Areas of Expertise

Although the Social Responsibility Assessment (SRA) tool can be flexible in implementation, the best results are produced when the assessor (whether an individual or a team) is well qualified.

The individual or team that implements the SRA should have expertise in the following three areas:

In addition to these three areas of expertise, depending on the context within which the SRA is being implemented, there may be some other factors to take into consideration when choosing an assessor / assessment team. Additional considerations may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Language proficiency: It is essential that the individual commissioned to undertake interviews in the assessment can speak the language of the SRA subjects, or at the very least, that there is a qualified interpreter on the assessment team.
• Conflict of interest: It is important to ensure that where possible, you are able to minimize bias. This means that an assessor should not have a preferred outcome going into the assessment which might influence the results of the assessment.

Be sure to reach out to the entity that has requested the SRA to ensure any additional qualifications are met (e.g. Fishery Improvement Projects reporting to FisheryProgress).

At this time, assessors can apply to be recognized on RISE as an assessor that meets any or all of these qualifications. Once recognized, you will be featured on a list that will be published on RISE and will be circulated to match those that are implementing an SRA with qualified assessors. For a detailed description of assessor qualifications best practices, see “Assessor Qualifications” below.

As social assessments are relatively new in the seafood industry, there are few individuals that will be qualified in all of these areas of expertise. As needed, a team of individuals that collectively meets these qualifications will be well suited to implement the SRA. For more details on assessor teams, see “The Recognition Process” below.

Assessor Qualifications

There are some key guidelines to help determine best practices regarding assessor qualifications.

Human Rights & Social Sciences

Conducting a social assessment can be very challenging in that the assessors are often dealing with very sensitive issues. It takes experience implementing social science methods to understand how to respectfully handle sensitive issues.

An assessor must be prepared to implement social science methods, including, but not limited to:

• Conducting interviews with workers/fishers/farmers and management, particularly on sensitive subjects such as forced labor or discrimination.
• Conducting document review
• Understanding human rights and labor rights standards
• Understanding international, national, and local labor laws
• Understanding root causes and connections

There are many ways to demonstrate social science experience:

• Accredited social auditors: APSCA member in good standing, social auditor of a Conformity Assessment Boy accredited by ISO 17065 or Assurance Services International.
• Experience implementing other social programs or certifications in the seafood industry: Fair Trade USA Capture Fisheries Standard, Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard, Seafood Task Force Vessel Auditable Standard.
• Experience implementing other social programs or certifications outside of the seafood industry: Fair Trade USA Agriculture Production Standard, Rainforest Alliance, Equitable Food Initiative.
• University degree in relevant social science field: Advanced degree, such as Masters or PhD preferred.

Fishery / Aquaculture Experience

An assessor must have familiarity with the fishery / aquaculture context to effectively implement the SRA. This requires an understanding of the risks that are unique to the seafood industry in relation to the issue areas covered in the SRA.

Fishery / Aquaculture experience can be demonstrated as follows:

• Accreditation or approval to implement a fishery / aquaculture program, such as the Marine Stewardship Council, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, or Fishery Improvement Projects
• University degree in relevant scientific field such as fisheries / aquaculture biology or fisheries management. Advanced degree such as a Masters or PhD preferred.
• Experience implementing fisheries management practices, such as stock assessments and biological modelling.
• Experience working in a commercial or subsistence wild-capture fishery or aquaculture site.
• Experience implementing health and safety practices on vessels or at aquaculture sites.

SRA Tool Implementation

In order to effectively implement the SRA, at least one member on the assessment team should have attended a training on the SRA. Even with social auditing and fishery/aquaculture experience, the tool itself is unique, therefore this training is essential to ensure effective and consistent SRA implementation.

Currently there is only one recommended source for SRA trainings. This is the ELEVATE SRA Training which is a 3 day training that covers key social science methods, the SRA process, and the content of the SRA.

Refer to the SRA Assurance Guidance for more information about recommended trainings that can help an individual work towards meeting these qualifications.