Download pdf - Fair Trade USA Capture Fisheries Standard · The Fair Trade Premium Plan follows the Fair Trade Premium Expenditure Rules. The Plan is updated annually and approved at a General Assembly

What is Fair Trade?When consumers choose a product with the Fair Trade CertifiedTM seal, they know it was made with respect for the fishermen and workers who produced it. This means decent prices and wages, safer working conditions, environmental protection, and additional Community Development Funds to invest in much-needed projects like education, healthcare, and clean water.

How Will Fishermen & FisheriesBenefit from Fair Trade?• More Resilient Livelihoods in Coastal

Communities: Fair Trade standards ensure safe working and living conditions and fair prices.

• Greater Access to Capital: Fishermen can use the Fair Trade Premium to invest in projects that improve the welfare of the community.

• Enhanced Environmental Stewardship: Fair Trade criteria include responsible resource management and ecosystem protection.

Harnessing the Power of the Conscious ConsumerThe Fair Trade USA certification seal is now recognized by over 63% of North Americans. Consumers are actively committed to purchasing Fair Trade Certified products throughout the grocery aisle including coffee, chocolate and produce, and will now have the option to purchase Fair Trade seafood.

How Will BusinessBenefit from Fair Trade?• Differentiate Products by Introducing

Socially Responsible Seafood: Fair Trade USA is the first to offer industry and consumers a holistic choice in sourcing responsible wild caught seafood by addressing social, economic, and environmental criteria. Fishermen earn a Fair Trade Premium which they use to invest in important community projects which help improve their livelihoods.

• Improved Traceability and Supply Chain Stability by reducing supply chain risks: Fair Trade Certified products are traceable through the entire supply chain, helping to improve business practices. Fishermen that are registered with the Fair Trade program are more committed to selling directly to registered Fair Trade buyers – securing a more stable, mutually beneficial supply chain over the long term.

• Improving Fisheries Management: The Fair Trade USA Capture Fisheries Standard reviews the resource management of the fishery to ensure that it is managed legally and responsibly. This includes documentation, data collection, stock assessments, biodiversity/ecosystems protections, and proper waste management.

How can I learn more about Fair Trade?For more information about Fair Trade USA and the Capture Fisheries Standard, visit us online at FairTradeCertified.org or email us at [email protected].

How to Use this DocumentThe following pages summarize the requirements of the Capture Fisheries Standard. This tool can be used to understand the main compliance criteria over the course of Fair Trade’s six-year program. It also allows fishermen and their partners to assess a fishery’s ability to comply with the Capture Fisheries Standard in consideration of criteria requirements at Year 0, 1, 3 and 6. For full details, read the CFS and associated policies which can be found online at FairTradeCertified.org.

Fair Trade U S A

Capture Fisheries Standard

F A I R T R A D E U S Atracks payment of Community Development Premiums back to the fishing communities.

P R O C E S S O R Sprepare and package fish

for export to consumer countries.

B U Y E R Sretailers and food service providers label and sell

Fair Trade CertifiedTM products.

C O N S U M E R Smake their seafood purchases matter by choosing Fair Trade

Certified products.

F I S H E R M E Ncatch marine products

and meet Fair Trade standards.

F I S H E R M E Ndecide how to invest

Community Development Premiums.

T H E F L O W O F Goods and ImpactsFair Trade Fisheries

3 5

2 4 6

F O R Fair Trade Fisheries

Standards forResource Management

ensure that fisheries are management legally and responsibly, and require

documentation, data collection, stock assessments, biodiversity/ecosystems

protections, and proper waste management.

Standards forEmpowerment &Community Developmentguide how the Certificate Holder and the FTC will collect, manage, and disburse the Fair Trade Premium to the benefit of the community and the fishery.

Standards forFundamental Human Rights

help prevent discrimination and abuse, eliminate forced labor

and human trafficking, protect children, and ensure workers have the freedom to organize.

Standards forWages, Working Conditions

& Access to Serviceshelp standardize and

improve wages and benefits, as well as working conditions including health and safety

and working hours.

Standards forTrade Requirements

provide a framework for tracking Fair Trade

products and ensure Fair Trade agreements between

fishermen, the Certificate Holder, and others are

bound by a contract.

The StandardsStandards for Structural Requirementsoutline the duties and requirements for parties involvedin Fair Trade, including the Certificate Holder (CH), the Fishing Association (FA), and the Fair Trade Committee (FTC).

