The Bumble Bee Seafood Company has announced that it will accelerate its sustainability efforts with a $40 million investment over the next five years.
The US seafood producer aims to further restore and protect the health of the world’s oceans with a dedicated Accelerator Fund, focused on addressing the biggest sustainability challenges facing the marine industry and environment.
The investment will also help the company to ensure the abundance of tuna stocks, reduce the impact of fishing on other species, and remove plastics and other waste from the ocean.
“Our sustainability journey started many years ago and we’re proud of our past accomplishments, but now is the time to accelerate our actions,” said Jan Tharp, president and CEO of the Bumble Bee Seafood Company.
“It’s the right thing to do for our planet, for the billions of people who rely on seafood for sustenance and for the long-term success of our business,” she continued.
The Accelerator Fund will also enable the company to pursue new ideas, partnerships and technology, as well as continuing ongoing initiatives that have proven successful.
Initiatives include: The Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere; Plant-Based Foods (earlier this year, Bumble Bee became the first major seafood company to enter the plant-based protein sector, in a joint distribution venture with Good Catch Foods); Global Ghost Gear Initiative; and Reducing Plastic Shrink (making its overall packaging nearly 95% recyclable in 2020 and 98% by 2025).
“Our bold goals for the future are based on our unwavering focus to restore and protect the health of our oceans,” added Tharp. “Our past efforts are inspiring the path forward, and we’re building in flexibility and accountability along the way.
“I am personally challenging us to be more collaborative and to continuously learn and adapt as we track our efforts. We’re all in this together.”
Jeff Demain, director of World Oceans Day said: “As a seafood industry leader, Bumble Bee shares in our mission to protect the ocean – every day, year-round. We’re proud to partner as they further advance their environmental sustainability efforts, and with their support, we can continue growing the global movement to protect our blue planet and our one global ocean.”
Further details are available in the company’s Seafood Future Report, which is being updated annually to track their progress.
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