ABOUT SEAFOOD LEGACY
“Seafood Legacy” is a social venture company that offers sustainable seafood consulting services with the aim of ensuring that our future generations can inherit the abundant seafood that embodies the deep connections between our local communities, fishery economics, and marine ecosystems.
Our goals include supporting seafood supply chain companies to procure sustainable seafood, supporting NGOs in their activities associated with fisheries, and sharing our strategic planning capabilities and communication channels with companies engaged in CSR initiatives.
Seafood Legacy designs regional solutions that meet the latest international standards through a non-competitive platform that brings our diverse stakeholders together to tackle existing challenges through the power of collaboration.
Message from CEO
CEO
Wakao Hanaoka
In the ocean, we cannot breathe normally nor move quickly.
This made me realize that the global environment is not something that we have created, but is what keeps us alive in the first place.
I started my journey in Malaysia, where I was involved in shrimp farming.
The locals were cutting down mangrove forests and destroying the coral reefs to create more farming ponds.
I quickly learned that Japan is the largest customer of those shrimp farmers.
I realized that the problem that must be solved was actually in Japan.
When I returned to Japan, I joined an international NGO and became involved in its activities.
I recognized that genuine social reform is only possible when we go from identifying existing issues to designing solutions through collaboration.
"Designing seafood sustainability in Japan, together"
Seafood Legacy was founded with the aim of realizing this dream.
Seafood Legacy brings together businesses and initiatives aimed at tackling social issues to raise the standards of Japan’s seafood industry and create solutions that can be passed onto future generations.
Credo
Responsibility to future generations
Our first responsibility is to maintain connections between the environment, the economy and society for future generations. The ocean is a common asset for mankind and a resource we borrow from future generations. We plan our activities with the vision of future generations enjoying the benefits of the ocean. We strive to maintain a high level of integrity—and are committed to fair and ethical judgment and action.
Responsibility to our partners
Our second responsibility is to our partner organizations; governments, corporations, and philanthropic organizations that are committed to fulfilling their social responsibility to future generations. By understanding the potential needs of partner organizations, participating in related innovative fields and designing regional solutions based on international standards, we exceed our partners’ expectations.
Responsibility to our employees
Our third responsibility is to our colleagues with whom we collaborate to achieve our common goals. We aim for every employee and team to find joy in their work and to support each other and enhance our strengths. Our employees work hard to support their families. We support that by ensuring safe working conditions.
Meet Our Team
Founder / CEO
Wakao Hanaoka
Founder / CEO
Wakao Hanaoka
Founder / CEO
Wakao Hanaoka
After working in marine conservation in the Maldives and Malaysia, Wakao joined Greenpeace Japan as a Senior Ocean Campaigner, where he started the Sustainable Seafood Market Project. Later, Wakao founded Seafood Legacy in Tokyo in 2015, to build Japan-centric solutions for seafood sustainability by addressing the importance of domestic business-led initiatives to create a driving force for regulatory reforms.
- Expert Advisor of the Cabinet Office Council for Promotion of Regulatory Reform Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Working Group
- Committee Member of Fishery Agency Catch Documentation Working Group
- Committee Member of the Fishery Agency, Wide Sea-area Fisheries Adjustment Commission
- Steering board member of Global Sustainable Seafood Initiatives (GSSI)
- Recipient of 2019 SeaWeb Seafood Champion Award Leadership Category
- Committee Member of Digital Agency (in preparation), Day of Digital Working Group
Senior Officer
Aiko Yamauchi
Senior Officer
Aiko Yamauchi
Senior Officer
Aiko Yamauchi
Born in Tokyo. After studying coastal fisheries resource management and operation, Aiko joined WWF Japan Conservation team as a fisheries officer. At WWF Japan, Aiko focused on engaging domestic and international stakeholders to collaborate and promote sustainable fisheries and smart management of ocean resources. She also led a joint marine conservation project of WWF Japan, Chile, Indonesia, and China. After Aiko joined Seafood Legacy, she is in charge of strategy development and technical implementation for both Fishery Program and Business Engagement Program. Aiko holds a doctorate degree from Graduate School of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.
