Mars Inc Fishery Code of Conduct Criteria
Below we describe in more detail the principles and standards to which we expect our suppliers to commit to:-
The supplier must be able to trace back to origin for each type of fish being supplied to Mars or used in a Mars
product. Records should be maintained to verify this traceability. At minimum, origin here means the catching
area as defined by the FAO but Mars would recommend that suppliers strive to improve their track & trace
capability up until the vessel positioning location and the type of gear used to make the catch.
The supplier must ensure the fish source originates from fishing operations conducted in waters within the legal
jurisdictions of the source countries and that these operations are carried out in a responsible manner and do
not originate from IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing. The fishing vessels must be a legally
registered vessel in the country of operation and in the area fished and the supplier must maintain records of
vessel markings and flag states, where applicable.
The suppliers must abide with the annual fishing bans, fishing seasons and any other conservation manners
and avoid protected/restricted areas enforced by the respective fish origin authorities.
The supplier must have appropriate measures in place to ensure the harvesting process does not impact
Endangered, Threatened and Protected species. Where appropriate, measures should also minimize catches of
juvenile fish and spawning adults. Examples of such measures may include technical measures related to limit
fish size, mesh size of gear, closed seasons, and areas and zones reserved for selected fisheries.
Suppliers shall ensure that only selective and environmentally safe fishing gear and practices are utilized in the
catching/harvesting of fish for Mars. Mars prohibits the use of explosives and poisons that impact the
biodiversity and conservation of the fish population structure, aquatic ecosystems and fish quality. Other fishing
practices (seabed trawling, FADs) shall also be avoided if impact on ecosystem and by catch species cannot be
demonstrated as minimal.
The supplier should maintain records of all fishing and carrier vessels; all processing, cold storage, and
transshipment facilities; and all procurement records related to the purchase, processing, storage, transport and
sale of all Mars fish/fishery products.
The supplier should ensure that the harvesting, handling, processing and distribution of fish and fishery
products should be carried out in a manner which will maintain the nutritional value, quality and safety of the
products and minimize fish discards and waste.
The supplier should ensure that the fishing facilities and equipment as well as all fisheries activities within your
supply chain allow for safe, healthy and fair working and living conditions (social compliance) and such
standards should be not less than the minimum legal requirements within the relevant country in which the
supplier or fishing company is operating.
The supplier should have a supplier selection/management program, which includes regular documented audits and inspections to ensure compliance with all the above requirements.