Task Force V

Reducing ocean plastics

Plastic pollution poses a grave threat to our oceans, affecting marine life, seafood production, and overall ocean health. With an alarming estimate of 322 million metric tons of plastic produced in 2015, approximately 79% of which is deposited in landfills or entered the natural environment, the urgency to address this global issue has never been more profound.

Task force leaders

Hiroyuki Sato

Manager Sustainability Group, Maruha Nichiro

Contact

Hisanori Kanno

Assistant General Manager, Sustainability Department, Nissui Group

Contact

SCIENCE LEADERSHIP

Dr. Robert Blasiak

Associate Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University

In response to this crisis, SeaBOS developed the “City to Sea” Framework, a comprehensive strategy targeting areas where the seafood industry can significantly reduce plastic pollution. Our management approach leverages scientific insights and harnesses innovative solutions to cut down plastics use. Initiatives such as biennial reporting on our plastics footprints, adoption of alternative materials, reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastics, alongside awareness campaigns, comprise our multipronged approach.

Goals agreed in October 2020

1. Provide at least biennial reporting on plastics packaging footprints, along with shared learning webinars during 2021 on innovative solutions to make plastics lighter; re-use, reduce, recycle, or make plastics compostable.

Goals agreed in October 2021

1. To continue City to Sea plastics strategy including reporting on our plastics footprints and reduction actions by October 2022.

Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainable use use of the oceans, seas and marine resources

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution

Key publications

Our actions & impact (2023)

Our member companies are united in their commitment to reduce plastic pollution. Below is an overview of the actions taken by our member companies.

Adopted a Strategy for Reducing Plastics

9/9

Disclosed Plastic Consumption

7/9

Disclosed Plastic Reuse

4/9

Impact:

Collectively pushing against plastic pollution

SeaBOS companies, in their commitment to ocean health, have collectively partnered with the Ocean Conservancy on an international Ocean Cleanup program, demonstrating the significance of industry-wide action against plastic pollution.

Through initiatives like a joint cleanup day led by the CEOs of the three Japanese SeaBOS companies, SeaBOS is spotlighting the issue of plastic pollution and reinforcing the importance of ocean stewardship among their workforces.

Managing and recovering discarded fishing gear

Thai Union has developed reusable models to decrease reliance on single-use plastic packaging. They’ve also partnered with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative to manage and recover discarded fishing gear.

Introducing non-Styrofoam packaging

Nissui is taking robust action by introducing non-Styrofoam packaging and enhancing fishing gear management rules using GGGI’s “Best Practice Framework”.

Implementing compostable packaging

Skretting has implemented compostable and post-consumer recycled packaging, underlining the possibilities of sustainable alternatives.

Strengthening buoys

Maruha Nichiro is advancing plastic reduction with a new production management system and strengthened buoy strength for aquaculture.

Repairing diligently

Kyokuyo’s approach includes diligent repair and maintenance to prevent plastic components of fishing nets and buoys from entering the ocean.

Developing reusable Q-pass tanks

CP Foods, have developed reusable Q-pass tanks for transporting shrimp post-larvae and redesigned packaging to reduce plastic usage, while also ensuring product safety and nutritional value. CP Foods is also focussing on reducing plastic use in their farm business and developing alternative packaging designs.

Science outlook

Scope, scale and urgency of action

Plastics have become ubiquitous in the environment, including marine ecosystems. Over 300 million metric tons of plastic are produced annually, with nearly 80% expected to enter landfills or the natural environment. An estimated 170 trillion plastic particles are floating in the ocean today, while thirty times as much is thought to have accumulated in sediment on the seafloor. Macroplastics from fishing activities entangle and kill marine life and seabirds, and have also been found to be the most prevalent human debris on coral reefs (see Figure). Meanwhile, microplastics (less than 5 mm in length) have been identified in the bodies of 1,288 marine species including over 750 fish species. According to the 2017 FAO report on Microplastics in Fisheries and Aquaculture, even the “worst-case scenario” of plastic ingestion due to contaminated seafood remained far below allowable daily intake levels for well-studied contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs, DDT, Bisphenol A and PBDEs. Yet, consumers remain deeply concerned about microplastics in their food (e.g. 63% of respondents in a 2020 study by the German government).

*Figure. Distribution of anthropogenic debris on coral reefs of the world. Copyright © 2023, Pinheiro et al., under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.*

Pathways forward

Companies can reduce the flow of plastic to the ocean by implementing comprehensive strategies that focus not just on recycling plastic waste, but systematically reducing use across the entire value chain. Advocating an overall reduction of plastic production and fully utilizing ocean cleanup efforts as a means of communication on broader issues of stewardship, responsibility and care for the environment can amplify the impact of such efforts. Since IUU fishing has also been correlated with incidences of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear, concerted efforts to address such activities represent an additional positive impact.

Case studies

Ocean Conservancy | SeaBOS Cleanup

Since 2021, over 5000 employees of SeaBOS member Companies have actively participated in ocean plastic cleanup activities, removing over 25 tonnes of polluting material globally.

City to Sea Framework

SeaBOS developed the “City to Sea” Framework, a comprehensive strategy targeting areas where the seafood industry can signiﬁcantly reduce plastic pollution.

Japanese Company Collaboration

The three Japanese SeaBOS member companies – Nissui, Maruha-Nichiro and Kyokuyo – collaborated on a beach cleanup event in Tokyo in the summer of 2023. Over 200 staﬀ members took part, including the three company CEO’s.

CEO Sponsors

Masaru Ikemi

Maruha Nichiro Corporation

Lead companies

Lead scientific institutions

ALL TASK FORCES

TASK FORCE I

Adressing IUU fishing and eliminating modern slavery

Contributing to the elimination of IUU fishing and forced labour in seafood production, and mitigating the impacts on endangered species.

Task Force II

Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Healthy ocean ecosystems and rich biodiversity are vital components of ocean stewardship. This Task Force focuses on developing practices that minimize impacts of seafood production on endangered species, and to develop solutions that enhance marine ecosystems.

Task Force III

Antimicrobial resistance

To work with governments towards sustainable seafood production, as well as mechanisms to reduce antibiotics in aquaculture.

Task Force IV

Climate resilience

To identify global solutions to the impacts of climate change on sustainable seafood production, as well as the ability of seafood production for humanity, along with a healthy ocean, to play a role in the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change impacts.

Task Force V