Principles - SALT

Creating and administering a plan to collect useful data from fishing activities is a complex undertaking for governments and companies alike. But once collected, multiple stakeholders can use this data to achieve ecological, social, and economic goals. Building that triple impact, or ‘comprehensive’, approach into the design and implementation of a country’s electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) program is one method to help meet all three goals. To assist in making that approach easier to navigate, here are six principles to follow. To find out how to apply them, visit the Pathway to the Principles to discover guidance and resources to support your traceability work.

Use data to inform decision-making

Put the necessary information into the hands of the right people, so they can act upon it and make data-driven decisions while designing, implementing, and improving the eCDT program.

Create a program that is electronic, interoperable, and data secure

Increase alignment across the seafood sector by prioritizing the seamless exchange of digital data with existing traceability systems. Choose technologies that are cost-effective and meet the needs for data analysis and security.

Be inclusive and collaborative with stakeholders

Collaborate early and often with the people that will use the eCDT program, people affected by it, and advocates of both groups to improve program uptake and create multi-stakeholder oversight.

Build a lasting and scalable program

Generate and maintain support for the eCDT program—politically, financially, and with users—so it can expand beyond the pilot phase.

Maximize ecological, social, and economic benefits

Understand the ecological, social, and economic aspects of the eCDT program to maximize benefits using a comprehensive approach.

Address data and verification needs across fisheries and supply chains

Data and verification needs will differ across stakeholders and nodes of the supply chain. Recognize these unique needs while also considering how to safely and equitably collect, store, and share that data without compromising workers’ rights.