MarinTrust looks to boost use of by-products through revised standard

To ensure that the standard remains relevant and fit for purpose, it must be reviewed and revised on a regular basis, which is the aim of the current revamp.

"Looking to the launch of the new MarinTrust Standard, its main governance body, the governing body committee (GBC), met earlier this week and due to the thorough processes involved in the development of Version 3.0, it has been decided that the public consultation will be held in early 2023, with the aim to launch later that year,"​ a spokesperson told FeedNavigator.

The reviewing process involves an assessment of all key stages, from the fisheries to the plants. A technical advisory committee representing the entire value chain, including marine ingredient producers, feed processors, fisheries and aquaculture standard holders, retailers, fisheries experts, and NGOs, participates in that exercise. The process is also subject to public consultation.

Francisco Aldon, MarinTrust’s CEO, explained: “The continuing evolution of the MarinTrust Standard ensures that it remains relevant, credible, and accessible. Version 3.0 is an ambitious next step, strengthening the assessment criteria for raw materials, while encouraging the use of by-products. Both assurance and traceability remain at the core of this standard, guaranteeing the integrity of MarinTrust products.” ​

Milestones ​

Despite global challenges, MarinTrust is driving improvements in global responsibility for marine ingredient sourcing and production, commented Libby Woodhatch, MarinTrust’s executive chair on the release of the certification body’s annual report​​.

That publication set out to document the achievements of the standard over the past 12 months. "This report showcases the many ways we continue to evolve and grow,” ​she said.

Newly certified sites ​

In the past year, 12 sites across Chile, Ecuador, Finland, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, and Thailand were added to MarinTrust's main factory standard. 

Four more companies were deemed compliant with the MarinTrust Chain of Custody Standard in the period. Those businesses cover a total of 14 sites in Chile, China, Peru, and Spain. The MarinTrust Improver Program (IP) accepted 30 additional sites including ones in India and Mauritania, also over the past 12 months.

The MarinTrust IP provides recognition for marine ingredients producers sourcing from a FIP fishery and encourages fisheries that supply such raw materials and that do not yet meet the conditions of the MarinTrust Standard, to implement the necessary improvements.

Remote auditing ​

As the need for remote auditing continues, this year also saw MarinTrust allow new applicants and high-risk facilities to be evaluated on a partially remote. This approach, it said, underwent rigorous pilot testing to ensure its effectiveness and robustness.

Outreach 

MarinTrust is also increasingly participating in stakeholder groups. It signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in November 2021 with the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) to collaborate to meet a goal whereby 75% of the world’s marine ingredient supplies are either certified, in assessment, in application or in the MarinTrust Improver Program by 2025. 

It also joined the Global Roundtable on Marine Ingredients, multi-stakeholder initiative working to drive environmental and social improvements in key fisheries globally. MarinTrust will contribute to workstreams on West African Fisheries, South and Southeast Asia Marine Ingredients and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).