DOM - SeaChoice

Seafood Progress

Brand's Commitment to Sustainable and Socially Responsible Seafood

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2023 aggregate score

Seafood Progress Average : 66

Score Trend

Increased Since Last Year

NGO Partner

Ocean Wise

Sustainability Commitment

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Progress Report PDFs

2023

2022

Headquarters

Ontario, Canada

Seafood Progress: DOM

Overview

Commitment to Sustainable Seafood

How committed is DOM to sustainable and socially responsible seafood?

	Fresh	Frozen	Shelf
Store brand
Seafood brand
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Summary

100 %

of products sold in 2023 met commitment.

Sustainability Commitment. DOM’s Sustainability Commitment states that it is committed to sourcing all of its farmed products from organic certified or ASC certified sources. If organic certified or ASC certified products are not available, its minimum sourcing standard for its farmed products is GLOBAL G.A.P. All of DOM’s wild products are currently MSC certified, and it is committed to upholding this commitment depending on availability. DOM has already achieved this commitment (100% farmed product is GLOBAL G.A.P and 100% wild product is MSC certified), and has a full chain traceability policy that traces at least the product scientific name, geographic origin, farmed or wild and gear type or farming method (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

Clear Objectives

Supplier Expectations

Traceability Policy

Reporting on Activities

Social Responsibility Commitment. DOM’s Supplier Code of Conduct states that it is committed to operating safely and sustainably, guided by its own standards built on those of its customers and on international standards and guidelines, such as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ILO conventions and recommendations. As part of this commitment, DOM expects the same compliance from its suppliers. To become or remain a supplier for DOM International, suppliers must comply with the same standards and sign its Supplier Code of Conduct on an annual basis (personal communications, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

Step Scores

1 Commitment on sustainable seafood

Does the grocer have comprehensive seafood commitments?

2 Colecting Data

Does the grocer collect data to support its commitment?

3 Responsible Sourcing

Does the grocer make responsible sourcing decisions?

4 Transparency

Is the grocer transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

5 Education

Does the grocer educate key stakeholders about the importance of its seafood commitments?

6 Supporting System Improvements

Does the grocer take initiative to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

Notes

In the process of developing this profile, SeaChoice corresponded with Domenic Porporo, Owner of DOM International and Rupali Sanas, Director of QA and Safety.

Step Scores

1 Commitments

Does the brand have comprehensive seafood commitments?

2 Collecting Data

Is the brand collecting data to support its commitment?

3 Responsible Sourcing

Is the brand making responsible sourcing decisions?

4 Transparency

Is the brand transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

5 Education

Does the brand educate key stakeholders about its seafood commitments?

6 Taking Initiative

Does the brand take actions to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

Notes

In the process of developing this profile, SeaChoice corresponded with Domenic Porporo, Owner of DOM International and Rupali Sanas, Director of QA and Safety.

Step 1: Commitment

1 Commitment

Does the brand have comprehensive seafood commitments?

1.1 The brand has a publicly available commitment on environmentally sustainable seafood.

DOM’s Sustainability Commitment states that it is committed to sourcing all of its farmed products from organic certified or ASC certified sources. If organic certified or ASC certified products are not available, its minimum sourcing standard for its farmed products is GLOBAL G.A.P. All of DOM’s wild products are currently MSC certified, and it is committed to upholding this commitment depending on availability. DOM has already achieved this commitment (100% farmed product is GLOBAL G.A.P and 100% wild product is MSC certified), and has a full chain traceability policy that traces at least the product scientific name, geographic origin, farmed or wild and gear type or farming method (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% No publicly available environmental sustainability commitment.

20% General commitment to environmentally sustainable seafood.

40% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives for sustainable procurement.

60% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards (such as Seafood Watch or Ocean Wise ratings, eco-certifications, etc.).

80% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards and a full chain traceability policy in place (or a timeline set for implementation) that traces at least the product scientific name, geographic origin, farmed/wild and harvest method.

100% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards, a full chain traceability policy and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).

