Human rights in a sea of market-based approaches: Evaluation of market-based tools integrating social responsibility in the Sustainable Seafood Movement

Abstract

Social responsibility in the Sustainable Seafood Movement has accelerated in the past several years, as human rights and labor issues are increasingly being integrated into market-based approaches such as certifications, fishery improvement projects (FIPs), and buyer sourcing commitments. There is skepticism around the ability to adequately address human rights within the context of market-based approaches originally designed for environmental sustainability. Experts have raised concerns about the voluntary nature, reliance on social audits, poor enforcement mechanisms, and limited worker representation of these interventions. Using desk-based research and key informant interviews, this study presents a critical evaluation of the market-based interventions integrating elements of human and labor rights. The overarching purpose of this study is to characterize how various initiatives in the Sustainable Seafood Movement are embedding human rights and social issues, in addition to challenges in doing so, and specific areas for improvement. Results suggest that while certifications can be a useful intervention in establishing a minimum level of compliance for the sector, they require improved accountability systems and continuous, internal monitoring led by workers. The FIP model, requiring continuous reporting of progress over time, could potentially be an alternative to the certification model contingent on the adoption of strong enforcement mechanisms. Finally, buyer sourcing commitments have the potential to hold businesses accountable, but voluntary commitments often lack tangible action, like embedding comprehensive processes of human rights due diligence, to protect fishers and workers. It is critical to address the current limitations of voluntary, market-based approaches and move towards mandatory human rights due diligence, better practices for worker engagement, and stricter mechanisms to ensure accountability.