Implementing and maintaining the human rights policy means that the named member of management is responsible for:

records that allow for the verification of the named member of management

plan of actions involved in implementing the policy

plans for monitoring implementation of the policy

evidence of any remediation or corrective actions that have taken place

plans for regularly updating and revising the policy.

that the named member of management understands their responsibilities in implementing and maintaining the policy;

that employees are aware of the named member of management responsible for the human rights policy;

that the human rights policy is being implemented, which can include checking:

A human rights policy:

Each company will need to determine for itself which human rights may need to be prioritised in its policy because this will depend on the risks associated with the:

The content of the human rights policy may vary according to the UoC’s size and national legal frameworks, and could also include the following topics:

human rights policy

evidence that senior management have signed it off

that the human rights policy is in place, approved by a member of senior management;

where the policy is communicated and available publicly;

whether the policy is available to all relevant stakeholders;

that the human rights policy is consistent with other company policies and procedures.

Some examples of human rights policies can be found here.

United Nations (2011), Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Available at: <https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf>

ILO (2022), ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up. Available at: wcms_716594.pdf (ilo.org)

International Bill of Human Rights, A Brief History and the two International Covenants. Available at: International Bill of Human Rights | OHCHR

United Nations Global Compact (2015), A Guide for Business: How to Develop a Human Rights Policy. Available at: How to Develop a Human Rights Policy 20151013.indd (ohchr.org)

OECD (2023), OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. Available at: <https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/81f92357-en.pdf?expires=1729687419&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=62CA2A98BB5F19532709D450D88B4404>

Records of regular litter collection activities and the responsible disposal of any items recovered.

Regular litter collection activities have taken place.

Alternatively, conduct a visual inspection to demonstrate low levels of waste are present on the receiving shoreline or land surrounding the site.

Global Ghost Gear Initiative (2021) Best Practice Framework for the Management of Aquaculture Gear. Prepared by Huntington, T. of Poseidon Aquatic Resources Management Ltd. for GGGI. 81 pp. plus appendices: GGGI_Best_Practice_Framework_for_the_Management_of_Aquaculture_Gear.pdf

The site should develop a maintenance plan that identifies the schedule for regular maintenance of machinery, aquaculture gear and infrastructure.

The person(s) conducting maintenance should have an adequate level of competence based on the type of maintenance required.

Maintenance plan that identifies the schedule for regular maintenance of machinery, aquaculture gear and infrastructure.

Records to demonstrate maintenance was performed according to the schedule outlined in the maintenance plan.

Written justification should be in place in cases of deviation from the schedule outlined in the maintenance plan.

The site has a maintenance plan covering regular maintenance of machinery, aquaculture gear and infrastructure.

Records that the schedule has been adhered to.

An appropriate effluent treatment should be able to eliminate or reduce to acceptable levels the discharge of (amongst others):

An effluent monitoring plan appropriate for the type and amount of processing effluent discharged.

Including the parameters, frequency of monitoring and acceptable limits.

Analysis results of the parameters included in the effluent monitoring plan.

Corrective actions when analysis results exceed acceptable levels.

Effluent monitoring plan has been developed and implemented.

This includes monitoring analysis results.

Corrective actions taken when analysis results exceed acceptable levels.

V. Venugopal, A. Sasidharan (2021). Seafood industry effluents: Environmental hazards, treatment and resource recovery. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.

Sites should identify and classify waste based on where it will be disposed of. This includes the following types of waste:

Based on the classification, sites should determine the facilities to use for waste disposal, for example:

Identification and classification of waste.

Records confirming that waste is disposed of in appropriate facilities according to its classification and the legality of those facilities.

The site:

Filters or screen barriers installed in the effluent pipe/channel prior to discharge are examples of methods for capturing non-biological solid waste.

Based on their context, sites should identify and assess non-biological solid waste that could end up in the effluent to determine the most appropriate method for its capture.

Identification (e.g. a list) of non-biological solid waste generated at the site.

An assessment of the characteristics of non-biological solid waste to determine the most appropriate method for capturing it in case it ends up in the effluent.

Records of maintenance of the method used to capture non-biological solid waste (if applicable, e.g. filter or screen barriers).

The site has identified and assessed non-biological solid waste generated.

Through site inspection, the method to capture non-biological solid waste prior to effluent discharges and its suitability.