As part of his personal commitment to improving long-term sustainability of the oceans, Thiraphong Chansiri, avid runner and chief executive officer of Thai Union Group PCL, aims to go the distance in the Virgin London Marathon on April 23 to raise funds for WWF-UK.
Bangkok-headquartered Thai Union – one of the world’s leading seafood companies, with sales forecast to surpass THB 150 billion (US $4.3 billion) in 2017 – has partnership agreements with WWF in many countries around the world and is currently working with WWF-UK to establish a tuna Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in the Indian Ocean. It is sponsoring efforts to improve the operations of fisheries to protect stock levels, minimize the threat to endangered species, and ensure full traceability of all the company’s seafood offerings, which include frozen shrimp and value-added fish products.
Thiraphong Chansiri, chief operating officer of Thai Union Group PCL, celebrates a previously successful run at the Paris Marathon in France.CEO Chansiri aims to raise a minimum of THB 90,000 (approximately £2,000) in sponsorship revenue. The challenging 26-mile route of the London Marathon starts in Greenwich Park and takes in some of the capital city’s most iconic landmarks before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
“The work Thai Union is undertaking with WWF-UK is vital in securing the future health of the oceans and, over time, will inform the way the entire industry operates,” said Chansiri. “I am deeply committed to our partnership with WWF-UK. Running in the London Marathon has been one of my long-term ambitions, and I hope my efforts will help increase awareness of some of the key environmental issues that face our planet today.”
In December 2016, Thai Union announced an ambitious strategy to ensure 100% of its branded tuna is sustainably sourced with a commitment of achieving a minimum of 75% traceability by 2020. As part of its new tuna strategy, the company is investing over THB 3 billion (about US $90 million) in initiatives that will increase the supply of sustainable tuna, which includes establishing 11 new FIPs around the world. The program is designed to transform targeted fisheries, ensuring sustainable fish stocks, minimized environmental impacts, and improved management of the fishery.
FrozenFoodsBiz.com readers wishing to support the marathon efforts of Chansiri by making a donation to WWF-UK may do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/thiraphongchansiri.
