Integrating Seafood Plastic and Carbon Action Plans for a Smarter Seafood Sector and Better Environment and Climate

Moderator: Dave Garforth, The Responsible Plastic Management Program CIC

Speakers: Joel Baziuk, Global Ghost Gear Initiative C/o Ocean Conservancy

                      Peter Marshall, Responsible Plastic Management Program

Plastic is an essential component used extensively throughout the global seafood industry. From nets, floats, pens, boxes, tubs, bags, liners, clothing, PPE, belts, walls, floors, even boats. It assists with catch efficiency, design innovation, durability of infrastructure and equipment, seafood product protection, insulation and prevention of food waste and much more. Unquestionably the most important material we have ever possessed. But few can ignore the negative impact of global plastic mismanagement on the environment and on climate change. Plastic mismanagement after use has caused a pollution crisis and a call on more virgin plastic to be produced. The production and destruction of global plastic accounts for 56 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic management must be integrated into organizations sustainability and carbon reduction action plans and frameworks for better business and a better environment. Plastic is made almost entirely from fossil fuel which means it has a significant carbon footprint. But at the same time, it can offer significant advantages in comparison to other materials and, used correctly and managed responsibly, can offer significant carbon reduction advantages. However, we have sufficient information and tools to make these comparisons and ensure we make better choices. A global shift in the way the industry uses plastic could bring about a substantial contribution to carbon reduction (reducing virgin plastics) and GHG emissions and seafood plastics needs to be included in the equation to reverse climate impact and the loss in nature.

However, we are only just starting to unravel the seafood plastic footprint and adding the extra dimension of mapping the seafood plastic carbon footprint will be a challenging endeavor, particularly if corporates and businesses must go it alone. Key questions arise. What are the full considerations and the extent of this double mapping task? What are the significant contributions to plastic footprints and what are the significant actions that reduce both plastic impacts and carbon emissions…and whilst maintaining viable businesses and importantly, ensure seafood continues to contribute to global food security? What are the policy implications and conflicts (e.g., food packaging legislation versus recycled content), what are the required economies of scale for collection and recycling, what are the infrastructural requirements and what are technology gaps need to be addressed?

This session identifies how this can be achieved. The panel will be managed by the Responsible Plastic Management Program and the speakers are experts in the field of Plastic Management and Sustainability Frameworks. Mapping plastic use, life cycle, end fate and leakage from the global seafood sector is an emerging activity and forming part of the seafood ESG agenda but is a very recent endeavor. What has yet to emerge, are the facts of if, how and to what extent a reduced seafood plastic footprint contributes to a reduced carbon footprint. The Responsible Plastic Management Program is a not-for-profit global assurance and improvement initiative for organizations seeking to engage with a responsible plastic management strategy. The RPM Program is engaged with over 15 industry sectors and works across key plastic driven initiatives.