Arlington, Va. (Oct. 21, 2025) – After two years of rigorous research and global stakeholder collaboration, the Social Responsibility Assessment Tool for the Seafood Sector (SRA) 2.0 is now live on the refreshed Roadmap for Improving Seafood Ethics (RISE) platform, setting a new benchmark for how companies assess and address human and labor rights risks in seafood supply chains.

Originally launched in 2017, the SRA has become a cornerstone for companies committed to ethical sourcing in fisheries and aquaculture. Version 2.0 builds on this legacy with smarter scoring logic, sharper indicators and stronger alignment with international standards like the U.N. Guiding Principles and International Labour Organization conventions. It also integrates cutting-edge considerations such as Wi-Fi access and connectivity at sea, AIS/VMS coverage and prison labor risks, reflecting the evolving realities of seafood production.

What sets SRA 2.0 apart? It’s not just a framework — it’s a field-tested, globally implemented tool that’s already embedded in the due diligence systems of leading seafood companies. The updated version includes:

• New indicators on fair recruitment and observer rights,
• Enhanced guidance for small-scale fisheries and aquaculture operations, and
• Refined data collection protocols to better capture economic, social, and cultural rights risks.

“Through this revision, the SRA is positioned as a best-in-class diagnostic tool that underpins human rights due diligence in the seafood sector. Companies are using it to drive real change, and local communities of practice are emerging to support implementation worldwide,” said Meghan Quinlan, Principal, Responsible Sourcing at LRQA, a key partner in the SRA’s evolution. “SRA 2.0 reflects the lessons of real-world application and is more ready than ever to meet the complexity of today’s seafood supply chains. LRQA will continue to leverage the SRA as the basis for our clients seeking to implement social responsibility best practices in the seafood sector.”

As human rights due diligence becomes a global imperative, SRA 2.0 and the RISE platform offer seafood buyers and suppliers a clear, credible, and actionable path to identify risks, implement improvements and champion the rights of workers and seafood-dependent communities across the sector.

“The SRA is the perfect complement to the step-by-step human rights due diligence guidance on RISE. The SRA acts as the basis for in-depth assessment, discovery and engagement at the sourcing level, naturally building to a clear methodology for creating an action plan and carrying it out,” said Kelley Bell, Social Responsibility Director at FishWise.

“We have seen firsthand the incredible impacts that can come from buyers working closely with fishers, workers, civil society and local stakeholders to both better understand issues at hand and, more importantly, figure out a path toward improving working conditions and livelihoods overall,” said Ashley Apel, Director of Partnerships at Conservation International. “Amidst the myriad challenges facing people globally, it’s heartening to be part of process that can lead to real positive change.”

 

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About the Consortium on Social Risks in Seafood: In late 2022, Conservation International, FishWise, and LRQA formed the Consortium on Social Risks in Seafood (the ‘Consortium’) with a joint objective to proliferate tools and resources that can be leveraged by seafood suppliers and buyers to implement human rights due diligence and address human and labor rights risks within seafood supply chains.

 

About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through Science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

 

About LRQA

LRQA, a leading global assurance provider, is helping organizations transform complex supply chain risks into competitive advantages through its comprehensive Responsible Sourcing solutions. In a global economy where ethical and environmental due diligence is now a business imperative, LRQA is setting the standard for transparency and resilience. LRQA’s Responsible Sourcing portfolio provides a connected, data-driven approach to addressing critical supply chain issues, including human rights violations, forced labor, and environmental harm. This strategic focus is essential for clients navigating a rapidly evolving and demanding regulatory landscape. Our pillars of responsible sourcing include proactive risk management vis data intelligence, globally recognized assurance, strategic advisory and due diligence, and on-the-ground improvement and capacity building. LRQA is committed to helping businesses protect their people, their reputation, and their market access, turning the pressure of responsible sourcing into a foundation for sustainable growth.

 

About FishWise

For over 20 years, FishWise has implemented a holistic approach to sustainability in pursuing its mission, advancing private sector leadership, building and participating in multi-stakeholder collaborations, and strengthening governance reform and policy advocacy. FishWise serves as a bridge between the private sector, governments, environmental sustainability, counter-IUU fishing, and social responsibility communities to develop, test, and implement responsible business practices to improve the transparency and sustainable management of complex global seafood supply chains.

 

About RISE
RISE is a newly upgraded, free online platform designed to help companies build a comprehensive social responsibility program for seafood through a step-by-step approach in line with human rights due diligence. Over the past year, FishWise worked with industry, non-governmental organizations, and other experts to enhance the RISE platform. RISE now features a six-step roadmap with improved guidance on core topics like responsible recruitment, grievance mechanisms and worker engagement. The reimagined RISE community of experts connects businesses with local and regional experts to encourage long-term engagement and sustainability in sourcing communities. Working directly with topic experts, like FishChoice, Global Seafood Alliance, and Seafood and Gender Equality, FishWise also created up-to-date briefings on special topics ranging from Fishery Improvement Projects to Gender and Seafood.