Retailer Snapshot
Sobeys is committed to not selling “any seafood species that have major sustainability issues associated with them”. This means it avoids species listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, seafood sourced from high-risk fisheries that are not engaged in an improvement project, or products from suppliers known to engage in illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing. Sobeys reports that it continually gathers information such as species’ scientific names, geographical location of harvest, and fishing gear type from suppliers, but SeaChoice was unable to determine if this applies to all wild-caught seafood products and if similar information is collected for farmed products.
Tweet this retailer and let them know what you like – or don’t like – about their policy. For example:
According to Seafood Progress, @Sobeys collects sourcing info on its seafood products. This is a good first step, but I'd like to know how much seafood you sell is in line with your sustainability commitment! #transparency Click To TweetSeaChoice contacted Sobeys about its Seafood Progress profile and were informed that Sobeys is transitioning from a regional to a nationally structured company and that sustainability remains a key consideration of its seafood sourcing. Nonetheless, SeaChoice did not receive any information about Sobeys’ sustainable seafood commitment or procurement policies in the lead-up to launching Seafood Progress. As such, its profile is based solely on publicly available information, which doesn’t include the degree of progress Sobeys has made in meeting its sustainable seafood commitment, information on Sobeys’ labelling policy, or specific actions Sobeys is engaged in to support improvements in high risk fisheries. SeaChoice looks forward to engaging with Sobeys and developing a more complete Seafood Progress profile for the company moving forward.
Step 1: Does the retailer have a comprehensive commitment on sustainable seafood?
Overall Step Score
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Does the policy include time-bound objectives for addressing environmental issues, social concerns and traceability?
The step score is based on the average of Step 1 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
1.1 Has a publicly available commitment or policy to source more environmentally sustainable seafood
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
Sobeys’ commitment is to “not sell any seafood species that have major sustainability issues associated with them”. This includes not sourcing any species listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, from high-risk fisheries without an improvement plan or from suppliers known to engage in illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing. Sobeys’ procurement policy supports comprehensive and basic Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) that are able to demonstrate adequate progress.
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy
- 25% General statement of commitment to sustainable seafood without clear objectives or timelines
- 50% Clear objective for sustainable procurement but no reference to standards and no timeline
- 75% Clear objective for sustainable procurement that references a standard with clear objectives but no timeline
- 100% Clear objective for sustainable procurement that references a standard with clear objectives and a timeline (or a timeline is not needed because objectives are already being met)
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
“Sobeys requires that suppliers operating in countries at risk for social compliance issues, provide independent audits as proof that their operations meet [their] expectations”. These expectations include that people involved in the catching, farming and processing of seafood do so under “accepted global standards for safe and fair working conditions”.
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy
- 25% General statement or stance on social responsibility
- 50% Stance on social responsibility with reference to a credible international standard (e.g. the International Labour Organization, the UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights, etc.)
- 75% Social responsibility commitment that references a credible standard with clear objectives OR actions or expectations made upon seafood suppliers
- 100% Social responsibility commitment that references a credible standard with clear objectives AND actions or expectations made upon seafood suppliers
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy for traceability
- 33% General statement of commitment traceability without clear objectives or timelines
- 66% Clear traceability objectives but no timeline
- 100% Clear traceability objectives and timeline
- Scoring Rubric
Step 2: Is the retailer collecting data to support their commitment?
Overall Step Score
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- Sobeys
- National Average
What information is the retailer collecting to monitor the environmental and social sustainability of their seafood products?
The step score is based on the average of Step 2 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
Sobeys reports that it “continually gather[s] sourcing information such as species, tonnage, geographical location of harvest, and fishing gear type from suppliers for the seafood they supply for our company.” SeaChoice was unable to confirm if species’ scientific names are collected for all seafood products.
- 0% No data collected on species' scientific names (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on species' scientific names
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on species' scientific names
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
Sobeys reports that it “continually gather[s] sourcing information such as species, tonnage, geographical location of harvest, and fishing gear type from suppliers for the seafood they supply for our company.” SeaChoice was unable to confirm if country of origin is collected for all seafood products.
- 0% No data collected on country of origin (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on country of origin
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on country of origin
- Scoring Rubric
2.3 Retailer collects data on whether the seafood products being sold are wild or farmed - the "how"
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
Sobeys reports that it “continually gather[s] sourcing information such as species, tonnage, geographical location of harvest, and fishing gear type from suppliers for the seafood they supply for our company.” SeaChoice was unable to confirm if information on whether the product was wild or farmed is collected for all seafood products.
