UNTP Implementation Status

The Sustainable Fisheries community is anchored in the work of the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), a non-profit foundation focused on creating a common language for digital traceability across seafood supply chains.

Seafood supply chains can be long, international, and operationally complex, spanning wild capture, aquaculture, landing, processing, cold chain logistics, import, retail, and food service. The GDST approach supports digital traceability by defining the key data elements and technical formats needed to exchange information across interoperable systems, helping supply-chain partners retain the origin story of seafood from catch or farm through to sale.

The GDST Standard identifies minimum data elements for GDST-compliant seafood supply chains and governs the technical formats and nomenclatures used to share traceability data. Version 1.2 of the Standard uses JSON-LD and aligns with GS1 EPCIS data exchange patterns, with GS1 Digital Link used for computer-to-computer communications.

Within a UNTP implementation context, this community can help seafood stakeholders map GDST-aligned events, identifiers, product data, and sustainability claims into interoperable credentials. This supports more consistent due diligence, stronger market access, better food safety response, and improved visibility into risks such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Pilot Implementations

1. Catch-to-Retail Traceability Pilot (2026):

   Exchange GDST-aligned catch, landing, processing, and retail events as UNTP-compatible product traceability records, validating data continuity from vessel or farm through buyer systems.

   Open outcome report

2. Aquaculture Batch Data Exchange Pilot (2026):

   Test structured data exchange for farmed seafood production batches, including farm, harvest, processing, feed-related, and certification references required by downstream buyers.

   Open outcome report

3. Seafood Due Diligence Data Pack Pilot (2027):

   Trial a reusable credential package for importers and retailers that combines GDST key data elements, source documentation, and sustainability assertions for procurement and compliance checks.

   Read case study brief

Credential Extensions

Name	Base Credential	Status
Seafood Product Passport	UNTP Digital Product Passport	Draft
Fishing Trip Declaration	UNTP Digital Traceability Event	Draft
Aquaculture Production Declaration	UNTP Digital Facility Record	Planned

Identifier Schemes

Name	Scope	IDR Status
GS1 Digital Link	Product and traceability events	In-progress
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)	Trade items	Registered
Global Location Number (GLN)	Facilities and locations	Registered

Conformity Schemes

Name	CVC Status
GDST Capability Test	In-progress
Marine Stewardship Council Chain of Custody	Candidate
Aquaculture Stewardship Council Chain of Custody	Candidate

Software Systems

Name	System Type	Issuing Status
GDST Capability Test	Traceability software validation	Operational
GDST Completeness Tool	Data completeness assessment	Operational
Seafood EPCIS Gateway	Interoperable data exchange service	Pilot