Ethical Tuna Collaboration
After a decade of investment in various improvement efforts, impact remains fragmented and forced labor remains a major systemic risk in tuna supply chains. The risks are greatest for workers on distant water fishing vessels. Industry and civil society have an essential role to play in addressing forced labor in tuna supply chains.
The Ethical Tuna Collaboration will design an industry-wide initiative that engages U.S. buyers to help address forced labor at the vessel level. Industry stakeholders, labor rights experts, and worker representatives will draw from seafood-sector and cross-sector models to design and oversee this initiative.
The scope is all tuna sold in the U.S. market, including fresh, frozen, and shelf stable. The initial focus will be on forced labor at the vessel level. The intent is to design the initiative such that it can expand to other human and labor rights issues, parts of the supply chain, or other seafood products over time.
The Ethical Tuna Collaboration is funded by Walmart and Whole Foods Market. The 海鲜解决方案保护联盟 is the convenor – overseeing a team of expert consultants that are managing the project day to day, conducting research and developing proposals for discussion, communicating with industry and civil society stakeholders, and facilitating the working group.
Project Timeline
Scoping for this work started in early 2025. Throughout fall 2025, we are holding discussions with industry and civil society groups to solicit feedback on the initiative concept. By the end of the year, we will confirm the working group – including industry stakeholders at all levels of the supply chain, sustainable seafood and labor rights experts, and worker representatives – who will engage in shaping all elements of the initiative design in 2026. Companies will determine individually if they will join the initiative after the design process concludes.
Advisors to the Ethical Tuna Collaboration
We work closely with advisors who support planning for industry and civil society outreach and engagement, identifying members of the design working group, and developing straw proposals for the project’s initial stages. Advisors will provide their expertise and guidance until the working group is established.
- Heidi Schuttenberg, Executive Director, Blue Sanctuaries
- Marina Colby, Principal Consultant, Decent Work Strategies
- 米歇尔·贝里茨霍夫-劳, Senior Project Director, Markets Engagement, FishWise
- Claude Fontheim, CEO, Fontheim International
- Emily McDuff, Social Responsibility Principal Advisor, Independent Advisor
- Chavi Keeney Nana, Director, Equitable Global Supply Chains, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
- 利兹穆勒, Principal, Liz Muller & Partners
- 加布里埃尔·劳特, Senior Manager, Ocean Outcomes
- 蕾妮·佩里, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental Social Governance, Oddisea SuperFrozen
- Elizabeth Fay, Senior Director of Policy Advocacy, Verité
- Shawn MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Verité
- Sean Reber, Senior Director of Supplier Development, Walmart
- 切尔西·斯坎特兰, Director on the Sustainability Team, Walmart.org
To receive updates about the Ethical Tuna Collaboration, please email liz@springboard.partners to be added to the email distribution list.
This project will be conducted in accordance with applicable antitrust and competition laws. Nothing in this project shall be construed to require or encourage coordination on pricing, supplier selection, or other competitively sensitive matters.
