all corporate activities such as purchasing, processing, manufacturing, storage, logistics, sales, and services. We are actively and sincerely working to preserve and improve the global environment. We recognize that the sustainable use of safe and secure marine resources is the basis of our corporate activities. Our aim is to procure raw materials that are produced and procured in a sustainable manner, and to contribute to solving issues such as international overfishing, IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing, and human rights violations. We have established procurement guidelines for tuna (Atlantic/Pacific bluefin tuna, southern bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, albacore, and bonito) and will promote initiatives based on these guidelines.

A) Regarding environmental procurement policy for tuna species

Our company is promoting the following initiatives in order to procure tuna in a sustainable manner based on scientific evidence, from both the perspectives of business continuity from a long-term perspective and the stable supply of marine products to the next generation. I'll go.

1. ① We will work with our suppliers to meet the sustainable fishing standards for wild tuna set by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) certified certification program (GSSI Certification). Cooperate to infiltrate and further develop the fisheries industry.
2. ② Actively cooperate with companies and suppliers aiming to obtain GSSI certification to introduce Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) based on scientific and objective plans.
3. ③ In order to avoid the risk of tuna procurement due to IUU fishing as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the main data elements recommended by GDST (Global Dialogue for Seafood Traceability) must be included and interoperable traceability must be established.
4. ④ Support the implementation of a robust monitoring and supervision system based on international treaties regarding transshipment at sea.
5. ⑤ Support fishing vessels that comply with the requirement to have lifeguards on board longline vessels based on international treaties, and support improving boarding rates and strengthening boarding management systems through electronic monitoring, etc.
6. ⑥ Provide the necessary cooperation to regional tuna fisheries management organizations and related ministries and agencies to achieve this procurement guideline.
7. ⑦ Create opportunities to exchange opinions with stakeholders such as NGOs to realize sustainable procurement of natural tuna.

1. ① Support the establishment of standards for aquaculture/farmed tuna through GSSI certification, and actively cooperate in this regard.
2. ② Actively cooperate with aquaculture/farming suppliers aiming to obtain GSSI certification so that they can carry out activities based on scientific and objective plans.
3. ③ In order to avoid handling of tuna caught through IUU fishing as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, establish interoperable traceability with the key data elements recommended by GDST.
4. ④ Provide the necessary cooperation to regional tuna fisheries management organizations and related ministries and agencies to achieve this procurement guideline.
5. ⑤ Create opportunities to exchange opinions with NGOs and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable aquaculture/procurement of farmed tuna.
6. ⑥ Actively cooperate to obtain GSSI certification for feed resources used for aquaculture and farming.

B) Regarding social procurement policy for tuna species

We believe that respect for human rights is an important element in doing business around the world. In order to address IUU and human rights issues in the tuna supply chain and aim to realize a responsible supply chain, we will work with various stakeholders including suppliers to respond based on the policies of our shareholder Mitsubishi Corporation. We will take steps to resolve issues.

Human Rights Policy (from Mitsubishi Corporation corporate website)

C) Initiatives based on this guideline

Our company will take the following efforts to effectively realize the procurement policies in A) and B) above.

attempt		goal
Of the tuna we procure, 30% will be GSSI-certified products.	▶	2030
Actively cooperate with suppliers implementing FIP	▶	As needed
Organize and confirm the collection status of major data elements in accordance with GDST standards	▶	2023
Conducting voluntary risk assessments of the tuna suppliers we procure	▶	In progress
By conducting external audits on the tuna suppliers we procure, we will recognize risks and issues in the supply chain, share audit results with relevant suppliers, and jointly consider and implement improvement measures.	▶	Starting from 2022, By 2025 Make it a regular activity
Collaborate with Mitsubishi Corporation to participate in dialogue with stakeholders such as related ministries, suppliers, NGOs, etc.	▶	Starting from 2022
In collaboration with Mitsubishi Corporation, we will work with suppliers to disseminate and develop certification programs to realize a responsible supply chain, and to create an environment where work is rewarding and humane as defined by international treaties.	▶	Consideration will start from 2022

Certification serves as a yardstick for determining the sustainability of marine products, proving that they comply with certain standards. Currently, certified products have not yet fully penetrated the Japanese market, but you can often see products with the "Fisheries Eco Label" attached, which indicates that the product has been certified, mainly at major mass retailers. Opportunities are increasing and needs are expected to increase in the future. TOREI also plans to expand its "certified product procurement capabilities" and "domestic supply chain."

We conduct supply chain surveys of our business partners that include questions about their efforts and response status regarding human rights, social, and environmental risks. This survey utilizes the platform of Mitsubishi Corporation, our parent company, to identify products that are judged to have high environmental and social risks as "commodities subject to investigation."
Among the products handled by TOREI, tuna and shrimp are the subject of the investigation, and there are concerns that the business activities of the Mitsubishi Corporation Group, including our company, are having a negative impact on human rights and the environment, or are likely to have a negative impact. Mitsubishi Corporation has established a grievance mechanism (grievance mechanism) to receive consultations from outside stakeholders regarding matters related to Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Corporation.

• TOREI's sustainability
• Materiality (important issues)
• Sustainable use and procurement of marine resources
• Reducing environmental impact
• Improving economic productivity
• Creating an attractive workplace