The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Tuna Transparency Pledge is a global initiative aimed at addressing unsustainable and illegal fishing practices at sea. Signatories aspire to advance 100% on-the-water monitoring across all industrial tuna fishing vessels within their supply chains or jurisdictions by 2027. Several new signatories have taken the pledge, including Carrefour, Aramark, Culimer USA, Lusamerica Foods, Pacific Island Tuna and the Association of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels (AGAC).
Tuna ranks as one of the most prized and popular fish in the world. TNC said five million tons of tuna are produced annually with a dockside value of $10 billion. However, the organization said, lack of on-the-water monitoring and data poses a significant obstacle to sustainably managing global tuna fisheries, protecting ocean wildlife, and delivering tuna products that inspire consumer confidence. Often, fisheries authorities and supply chain actors lack the data needed to ensure that the vessels they source from are complying with fishing regulations and social standards.
The Tuna Transparency Pledge launched in April 2024 and has grown to include major retailers, suppliers and food service companies across North America and Europe, as well as other key global tuna industry actors. Having eyes on the water, including electronic monitoring—the use of onboard video cameras, GPS, and sensors to monitor and verify fishing activities—gives members confidence that tuna is being caught sustainably. It also helps create a level playing field for the many law-abiding fishers around the globe.
“Tuna plays an important role in our offer, as one of our most popular seafood products. However, tuna supply chains bear human risk and biodiversity challenges that we must address,” said Carine Kraus, Chief Impact Officer, Carrefour. “To transform this market, we must together adopt sustainable practices toward this resource, which is today affected by overfishing. To this end, Carrefour joined last year The Global Tuna Alliance to strengthen the sustainability of its tuna supplies along its supply chain. Today, we want to go further in tuna preservation and are proud to be part of The Tuna Transparency Pledge, which enables us to lead global actions.”
Industrial fishing occurs on more than half of the ocean’s surface—more than three times the area covered by land-based agriculture. Three billion people worldwide rely on seafood as a significant source of protein. As demand for these products increases to meet the needs of nearly 10 billion people over the next 30 years, so too does the pressure placed on critical marine ecosystems and the species that depend on them. Already, 90% of global fisheries have reached their maximum sustainable levels.
“At Culimer USA, social responsibility is at the core of our mission,” said Renee Perry, Vice President, CSR & ESG, Culimer USA. “We are dedicated to ensuring that our seafood supply chains are not only transparent and sustainable but also uphold the rights and livelihoods of the people and communities they touch. By supporting initiatives like The Nature Conservancy’s Tuna Transparency Pledge, Culimer reinforces its commitment to advancing traceability, responsible sourcing, and equitable practices. Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to create a seafood industry that values both environmental stewardship and social responsibility, driving meaningful change for generations to come.”