AllFishermen

Fair TradeRegistered

Fishermen /Fishing

Association

FairTrade

Committee

1

COMMUNITY

FISHERMEN

FISHERY

CERTIFICATE HOLDER

1

Minimum for cert ification. Requirements increase gradual ly.

C E R T I F I C A T I O N

Certificate Holder (STR-CH)Appoint a contact person for the certification process.

Participate in announced and unannounced audits.

Ensure implementation partners understand their responsibilities.

Keep a list of Registered Fishermen and their boats. Ensure all boats are legally registered and licensed. Fishermen understand the Fair Trade programand voluntarily participate.

Document landing sites and locations where Fair Trade products are handled. Ensure handling sites have agreed to participate in the Fair Trade program.

Create funding strategies to ensure program continuity.

Support empowerment and independent certification of the fishermen.

Meet regularly with the Fishing Association.

Ensure the costs of inputs and services available, transparent, and coherent.

Create and maintain an Internal Management System.Assess the risks of non-compliance.

Improve fishermen’s understanding of financial management.

Update the risk assessment every 3 years.

Fishing Association (STR-FA)Form a Fishing Association, with a mission statement, defined rules, and an annual meeting of all members. Ensure fishermen know when meetings are scheduled.

Elect a leadership team. All members are eligible for nomination and able to vote. Voting is free, fair, and transparent. Ensure delegate systems offer representation to all members.

Ensure Association records are available to all members.

Define internal rules to determine who can become a member. New member requests must be agreed upon.

Appoint at least one member to be responsible for administration and bookkeeping.

If multiple Associations make decisions together, a delegate system exists.

Fair Trade Committee (STR-FTC)Elect the Fair Trade Committee through a free, fair, and transparent voting process. Ensure the Committee delegate systems offer representation to all members.

Ensure Committee members understand their responsibilities, fishermen understand the role of the Committee, and are represented by only one Committee.

Record decisions with meeting minutes signed by the Committee and shared with the Registered Fishermen.

Hold General Assembly meetings at least once a year with all Premium Participants. Ensure Participants know when meetings are scheduled, and that meetings adhere to meeting procedures.

Record Assembly decisions and participation through meeting minutes. Minutes are signed by the Committee leadership and at least one Registered Fisherman.

The Fair Trade Committee is legally registered.

If multiple Committees make decisions together and use one joint Fair Trade Premium Plan, an overarching leadership team exists. All Committees meet at least once a year.

Structural Requirementsfor F A I R T R A D E U S A Certification

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Empowerment & Community DevelopmentRequirements for

Development & Management of the Fair Trade Premium Plan (ECD-DM)*A Needs Assessment is conducted by the Certificate Holder and identifies development needs where Fair Trade Premium can help Registered Fishermen, crew members, workers, community, and natural resources.

The Needs Assessment is used to create a Fair Trade Premium Plan, including projects, budgets, and timelines.

The Fair Trade Premium Plan follows the Fair Trade Premium Expenditure Rules.

The Plan is updated annually and approved at a General Assembly meeting.

If a qualified third party is helping to make progress toward achieving the Plan, the third party is vetted by the Fair Trade Committee.

The Plan includes at least one project to benefit workers that are not Premium Participants.*This section is applicable at first use of the Fair Trade Premium or the year listed, whichever comes first.

Fair Trade Payments & Premium (ECD-FTP)*The Fair Trade Committee establishes a bank account to hold the Fair Trade Premium, with more than one signatory. This may include a trustee, who acknowledges the Registered Fishermen are the Premium recipients.

Premium is paid to the bank account one month after the Premium payment is received from the Premium payer.

At least 30% of the Premium is used on environmental projects. The Premium is not misused, and the Certificate Holder does not interfere with Premium use.

An external audit is conducted when over $75,000 USD of the Fair Trade Premium is used in a year.

The Fair Trade Committee or Fishing Association reports Fair Trade sales to Premium Participants.

The Fair Trade Committee reports annually on Premium usage.

All Premium Participants understand the purpose of the Premium.

The Premium is used according to the Fair Trade Premium Plan. Progress on the Plan is reported annually.

The Certificate Holder supports the Fair Trade Committee in developing the Fair Trade Premium Plan.

An accounting system is in place to track Premium expenses.

The Premium is channeled to each Fair Trade Committee.

The Certificate Holder provides the Fair Trade Committee with trainings on accounting and Premium management.

The Fair Trade Committee is responsible for the accounting system and Fair Trade Premium Plan progress reports.*This section is applicable at first sale of Fair Trade product unless otherwise noted.