1.2 The brand has a publicly available commitment on socially responsible seafood.

DOM’s Supplier Code of Conduct states that it is committed to operating safely and sustainably, guided by its own standards built on those of its customers and on international standards and guidelines, such as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ILO conventions and recommendations. As part of this commitment, DOM expects the same compliance from its suppliers. To become or remain a supplier for DOM International, suppliers must comply with the same standards and sign its Supplier Code of Conduct on an annual basis (personal communications, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% No publicly available social responsibility commitment.

20% General commitment to socially responsible seafood.

40% Commitment to social responsibility includes with worker driven objectives that are based on credible international standards (The UN’s Guiding Principles, The WBA’s Seafood Stewardship Index, ILO and the UN Declaration).

60% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives and actions or expectations for seafood suppliers.

80% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, and a clear and effective traceability policy that at least involves tracing data on the existence of an independent trade union or representative worker organization.

100% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, a clear and effective traceability policy, and the grocer reports publicly on activities to support social responsibility on at least an annual basis.

Step 2: Collecting Data

2 Collecting Data

Is the brand collecting data to support its commitment?

2.1 The brand collects data on scientific name.

DOM collects data on species scientific name for all products (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.2 The brand collects data on geographic origin.

DOM collects data on geographic origin for all products (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.3 The brand collects data on whether wild or farmed.

DOM collects data on whether farmed or wild for all products (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.4 The brand collects data on gear type or farming methods.

DOM collects data on gear type or farming method for all products (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

Step 3: Sourcing

3 Responsible Sourcing

Is the brand making responsible sourcing decisions?

3.1 The brand publishes a clear hierarchy demonstrating its sourcing priorities.

Through its Seafood Progress profile, DOM has published the standard it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for wild commodities, and publishes a general list of standards it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for farmed commodities.

0% Does not publish the sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions.

25% Publishes a general list of sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions.

50% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards used for sourcing some products, but doesn’t identify the standards it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for other products.

75% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards used for sourcing some products, and identifies a general list of sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for other products.

100% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards demonstrating its sourcing priorities for all products it sells.

3.2 The brand has reported on the percentage of seafood sold in the past year that met its sustainability commitment by volume or value.

DOM reported to SeaChoice that 100% of its farmed seafood sold met its baseline commitment standard of Global G.A.P and 100% of its wild seafood sold was MSC certified in the past year (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% The grocer has not reported on the percentage of seafood sold that met its sustainability commitment (or no information available).

25% Grocer has reported that 25% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

50% Grocer has reported that 50% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

75% Grocer has reported that 75% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

100% Grocer has reported that 100% of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

3.3 Suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold the brand's sustainability commitment.

DOM has a supplier approval program that begins with selecting suppliers that meet its sustainability standards. Information such as proof of standard certificates and other supporting documentation is provided by suppliers initially and verified by DOM on an annual basis. Furthermore, as part of the import process all products must be declared as ASC, MSC, etc. on documentation such as invoices and packing slips (personal communication, R. Sanas, 14/02/2023).

0% Suppliers are not required to agree in writing to uphold the terms of the grocer’s commitment.

25% Some suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold some of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment.

50% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold some of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment.

75% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold all of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment on at least an annual basis.

100% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold all of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment and the grocer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld on at least an annual basis.

3.4 Suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct to uphold the brand's social responsibility commitment.

DOM now has a Supplier Code of Conduct that states that it is based on its own standards as well as international standards including the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ILO conventions and recommendations. To become or remain a supplier for DOM International, suppliers must comply with the same standards and sign its Supplier Code of Conduct on an annual basis. DOM does not verify that this commitment is being upheld by suppliers (personal communications, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information).

50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the grocer’s social responsibility commitment on at least an annual basis.

100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the grocer’s social responsibility commitment and the grocer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld by suppliers of high risk products.

Step 4: Transparency

4 Transparency

Is the brand transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

4.1 The brand labels products with the information that allows consumers to make informed decisions.

DOM labels some products as wild and with scientific name, and all products with geographic origin. DOM does not label any products as farmed or with harvest method (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% The grocer does not label products with the information (or no information available).

50% The grocer labels some products with the information.

75% The grocer labels most products with the information.

100% The grocer labels all products with the information.

