Today we’re diving into a topic that’s super important for anyone involved in sustainable seafood sourcing: FIP (fishery improvement project) progress ratings. If you’re looking for a reliable way to track a FIP’s journey toward its sustainability goals – and to know whether it’s delivering results on the water – SFP’s FIP progress ratings are designed to help.
So, what exactly are these FIP progress ratings, and how can they help you make informed decisions? Let’s break it down:
What are FIP progress ratings?
Essentially, the FIP progress ratings offer a snapshot of how well a particular FIP is advancing its workplan to improve its environmental impact over time. Developed by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) more than a decade ago, these ratings provide a high-level look at FIP progress. The ratings are based on evidence from the FIPs’ regular reports on FisheryProgress.org, MarinTrust.org, and other independent websites, ensuring that they are based on publicly available information.
You can find the ratings prominently displayed on the Improvements tab on SFP’s FishSource.org, on the Overview tab on Fishery Progress (under the “FIP at a Glance” section), and on the Marin Trust Improvement Projects page. Keep in mind, these ratings focus solely on environmental progress; for a deeper dive into the specifics, you can always check FishSource.org for detailed insights.
A user’s guide to the ratings
Now that you know what the ratings are, how can you use them to evaluate a FIP’s progress?
The key here is to check how a FIP’s rating evolves over time. This can be a strong indicator of whether the FIP is truly making strides toward its set objectives and how it is impacting the ocean environment.
The progress ratings range from A (Advanced Progress) to E (Negligible Progress). Each rating reflects the level of environmental progress made relative to specific time-benchmarks established by SFP.
FIPs with ratings A to C are making continuous progress – either by implementing actions in their workplans or by achieving results and impact on the water. For example, a squid FIP led by Taiwan recently improved from a D to a B rating after implementing an incidental catch mitigation policy. And good news: SFP updates these ratings once a month, right after a FIP submits its six-month or annual report. You can view our monthly FIP report here to see the most recent updates and stay informed on FIP progress over time, making it easy to keep track of these changes.
What if a FIP has a good or improving rating?
FIPs with ratings A to C should be recognized by markets for their progress toward achieving their sustainability goals. On the flip side, for FIPs with lower ratings, such as D or E, it is important to reach out to the FIP lead and ask how you can further support their efforts. Whether it’s through resources, network connections, or other means, collaboration can make a world of difference.
What do you do if a FIP has a low progress rating or one that isn’t improving over time?
Some FIPs may have a lower FIP progress rating due to factors beyond their control, for example, a change in government leadership or delays in management reforms. Buyers should consider the reasons behind the progress rating when making any decisions about continuing to source or not.
A good first step is to connect with the FIP lead to better understand the FIP’s challenges. Other potential actions include:
- Communicate with their suppliers who are engaged in the FIP to let them know progress is important in order for them to keep sourcing.
- Check the “Engagement Opportunities” section of the FIP profile on FisheryProgress.
- Participate in collective, pre-competitive Supply Chain Roundtables (SRs) to amplify impact, scale efforts, and advocate for improvements.
- Encourage their suppliers who are not engaged in the FIP to become active FIP participants.
- Ask the FIP lead if there are any actions the buyer can take to help advance the FIP.
- Ensure FIP profiles are correctly selected and reported in SFP’s Seafood Metrics system.
Final thoughts
Understanding FIP progress ratings is a practical way to stay informed and engaged in sustainable seafood sourcing. It empowers you to make smarter decisions aligned with your sourcing needs and sustainability goals. Next time you check out a FIP’s progress on FishSource.org or FisheryProgress.org, you’ll know exactly what those ratings mean – and how to use them.
Have questions?
You can direct questions about the progress ratings or how they are determined by contacting SFP at fipevaluation@sustainablefish.org.