- Member of the special committee of stock management of Fisheries Policy Council
- External reviewer of SH”U”N project by The National Research and Development Agency, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency
- Coordinator for Anti- IUU Forum in Japan
- Lecturer at Iwate University, Faculty of Agriculture
- Lecturer at Hosei University, Graduate School of Public Policy and Social Governance
Business Engagement Officer
Ryo Takahashi
Business Engagement Officer
Ryo Takahashi
Business Engagement Officer
Ryo Takahashi
Born in Sydney. Ryo majored in Agricultural Economics at Tokyo University of Agriculture. After studying agriculture in the Philippines, he became interested in doing business with foreign countries, and after graduation, he joined a trading company specializing in seafood in Tsukiji. After joining the company, he purchased wild-caught seafood products from South America and other Asian countries and sold them to a number of businesses in Japan and abroad. Currently, he is working to get people of all ages interested in the seafood industry to balance sustainable seafood and business.
Business Engagement
Kaijun Sun
Business Engagement
Kaijun Sun
Business Engagement
Kaijun Sun
From China. Have work experience at a Japanese fishery and food trading company and a Norwegian salmon maker. Experienced mainly in import/export/processing/sales of seafood. Also have experience as processing management of overseas factories. At Seafood Legacy, to optimize the use of domestic fishery resources. Worked on end-user companies to spread sustainable seafood. Also provide sales support to producers using the sales network. I believe that Japan's fisheries industry has great potential.
Organizational Operation Chief
Kazumi Fujii
Organizational Operation Chief
Kazumi Fujii
Organizational Operation Chief
Kazumi Fujii
Kazumi is in charge of back-office operations. She contributes to the growth and capacity building of individuals and the organization. Kazumi graduated from Yokohama National University, The Faculty of Education and Human Sciences.
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
Communication & Branding Officer
Miki Yamaoka
Communication & Branding Officer
Miki Yamaoka
Communication & Branding Officer
Miki Yamaoka
After studying morphological taxonomy in university, Miki coordinated several Japanese eel conservation project at a university laboratory. Aiming to raise awareness for sustainable seafood by interweaving science and society, Miki joined Seafood Legacy and leading communication and PR projects.
Communication & Branding Officer
Mariko Arikawa
Communication & Branding Officer
Mariko Arikawa
Communication & Branding Officer
Mariko Arikawa
Mariko studied International Environmental Law at university. Since then, she has worked in public relations for environmental NGOs and organic food companies to increase sustainability through communication. She also has experience as a business coordinator for sustainable consumption-related projects through partnerships with municipalities, businesses, and NGOs. At Seafood Legacy, she works to increase engagement with diverse sectors through communication to achieve a sustainable and prosperous ocean.
- PR planner (certified by the Japan Public Relations Association)
- Consumer Affairs Advisor (business certification of the Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Theory of Change
The ocean will continue to provide us with its abundant gifts as long as we continue to utilize it on a scale that does not outpace its rate of regeneration.
Unfortunately, around 30% of the world’s primary fisheries resources are currently overfished, and around 60% are on the verge of being overfished. It is clear that fisheries are operating well beyond levels that are sustainable.
Coupled with other complex challenges we are facing such as the rise in seawater temperatures due to climate change, the acidification of seawater, IUU fisheries that undermine the philosophy of resource management, human trafficking and modern slavery, as well as coastal development and marine pollution, it seems that we are quickly approaching a precipice.
Corporate Info
| Company Name | Seafood Legacy Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Establishment | July 7th, 2015 |
| Address | Duplex Ginza Tower #201 8-14-9, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 |
| info@seafoodlegacy.com | |
| CEO | Wakao Hanaoka |
| Business | Consultation on sustainable seafood related matter |