A one-stop source for information on New Zealand seafood was launched at the New Zealand Seafood Industry conference in Wellington today.

OpenSeas is a third-party verified, broad-based transparency initiative designed to enable customers of New Zealand seafood, primarily international customers, a single, comprehensive source of information about the environmental, social and production credentials of the New Zealand seafood industry.

Programme Manager, Jodie Campbell, says OpenSeas is a first of its kind transparency initiative that has been a year in the making and brought together over 20 industry experts and five regulatory agencies to contribute to nearly 40 pages of website content.

“OpenSeas does not purport to verify individual product claims. It is simply a systematic collation of available information.”

Information contained in the site covers New Zealand's approach to sustainable use of its vast marine environment, the systems and processes used to ensure supply chain integrity and the legal protections for the welfare of workers and indigenous communities involved in seafood production.

The site also features individual species profiles, which include the most up-to-date harvest details and independent environmental certification or risk assessment scores.

“OpenSeas focuses on presenting short, digestible pieces of information about the New Zealand seafood industry, allowing users to retain and reuse the information within their own businesses.

“Ultimately, it should enable customers of New Zealand seafood to make informed choices in line with their own sourcing policies,” said Campbell.

Sitting behind the site, is a full suite of reports, supplementary documentation (such as standards, certificates and guidance), legislation and digital references.  These details can be found by navigating through the site, empowering users to access the necessary level of detail they require. All information on the site is traceable back to the source document.

OpenSeas is made to be shared. Links, factsheets, reports and references can be found throughout the site. The professionally designed format makes it easy to download, share softcopies and print hardcopies.

The OpenSeas programme is designed to assist business to business dialogue but is open, free of charge, for anyone to use.

OpenSeas is currently undergoing independent certification for the programme's Quality Management System.  Achieving certification will be a reflection of the programme's commitment to meeting the information needs of businesses while ensuring accuracy and transparency are not compromised. The aim is to achieve certification within the first six months of the programme.

For more information about the programme, visit www.openseas.org.nz or contact hello@openseas.org.nz.