The Biggest Tuna Corporation Spearheads Initiative for the Revival of At-Risk Species, According to SFP Research Revealing Significant Decline in Biodiversity within Longline Tuna Fishing Operations

Boston, MA – March 13, 2023 – Thai Union Group PLC, a global leader in seafood production and a major provider of shelf-stable tuna products, today pledged to source exclusively from vessels that adhere to the highest standards for protecting marine life from incidental capture, or bycatch. This commitment is informed by a study from the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) highlighting the threats to sharks, seabirds, turtles, and other marine species in the company's supply chains, as well as an evaluation by Key Traceability of Thai Union’s tuna fishery improvement efforts and the most at-risk fisheries identified in their review. Adam Brennan, Thai Union's group director of sustainability, emphasized the urgency of addressing the global crisis of biodiversity and species loss. "The SFP report underscores the dramatic decline of ETP species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean," Brennan stated. "Our goal is to enhance our sourcing practices to ensure they are from vessels that are proactively minimizing and mitigating bycatch." Thai Union, known for popular tuna brands such as Chicken of the Sea and John West, announced a new 2030 goal for its fisheries at the Seafood Expo North America. This initiative is an extension of the company's seafood sustainability efforts over the past seven years and includes: - Ensuring that by 2030, all vessels will adopt best practices for the protection of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species; and - Achieving its existing goal of 100 percent observer coverage (either human or electronic) on tuna vessels by 2025, through partnerships with suppliers and service providers. Kathryn Novak, SFP's biodiversity and nature director, remarked, "The loss of biodiversity poses the most significant risk to the sustainability of fisheries. Thai Union is pioneering new standards in the seafood industry to safeguard endangered, protected, and threatened species by scrutinizing their supply chains and sourcing only from vessels committed to reducing bycatch." A recent SFP report on the impact of commercial tuna longline fishing in the Western Central Pacific Ocean revealed a significant decline in nature, with an estimated 70 percent reduction in certain shark, seabird, and sea turtle populations. This region accounts for over half of the global tuna production, primarily consumed in North America and Japan, positioning tuna purchasers to influence positive changes for restoring nature and reviving vulnerable marine species, especially sharks and seabirds. Thai Union's bycatch review, part of SFP's Protecting Ocean Wildlife initiative, assessed the company's source fisheries for sustainability risks and opportunities to lessen marine wildlife bycatch. The study identified tuna longline fisheries as particularly high-risk for sharks, seabirds, and sea turtles, recommending gear modifications to decrease interaction and mortality rates. It also highlighted the need for increased observer coverage in Pacific Ocean fisheries, aligning with Thai Union's commitment to 100 percent observer coverage in its tuna operations. Key Traceability's analysis confirmed that vessels in Thai Union’s fishery improvement projects (FIPs) are adopting best practices for bycatch reduction, with many meeting or surpassing the recommendations of the audit report. About Sustainable Fisheries Partnership: Founded in 2006, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership is a marine conservation organization dedicated to achieving healthy oceans, sustainable seafood production, and access to sustainable seafood for all. By mobilizing seafood buyers and retailers throughout the supply chain, SFP aims to replenish depleted fish stocks, minimize fishing and aquaculture's environmental impacts, address social issues in fishing, and improve economic opportunities for fishers and their communities. Through Supply Chain Roundtables (SRs), seafood suppliers collaborate in a non-competitive setting to foster improvements in fishery and aquaculture practices, management, and policy. Learn more at www.sustainablefish.org. About Thai Union: For 45 years, Thai Union Group PCL has been at the forefront of the global seafood industry, offering high-quality, nutritious, delicious, and innovative seafood products to consumers worldwide. With annual sales surpassing THB 155.6 billion (US$ 4.3 billion) and a dedicated global workforce of over 44,000, Thai Union is recognized as a leading seafood producer and a major provider of shelf-stable tuna products. The company's extensive brand portfolio includes international favorites such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, and many more, alongside leading Thai brands and specialty ingredient and supplement brands. Committed to "Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans," Thai Union is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a founding company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and the current Chair of Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS). Thai Union's commitment to sustainability through its SeaChange® strategy has earned it a place on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for nine consecutive years and recognition on the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for six consecutive years. Discover more about Thai Union's sustainability efforts at se