Claiming Mechanisms

The Capture Fisheries Standard establishes the following instances of reclamation:

The Capture Fisheries Standard establishes the following grievance procedures and specific requirements:

1. There must be a grievance mechanism with the Certificate Holder, established in collaboration with Registered Fishermen, implemented with the appropriate records, and supported by a system of continuous improvement. This requirement must be met within the first year of certification.

For example: association leaders could file complaints regarding prices or payments for fishery products sold under Fair Trade terms.

2. The standard requires that the Fair Trade USA Grievance Procedure have been communicated to Registered Fishermen and crew members, and that the procedure be accessible to all. This must be met within the first year of certification.

For example: a fisher could file a complaint directly with Fair Trade USA if they believe the Certificate Holder is violating the Capture Fisheries Standard.

Click here to learn more about Fair Trade USA’s Grievance Procedure.

3. The Fishermen’s Association must incorporate grievance mechanisms for its membersinto its internal rules and must maintain records of those grievances. This requirement must be met by the third year of certification.

For example: a crew member might complain because they are not allowed to observe the weight of the catch when the fishery products are unloaded. 

Extra resources: 
Fair Trade USA Complaint Procedure.