- 0% No data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
Sobeys reports that it “continually gather[s] sourcing information such as species, tonnage, geographical location of harvest, and fishing gear type from suppliers for the seafood they supply for our company.” SeaChoice was unable to confirm if gear type or farming methods are collected for all seafood products.
- 0% No data collected on gear type or farming methods (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on gear type or farming methods
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on gear type or farming methods
- Scoring Rubric
Step 3: Is the retailer making responsible sourcing decisions?
Overall Step Score
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Are the retailer’s procurement decisions supporting their environmental and social sustainability commitments?
The step score is based on the average of Step 3 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% No sustainabilty criteria used to inform purchasing decisions (or no information available)
- 100% Sustainability criteria used to inform purchasing decisions
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% Retailer did not demonstrate how much of their seafood sold meets their sustainability commitment (or no information available)
- 25% Retailer can demonstrate that 25% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 50% Retailer can demonstrate that 50% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 75% Retailer can demonstrate that 75% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 100% Retailer can demonstrate that 100% of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No mention in commitment beyond requiring that “suppliers operating in countries at risk for social compliance issues, provide independent audits as proof that their operations meet [Sobeys’] expectations.”
- 0% Retailer does not work with suppliers on social issues (or no information)
- 50% Retailer does some work with some suppliers on some social issues
- 100% Retailer is very active with suppliers in respect to social issues
- Scoring Rubric
Step 4: Is the retailer transparent about their commitment?
Overall Step Score
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Is the retailer making information regarding the environmental and social performance of their seafood products publicly available and are they reporting on progress against their sustainable seafood commitment?
The step score is based on the average of Step 4 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% Retailer does not label products with the information (or no information)
- 50% Retailer labels some products with the information
- 100% Retailer labels all products with the information
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% Retailer does not label seafood with applicable eco-labels (or no information)
- 100% Retailer labels seafood with eco-labels as applicable
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% No product procurement information has been made available (or no information)
- 50% Some seafood product procurement information (such as region and gear types) has been made available
- 100% All seafood product procurement information (including region and gear types) has been made available
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% No public information on how the retailer is doing to meet their commitment
- 50% Retailer has at one point in the past reported publicly how much of their seafood sold meets their commitment by volume/value
- 100% Retailer regularly (at least every two years) reports publicly how much of their seafood sold meets their commitment by volume/value
- Scoring Rubric
Step 5: Does the retailer educate staff, customers and/or vendors about the importance of their commitment to sustainable seafood?
Overall Step Score
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Is the retailer educating their employees, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders about their sustainable seafood commitment, environmental and social issues in seafood, and the importance of traceability?
The step score is based on the average of Step 5 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information)
- 50% Training programs are sometimes conducted, or are available only for some seafood staff
- 75% Training programs are conducted for all seafood staff, but infrequently (less than every two years)
- 100% Training programs are regularly (at least every two years) conducted for all seafood staff
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- 0% There is no description of the sustainable seafood program in store (or no information)
- 50% This is some description of the sustainable seafood program in store
- 100% There is a comprehensive description of the sustainable seafood program in store
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
Suppliers from “at risk” countries are presumably asked to sign a Code of Conduct (or similar) that requires them to submit independent audits of the social standards in their operations.
- 0% Suppliers do not have to sign a Code of Conduct in relation to the retailer's seafood policy (or no information)
- 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a Code of Conduct that covers some of the retailer's seafood policy
- 50% All suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers some of the retailer's seafood policy
- 75% Major suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of the retailer's seafood policy
- 100% All suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of the retailer's seafood policy
- Scoring Rubric
Step 6: Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?
Overall Step Score
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Does the retailer sell ‘Priority Seafood’ products (products that have high volume of sales in Canadian retail stores and are generally not recommended by the Ocean Wise Seafood Program) or SeaChoice Priority Species (species that enter the supply chain via Canadian fisheries and aquaculture operations with significant sustainability challenges). And if so, do they support improvement and how?
The step score is based on the average of Step 6 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- Doesn't sell product (100 pts)
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
- 0% Sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- Doesn't sell product (100 pts)
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- Doesn't sell product (100 pts)
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest or farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing/farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries/farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries/farms that are MSC/ASC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
- Scoring Rubric
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- Sobeys
- National Average
Scoring Rationale
No information in commitment.
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest or farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing/farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries/farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries/farms that are MSC/ASC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
- Scoring Rubric
Sobeys
Location
Across Canada's provinces (except Quebec)
Number of Stores
1,500+
Sustainable Seafood Policy
Seafood Progress Reports
