Pacifical tuna now traceable through blockchain

From this month forward, tuna products from the Western Central Pacific Ocean can have their origins traced and verified via blockchain, following Pacifical’s decision to extend its traceability platform and to start publishing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification and traceability data using the Ethereum public interface.

Information is collected by linking all data sources within the tuna marketing company’s supply chain – from the fishing boat, through the production process, and up to the final point of sale.

Using unique tracking codes found on the products' packaging, information on each product can be verified, including the captain, vessel, method, area and period that the tuna was caught, where and when it was processed, along with product characteristics and brand information.

With Pacifical representing the interests of the eight Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) as well as the associated Tokelau territory, the public blockchain covers more than 220 large fishing vessels. That's the entire supply chain and chain of custody of about 35 million tuna caught annually.

In a statement, Pacifical said that it will provide “a new level of transparency and better standardized communication within the global tuna industry,” and that publishing the non-commercial and non-confidential data will offer faster traceability and increase consumer confidence.

The platform is provided in cooperation with Thailand-based blockchain company Atato. It enables fishermen, traders, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers to connect, view, upload, manage, and share selected Pacifical records.

"The tuna supply chain is global, dynamic and complex in nature. At Pacifical, we have been long time believers that our customers deserve to know the origin of their fish accurately. That is why since the beginning we have offered full traceability from sea to end market for all our products. Today we are extremely proud to go even one step further by including more than 200 million consumer units of Pacifical tuna per year in over 23 countries to be traced, shared and verified through the Ethereum blockchain," said Henk Brus, managing director of Pacifical.

Pacifical is initially making two blockchain-powered modules available. In the future, it will also develop non-public commercial and logistic modules with its supply chain partners.

It also said that some major brands were in discussion to join the platform.