3 Requirements for



Y 0 Y 1 Y 3 Y 6Discrimination & Abuse Prevention (FHR-DAP)*No discrimination or abuse (physical, verbal, sexual) of Registered Fishermen, crew members, potential new program participants, or workers is tolerated.

A policy prohibits unwanted sexual conduct.†

A record system helps prevent unwanted sexual conduct.†

Freedom from Forced Labor & Human Trafficking (FHR-FL)*No human trafficking, forced, bonded, or compulsory labor.

No bonded labor from debts or loans.

Work is not conditional on employment of family members and family members are not required to work.

Salary, benefits, property, or documents are not retained to force individuals to remain employed.

Recruitment agencies are licensed.

Employment or migration recruitment fees are prohibited.

Protection of Children & Young Persons (FHR-PC)*Minimum age requirements for employment are implemented. There are minimum age requirements specific to work on board fishing vessels.

Minors are documented and must have parental consent for work.

Children under 18 work a maximum of 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week and are provided meal time. Work, including work for family, does not jeopardize wellbeing.

Where needed, a remediation policy for child labor exists.

There are minimum age requirements for employment in processing facilities, and for dangerous work.

Freedom of Association (FHR-FR)Employees may join an independent workers’ organization and are not discriminated against for doing so.

Crew members and workers may choose representatives to negotiate, without external interference.

Freedom of association is not influenced by the employer.

Crew members and workers can hold meetings during working time.

Dismissals of union or crew members’ or workers’ committee members, and terminated contracts are recorded.†

Crew members and workers receive information from an independent source during working time about their right to organize.†

Fundamental Human Rights

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* This section is applicable to Registered Fishermen, crew members, and workers who fall within the scope of the CFS Certificate. † Applicable where a significant number of crew members or workers are employed (five permanent workers or 20 total workers at any given time).

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Wages, WorkingConditions & Access to Services

Requirements for



† Applicable where a significant number of crew members or workers are employed (five permanent workers or 20 total workers at any given time).

4

Conditions of Employment (WWS-CE)*Employment conditions are verbally agreed upon.

Wages meet or exceed minimum wage, and are specified for all functions.

Payment is made on time and directly to the crew member and/or worker. Crew members and workers receive pay slips, and may appeal payment discrepancies.

In-kind payments are not allowed unless legally permissible and agreed upon by both parties. The agreement must be documented.

Registered Fishermen and crew members establish and adhere to share-catch systems, which are only used for vessel owners and individuals working on boats.

Employers provide social services, health insurance, and leave where legally required.

There are maximum work and minimum rest requirements for crew members on vessels at sea more than 5 days, and for onshore workers.

Overtime is voluntary.

Permanent workers have employment contracts.

Employer and waged crew member and/or worker representatives meet annually to discuss wages.

If a workers’ organization exists, piecework rates are agreed upon.

Onshore workers are given meal and rest breaks.

All regular positions use permanent crew members or workers.

Time-limited contracts are only issued to non-permanent crew members and/or workers during peak periods.

Occupational Health & Safety (WWS-OH)Workplaces are as safe as possible and trainings are provided on the use of Personal Protective Equipment, which is provided free of charge.

First aid supplies and trained first aid personnel are available. Medical care is provided for injuries, and records are kept of all work accidents.†

Persons under 18, pregnant or nursing women, persons with incapacitating mental conditions, respiratory diseases, or chronic, hepatic or renal diseases are not allowed to do hazardous work.

Crew members and workers receive necessary working clothes† and can access potable drinking water.

Small boats with men and women have a private sanitary area, and sanitary facilities are provided on larger boats.

Boats at sea more than 3 days pass inspection of working conditions.

A workplace maintenance, improvement, and repair system in place.

Workplace sanitary facilities are provided separately for men and women, and boats with both men and women have separate sleeping quarters.†

Hazards are clearly identified by signs and written instructions.

There is a safety policy and a person in charge of safety and policy training.Crew members and workers receive training on the policy.†

Captains and crew members on boats at sea for more than 3 days have a medical certificate to work.

Ship to shore communications are in place on all vessels.

*This section is applicable to Registered Fishermen, crew members, and workers who fall under the scope of the certificate.

Requirements for



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Fishery Documentation (RM-FD)Primary, secondary, and bycatch species are defined, and endangered, threatened, or protected species are listed.

There is a Fishery Management Plan. It includes a data collection strategy.

