Blockchain technology trialled to tackle slavery in
the fishing industry
Technology
could be used to differentiate fish caught sustainably to those caught
illegally, or linked to human rights abuses
Blockchain is a digital ledger or record of information
that is accessible to everyone. The technology is being trialled in the fishing
industry. Photograph: Maria-Ines Fuenmayor/Provenance
Wednesday 7 September
2016 02.30 EDTLast modified on Wednesday 7 September 201603.33 EDT
A new digital technology has been trialled to track fish from
trawler to the supermarket in a breakthrough that could help stop human rights
abuses and illegal fishing.
The technology – called blockchain and first
used to power the currency Bitcoin – is expected to revolutionise the finance,
property and food sectors replacing traditional contracts, paperwork and
identification methods.
Blockchain is a digital ledger or record of
information that is accessible to everyone. In this case it details the origins
of fish and allows anyone to see where the fish was caught, processed and sold
on. It does not stop illegal fishing on its own but it opens up the supply
chain for anyone to scrutinise.
With the seafood industry notorious for human rights abuses and
illegal fishing, campaigners hope the technology, piloted by a UK-based company Provenance, could help retailers, manufacturers
and restaurants prove the origins of their fish.
“Building in mechanisms to deliver
transparency from net to plate is central to eradicating illegal, unsustainable
fishing and the human rights abuses that have plagued parts of the seafood production
sector,” said Steve Trent, executive director at the Environmental Justice
Foundation (EJF).
Smartphones could be used to scan fish products used in
the trial to access information on their origins and journey to the supermarket
shelf. Photograph: Provenance
At present the buying and selling of seafood
is tracked by paper records and tags on the fish. The new blockchain approach
sees local fishermen send SMS messages to register their catch on the
blockchain. This identification is then transferred to a supplier along with
the catch, with any subsequent move, for example processing or tinning, also
recorded.
The information on the origin and supply chain
journey of the fish can then be accessed and verified by end buyers and
consumers in shops or restaurants using their smartphones, replacing the
current printed communication and labels.
The technology has already sparked interest
from food companies, with the Co-op Food group
currently conducting its own trial with Provenance on fresh food products -
expected to conclude later this year.
Provenance founder Jessi Baker said that the
technology currently adds a “few pence” to the price of the final product so is
likely to be used first on premium fish products, or even wine or olive oil.
The cost will need to come down to “points of a pence” to be viable for canned
and processed fish produce, she said.
“We are desperately in need of a solution,”
said Baker. “We want to help support fish that is caught sustainably and verify
these claims down the chain to help drive the market for slavery-free fish.
This pilot shows that complex, global supply chains can be made transparent by
using blockchain technology.”
The fish trial has been welcomed by Thai
Union, the world’s biggest tuna exporter, that has faced its own sustainability
criticisms. Tescostopped stocking its John West brand in
July this year, citing the need for the fish company to ensure it was using
sustainable sources of tuna.
“Traceability – which allows us to prove that
our fish is caught legally and sustainably and that safe labour conditions are
met throughout the supply chain - is vital if we are to interest consumers in
the source of their tuna,” said Dr Darian McBain, director of
sustainability at Thai Union.
“The next challenges are building scalability
so that traceability systems can operate across borders and certifying
authorities, and educating consumers that it is worth paying more for
sustainably-caught traceable fish where workers are paid a fair and decent
wage,” she said.
Trent from EJF, cautioned that on its own the
technology would not end abuses in the seafood sector. “It is also essential to
understand and support the other actions and mechanisms that are needed to
combat these abuses, including the role of effective enforcement actions and
the application of strong, fair and transparent action in the courts to impose
robust penalties,” he said.
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