The Fiji Fishing Industry Association (FFIA) became the first domestic longline fishing industry in the Pacific to conduct a comprehensive human rights risk assessment using the Social Responsibility Assessment (SRA) Tool for the seafood sector.

This pioneering move supported by Conservation International, Walmart Foundation and assessment partner LRQA through Jurisdictional Initiatives aimed at tackling environmental, social, and economic improvements within domestic longline fisheries by engaging government, private sector and CSOs & fishing communities, demonstrates FFIA’s commitment to upholding social responsibility across its supply chain and strengthening the protection of fishers’ rights.

FFIA, representing 18 fishing companies and around 50 Fiji-flagged vessels, plays a major role in harvesting, processing, and distributing South Pacific albacore tuna, alongside bigeye, yellowfin, and other tuna species. While the association had made major progress on environmental sustainability including achieving MSC certifications for over 50% of the fleet and participating in Electronic Monitoring (EM) trials & implementation, social responsibility had remained a significant gap.

Longline fisheries, by nature, are exposed to high human rights risks due to: remote, isolated work conditions, hazardous working environments, limited regulatory oversight, lack of worker voice and participation, lack of integration with environmental and social governance (ESG) frameworks.

With the WCPFC’s adoption of new Crew Labour Standards and increasing global scrutiny on ethical supply chains, FFIA recognized the urgent need to implement Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) practices.

In 2023, FFIA partnered with LRQA to implement the Social Responsibility Assessment (SRA): a robust tool designed to evaluate and address social risks in seafood supply chains.

Key steps in the SRA process included: comprehensive desk review of regulatory frameworks, survey instruments for the fishery, on-site assessments at Mua-i-Walu ports, management interviews, captain & crew interviews, migrant worker interviews, vessel inspections, and fishing company document reviews.

Unlike traditional audits, the SRA prioritizes worker voices as the primary data source. Grounded in international standards, the tool identifies: existing and emerging social risks, information gaps, action areas, and prioritization for remediation. This foundational assessment not only informed an action plan for FFIA but also set the stage for future human rights due diligence across the national tuna fishery.

The 2023 SRA uncovered six key areas for industry-wide improvement: occupational health & safety at sea, forced Labor, child Labor, employment contracts, corporate responsibility & transparency, and freedom of association & collective bargaining. Follow-up workshops with industry, government, and civil society stakeholders validated the findings and created alignment around next steps. This assessment serves as a milestone for the Pacific region, positioning FFIA as a regional leader in ethical seafood production and setting a precedent for human rights risk management in fisheries globally.

FFIA’s leadership in implementing the SRA not only addresses systemic social challenges but also strengthens market access and international credibility. As global demand for socially responsible seafood grows, FFIA is already laying the groundwork for further transparency, collaboration, and resilience in the Pacific tuna industry. Currently, global markets required to all industries sector should implemented and required social-ethical labor standards to the all their supply chains. As global attention to ethical supply chains and responsible business conduct grows, the fishing industry especially onboard operations is facing increased scrutiny for human rights risks. Moving forward, risk assessments such as the SRA will play a critical role in identifying, mitigating, and preventing abuses such as forced labor, unsafe working conditions, and lack of access to grievance mechanisms.

Key developments expected in the global market include: Mandatory due diligence regulations in major importing countries, requiring companies to assess and report on human rights risks in their supply chains, including fishing vessels. Market incentives for ethically sourced seafood, with buyers prioritizing suppliers who demonstrate robust HRIA practices. Integration of broader HRDD practices into certification schemes to shift away from a compliance mindset and move more toward continuous improvement. Technological innovations such as remote monitoring and digital crew feedback systems to enhance transparency and accountability onboard. By proactively implementing HRDD practices, fishing companies can not only reduce reputational and legal risks but also strengthen their position in global markets that increasingly value ethical and responsible sourcing.