OCE-B.17.A - IUU Fishing Risk Mitigation General Disclosure
Does the company provide general information about how it mitigates IUU fishery risks across its operations and most material value chain, without having conducted a formal IUU risk assessment?
About the data
The WBA Ocean Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to halt and reverse nature loss in marine ecosystems, tracking how companies manage their impacts on ocean biodiversity, marine habitats, and the communities and workers dependent on healthy seas. The 2026 edition is WBA's first Ocean Benchmark, assessing 125 companies across key sectors dependent on oceans, including seafood, maritime transport, offshore wind energy, shipbuilding, port operations, apparel, and chemicals. Companies are assessed on 47 indicators across four measurement areas: governance, ecosystems and biodiversity, social responsibility, and core social indicators. The benchmark builds on WBA's Nature Benchmark and the former Seafood Stewardship Index, and its methodology was developed with input from more than 50 stakeholders including ocean communities, companies, scientists and civil society, with human rights and social impacts kept at its core alongside nature-specific concerns. More information can be found here.
Methodology
IUU fishing is a key issue in the global seafood industry. IUU catches are estimated to
account for 11-26 million tonnes of fish annually, with a value of USD 10-23 billion (FAO, 2016a). To
eliminate IUU products from the global seafood market, seafood companies can, in addition to legal
requirements, put in place risk assessment procedures to assess and mitigate IUU fishing risks in their
operations and supply chains (SDG target 14.4). Companies in other sectors should have specific
commitments to ensure that no IUU fish enter their supply chains.
Research Guidance:
For this element to be met, the company must:
Describe and explain how they mitigate IUU risks in their direct operations or most material value chain
Guidance
IUU is a key topic within the seafood industry. Here we are looking how companies are dealing with IUU and IUU risks in their operations and supply chains. How are they assessing IUU risks, how transparent are they about IUU and if a company has fish with a high IUU risk in its operations, what does it do to mitigate these risks?
Companies that refer to sourcing seafood that is certified to mitigate IUU risks are also rewarded here. A lot of companies report that they are working with certifications, so a lot of companies will very likely meet this element.
Maritime transport:
While this sector may not catch fish themselves, they play a decisive role in enabling or preventing IUU products from entering global markets. Transparent reporting shows leadership in sustainable ocean governance, reduces risk exposure, and builds trust with regulators, clients, and civil society.
Maritime transport companies — especially those in:
Reefer shipping (refrigerated cargo)
Bulk or container shipping
Logistics and transshipment services
— may unknowingly facilitate the movement of IUU-sourced seafood, particularly when transporting:
Wild-caught fish (e.g. tuna, cod, krill)
Fishmeal and fish oil
Other marine products with limited traceability
Failure to screen cargo can create legal, reputational, and financial risks.
account for 11-26 million tonnes of fish annually, with a value of USD 10-23 billion (FAO, 2016a). To
eliminate IUU products from the global seafood market, seafood companies can, in addition to legal
requirements, put in place risk assessment procedures to assess and mitigate IUU fishing risks in their
operations and supply chains (SDG target 14.4). Companies in other sectors should have specific
commitments to ensure that no IUU fish enter their supply chains.
Research Guidance:
For this element to be met, the company must:
Describe and explain how they mitigate IUU risks in their direct operations or most material value chain
Guidance
IUU is a key topic within the seafood industry. Here we are looking how companies are dealing with IUU and IUU risks in their operations and supply chains. How are they assessing IUU risks, how transparent are they about IUU and if a company has fish with a high IUU risk in its operations, what does it do to mitigate these risks?
Companies that refer to sourcing seafood that is certified to mitigate IUU risks are also rewarded here. A lot of companies report that they are working with certifications, so a lot of companies will very likely meet this element.
Maritime transport:
While this sector may not catch fish themselves, they play a decisive role in enabling or preventing IUU products from entering global markets. Transparent reporting shows leadership in sustainable ocean governance, reduces risk exposure, and builds trust with regulators, clients, and civil society.
Maritime transport companies — especially those in:
Reefer shipping (refrigerated cargo)
Bulk or container shipping
Logistics and transshipment services
— may unknowingly facilitate the movement of IUU-sourced seafood, particularly when transporting:
Wild-caught fish (e.g. tuna, cod, krill)
Fishmeal and fish oil
Other marine products with limited traceability
Failure to screen cargo can create legal, reputational, and financial risks.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report