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Bolton has always been committed to an increasingly sustainable sourcing of raw materials and to the development of sustainable supply chains, to the promotion of actions aimed at fighting illegal fishing and reducing bycatch, and to the protection of the balance of the marine ecosystem.
In December 2016, we signed a responsible fish sourcing partnership with WWF involving all our brands (Rio Mare, Palmera, and Saupiquet) and all our procurements, aimed at helping safeguard a healthy ocean and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on it.
This collaboration focuses on increasing the sustainability of our brands’ supply chains by sourcing from more sustainable fisheries and advocating for the responsible management of tuna stocks globally.
The partnership also aims to strengthen the long-term resilience of tuna and other key species and their ecosystems. Bolton Group commits to conduct its fishing activities in an ethical, legal, transparent, and fully traceable manner.
The objective of this partnership is to increase the procurement and production of sustainable products:
• Today, almost 70% of our branded products sourcing comes from MSC certified fisheries or Credible and Comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs). By 2024, we aim at reaching 100%.
• In terms of transparency and traceability, 100% of our tuna products are fully traceable from catch to plate, with information being shared in real-time with consumers.
• By 2024, 100% of other fish species sourced by Bolton Food (Salmon, Mackerel, and Sardines) will come from MSC/ASC fishing activities or from FIP/Aquaculture Improvement Projects – AIPs.
Sustainable raw materials
Tuna
Sardines
Our fishing methods 2021 (%)
We diversify tuna species
Tuna is a migratory species mainly fished in oceanic waters between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. 86% percent of the tuna caught is constituted by two species: Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis). According to the most recent ISSF stock assessment, 86% of the tuna stocks enjoy good health.
To protect the balance of the marine ecosystem, we have decided over time to gradually diversify the tuna species we fish by reducing catches of Yellowfin tuna from 100% to 56% thanks to the introduction of Skipjack, which now accounts for 44% of our supplies. We have made a commitment not to purchase or market either endangered species or species at risk of extinction, such as red tuna (Thunnus thynnus).
Type of tuna (%)
SKIPJACK %
YELLOWFIN %
Big Eye %
Our procurement areas 2021 (%)
*data related to the Rio Mare, Saupiquet and Palmera brands
We diversify fishing zones
Our sourcing policy is based on ISSF indications and all our supplying fleets respect the ‘closed-to-fishing’ periods indicated by the RFMOs to guarantee that tuna schools have adequate time to reproduce and repopulate. Most of our raw materials are sourced from the West Pacific Ocean, which has the lowest incidence of bycatch compared to other oceans.
We oversee the supply chain
Traceability is an essential tool to guarantee food safety and promote the protection of the marine ecosystem.
For this reason, in 2015, we were the first Italian company, and among the first in the world, to obtain international ISO 22005 certification of our traceability system from DNV-GL (Traceability System in the feed and food chain). This certification enables us to monitor a complex supply chain like that of tuna.
The project:
- involves more than 500 items produced on 10 production lines,
- monitors and examines all suppliers globally through real-time access to procurement data,
- enables us to provide detailed information, certified by an independent third-party, to consumers who request it on Rio Mare and Saupiquet’s websites.
Value chain
We work for the safeguarding of human rights
Oxfam and Bolton work together for a fairer and more sustainable fish supply chain.
The aim of the partnership is to set new standards of corporate social sustainability in the fishing industry.
A new vision of fair and sustainable food
Bolton seeks to promote a new vision of “fair and sustainable food”, not only for the environment and the consumers but also for the people who produce it. The aim is to build an “increasingly fair supply chain”, where inclusion, elimination of injustices, gender equality, respect for rights, and safe and dignified working conditions are guaranteed for all its components.
Partnership is our leadership
The partnership includes a four-year roadmap to 2024, with a robust process of analysis of the global tuna supply chain by Oxfam to further protect and enhance the people and communities involved. This work is fully in line with the relevant international standards contained in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business.
APR-AENOR certification for our brand Isabel
In Spain, our tuna brand Isabel was the first brand in the world to obtain the APR – AENOR certification. This certification ensures controls over all aspects of fishing, from safety to the best social and working conditions, according to International Labor Organization (ILO) standard 188. It also ensures that tuna fishing is part of a comprehensive improvement program, in order to follow the most advanced environmental practices, prevent illegal fishing, and ensure maritime and food safety according to European standards.
Bolton’s Fishing Policies
In 2019, we drafted two fundamental policies on fishing. Both were made public, shared with, and adopted by all of our suppliers.
The Tuna Fish Policy, which was updated in 2019, governs fishing activities and all related aspects by establishing clear criteria based on the ISSF’s conservation measures on environmental impact, namely the choice of the most sustainable fishing methods, as well as on respecting human rights along the entire chain.
The Vessel Code of Conduct, edited according to the principles issued by the ILO convention and the Seafood Task Force, provides rules regarding respect for human rights and protection on-board ships by identifying a set of criteria, such as the freedom of association, minimum salary, and the prevention of child labour, which all suppliers commit to comply with.
Human rights require special attention in the fishing industry; however, our commitment to this matter is central to the entire Group. We have shared the Group’s Policy on Human Rights with all employees, customers, and suppliers. More specifically, every year the latter is involved in a monitoring process involving specific appraisal activities, in order to ensure compliance with the criteria defined in the Policy for performance assessment.
Reports & Policies We work for the safeguarding of human rights
Oxfam and Bolton work together for a fairer and more sustainable fish supply chain.
The aim of the partnership is to set new standards of corporate social sustainability in the fishing industry.
A new vision of fair and sustainable food
Bolton seeks to promote a new vision of “fair and sustainable food”, not only for the environment and the consumers but also for the people who produce it. The aim is to build an “increasingly fair supply chain”, where inclusion, elimination of injustices, gender equality, respect for rights, and safe and dignified working conditions are guaranteed for all its components.
Partnership is our leadership
The partnership includes a four-year roadmap to 2024, with a robust process of analysis of the global tuna supply chain by Oxfam to further protect and enhance the people and communities involved. This work is fully in line with the relevant international standards contained in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business.
APR-AENOR certification for our brand Isabel
In Spain, our tuna brand Isabel was the first brand in the world to obtain the APR – AENOR certification. This certification ensures controls over all aspects of fishing, from safety to the best social and working conditions, according to International Labor Organization (ILO) standard 188. It also ensures that tuna fishing is part of a comprehensive improvement program, in order to follow the most advanced environmental practices, prevent illegal fishing, and ensure maritime and food safety according to European standards.
Bolton’s Fishing Policies
In 2019, we drafted two fundamental policies on fishing. Both were made public, shared with, and adopted by all of our suppliers.
The Tuna Fish Policy, which was updated in 2019, governs fishing activities and all related aspects by establishing clear criteria based on the ISSF’s conservation measures on environmental impact, namely the choice of the most sustainable fishing methods, as well as on respecting human rights along the entire chain.
The Vessel Code of Conduct, edited according to the principles issued by the ILO convention and the Seafood Task Force, provides rules regarding respect for human rights and protection on-board ships by identifying a set of criteria, such as the freedom of association, minimum salary, and the prevention of child labour, which all suppliers commit to comply with.
Human rights require special attention in the fishing industry; however, our commitment to this matter is central to the entire Group. We have shared the Group’s Policy on Human Rights with all employees, customers, and suppliers. More specifically, every year the latter is involved in a monitoring process involving specific appraisal activities, in order to ensure compliance with the criteria defined in the Policy for performance assessment.
Reports & Policies