All fishery management rules are in a single document.

Life history information is collected for primary species.

Life history information is collected for secondary and bycatch species.

The Plan includes fishery management improvements and controls on fishing mortality. It is updated annually.

The precautionary approach is used.

There is a map showing the fishing range and habitats.

Data Collection (RM-DC)Data collection systems are in place.

Vessels record crew lists.

Fishing trips record all catch data on all primary, secondary, and bycatch species.

Fishery data reflect at least 50% of total catch of primary species.

Fishery data reflect at least 75% of total catch of primary species.

Registered Fishermen, crew members, and workers are regularly trained in data collection and management.

Fishery data reflect at least 90% of total catch for primary species.

Fishery-independent data is gathered annually for primary species.

Stock Health (RM-SH)Primary species are being evaluated for overfishing. A strategy to reduce fishing pressure is created if needed.

Overfishing is not occurring for primary species. Secondary bycatch species are evaluated for overfishing. A strategy to reduce fishing pressure is created if needed.

Stock status is determined for the primary species. A rebuilding strategy is created if stock is overfished. Stock assessments are updated annually.

Overfishing is not occurring for secondary or bycatch species.

Stock status is determined for secondary species. A rebuilding strategy is created if these stocks are overfished.

Resource Management5

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*This section is applicable for vessels, landing sites, and processing facilities within the scope of the Capture Fisheries Certificate.



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Biodiversity & Ecosystem Protection (RM-BEM)Primary species in the fishery are not endangered, threatened, or protected. Endangered, threatened, or protected species are not intentionally caught.

Explosives, cyanide, bleach, and/or all other poisons are not used in fishing.

Habitat impact scores are calculated.

All laws are followed concerning endangered, threatened, and protected species, and best practices are used to avoid these species.

Endangered, threatened, and protected species caught in the fishery do not have consumable value to fishermen.

Minimize and recover fishing gear lost at sea.

Analysis shows endangered, threatened, and protected species are not at risk from the fishery.

Habitat impact score is >3.

Choose ecosystem metrics to monitor and implement an ecosystem monitoring strategy.

The ecosystem monitoring strategy is reviewed annually.

Waste Management (RM-WM)*Laws on handling waste are followed.

A waste management strategy is implemented.

For human and environmental health, waste is disposed of only in designated areas.

Waste water is handled appropriately.

Governance (RM-GOV)Registered Fishermen follow local, national, and international laws regarding fishing practices.

An IUU enforcement strategy is created.

The IUU enforcement strategy is reviewed annually.

Registered Fishermen meet with fishery management authorities.

The Fishing Association, Certificate Holder, and other fishery stakeholders commit to a written conflict resolution procedure.

There is a signed co-management commitment by the Fishing Association leadership and other stakeholders in the fishery.

An annual co-management meeting is held, including minutes and action plans.

(continued)Resource Management

Requirements for



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Product Traceability (TR-PT)*Fish caught before the first day of initial audit may not be sold as Fair Trade.

Only fish caught by Registered Fishermen can be sold as Fair Trade Certified.

Only licensed partners may use the Fair Trade certification seal on finished products.

Fair Trade products are clearly marked and separated from non-FT products.

A valid certificate is issued for Fair Trade products.

There is a written description of product flow. A system is in place to track product back to the point of landing.

Records are maintained of all Fair Trade products and sales.

Fair Trade transactions are reported to Fair Trade USA.

The FA keeps copies of Fair Trade products and sales records.

Contracts & Agreements (TR-CA)There is a signed agreement between the Certificate Holder and individual Registered Fisherman, or Fishing Associations.

There is a signed agreement between the buyer and individual Registered Fishermen. Registered Fishermen can sell to other buyers on non-Fair Trade terms.

Registered Fishermen receive a written receipt with the terms of trade.

The purchase of certified products is not dependent on the purchase of non-certified products.

A sourcing plan is shared with the Fair Trade Committee and the Association.

Conditions of credit are agreed upon in advance.

Contract conditions with buyers are fulfilled.

The Fishing Association and buyer(s) negotiate an agreement on the terms of trade for one harvest period.

Contract Suspension & Decertification (TR-CS)Contracts are fulfilled within six months after suspension.

Organizations must stop selling Fair Trade products from the date of decertification.

Fair Trade Certified products are not sold to decertified buyers.

Traceability & Transparency

*This section is applicable at first sale of Fair Trade product unless otherwise noted.

6 Requirements for