MARS Fishery Code of Conduct
Overview:
Fisheries are an important source of food, employment, trade and economic well-being for people around the
world and therefore should be conducted in a responsible manner to ensure its sustainability for present and
future generations.
Scope:
Mars’ policies related to sustainable seafood sourcing are based on the ecosystem approach to fisheries which
takes into account the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability.
This document is intended to set forth the criteria of Mars Inc Fishery Code of Conduct, to encompass and
include compliance expectations from its suppliers. These are in line with and support the FAO Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, local / national legislation and internationally recognized laws &
conventions.
Values & Principles:
At Mars, Incorporated, our business philosophy requires that we work only with suppliers who have the ability to
consistently meet our standards and specifications and are committed to values and standards of conduct that
are compatible with our own. It is important, therefore, that our suppliers and prospective suppliers understand
our philosophy since it is an integral part of our business relationship with them and no less important than
meeting our quality and service standards.
Our desired relationship with all those involved in our supply chains are best captured by what we call the
principle of “Mutuality”. This is one of the Five Principles which have guided the Mars group since its beginning
and which we believe are the real explanation for our success and the formula for our future.
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