4.2 The brand follows best practice guidelines for making environmental claims on its products.

DOM uses its “Sourced Responsibly” self claim and the Ocean Wise endorsement claim on some products but does not make sourcing information available to back up these claims. DOM’s self claim does not adhere to ISO14021 Type ll guidance because it uses vague language and does not accompany the claim with an explanatory statement. However, DOM reported to SeaChoice that it no longer applies the claim to new packaging and intends to remove it from all packaging over the next two years as agreements with packaging suppliers expire. DOM also labels some products with the MSC, ASC and BAP certification claims which include chain of custody to serve as evidence to back up these claims (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels and does not make evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available.

25% The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels and makes evidence to back up the claim(s) publicly available.

50% The grocer uses endorsement claims on product labels but does not make the evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available – – OR – – The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels that adhere to ISO 14021 Type II guidance and makes evidence to back up the claim(s) publicly available.

75% The grocer uses certification claims as well as endorsement claims and/or self-declared claims that 1) adhere to ISO 14021 Type II guidance and proof of third-party verification on product labels and 2) makes evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available.

100% The grocer only uses credible certification claims on product labels and includes a chain-of-custody identifier with publicly available evidence to back up its claim(s).

4.3 Key information regarding the brand's products has been made publicly available.

DOM publishes the scientific name and geographic origin of all its products and the harvest method of some products through its website (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% No information has been made publicly available.

50% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type or farming method has been made publicly available for some products.

75% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type OR farming method has been made publicly available for all products.

100% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type AND farming method has been made publicly available for all products.

4.4 The brand publicly reports how much of its seafood meets its sustainability criteria by volume or value of sales on an annual basis.

DOM reported 100% compliance against its sustainability commitment for the first time through its Seafood Progress profile in 2022 and again in 2023.

0% No public information on how the grocer is doing to meet its commitment.

50% The grocer has at one point reported publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment.

100% The grocer regularly reports publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment by volume or value of sales every year.

Step 5: Education

5 Education

Does the brand educate key stakeholders about its seafood commitments?

5.1 There is a description of the brand's commitments to sustainable and socially responsible seafood on its website.

There is a comprehensive description of DOM’s environmental sourcing policy on its website but no description of a commitment to socially responsible seafood.

0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information available).

50% Training programs sometimes conducted or for only some seafood staff.

75% Training programs conducted for all seafood staff, but only once.

100% Training programs regularly conducted for all seafood staff.

5.2 The brand has taken actions to ensure its suppliers are aware of its sustainable seafood commitment.

Through its supplier approval process, DOM shares its sustainability commitment with its suppliers. However, DOM does not engage with suppliers beyond verifying their documentation on an annual basis or provide any type of direct support to help bring suppliers in line with its commitment (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

0% There is no description of the grocer’s commitments in store.

25% There is some description of the grocer’s commitment to sustainability OR social responsibility in store.

50% There is some description of the grocer’s commitment to sustainability AND social responsibility in store.

75% There is a comprehensive description of the grocer’s commitments to sustainability OR social responsibility in store.

100% There is a comprehensive description of the grocer’s commitments to sustainability AND socially responsibility in store.

Step 6: Taking Initiative

6 Taking Initiative

Does the brand take actions to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

6.1 Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

DOM is committed to not selling any genetically engineered or modified farmed salmon and has signed a statement to that effect. Additionally, DOM is a partial owner of the Organic Salmon Farm in Scotland and supports improvements to organic standards by making improvements to its farming practices (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

Only sells farmed salmon products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are produced in a closed containment facility, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for salmon farming management to be more environmentally sustainable (25 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve salmon farming practices and/or to support their transition from open-net systems to closed containment systems (25 pts).

Preferentially procures farmed salmon from closed containment producers and sources that are Recommended by Ocean Wise or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (25 pts).

Does not sell genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GM) farmed salmon (25 pts).

6.4 Other species

DOM preferentially sources MSC certified versions of its wild products, which are fully traceable through chain of custody (personal communication, D. Porporo, 14/02/2023).

Only sells versions of this product that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC/ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for harvest or farming method and management to be more environmentally sustainable (20 pts).

Collaborates with other companies pre-competitively to improve fishing or aquaculture practices (20 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve fishing or farming practices (20 pts).

Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC/ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch (20 pts).

Prioritizes sourcing products with high levels of social responsibility and/or traceability (20 pts).

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