Staff Code of Conduct & Ethics
1. Introduction
At Global Fishing Watch (GFW), we believe that the way we behave drives the ultimate success of our mission, and that we do our best work when we treat each other with respect. To that end, we have a few ground rules to which we expect our staff to adhere to, with the goal of ensuring respect in the workplace along with positive and constructive interactions between colleagues.
Global Fishing Watch requires senior leadership, managers and staff to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. Staff and representatives of Global Fishing Watch must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an environment that is free from all types of discrimination and from abusive, offensive or harassing behaviour.
2. Scope
The Staff Code of Conduct & Ethics applies to all employees and contractors of Global Fishing Watch.
This Code of Conduct & Ethics also applies to Board members when they are representing Global Fishing Watch.
3. Our Standards of Behaviour
Compliance with our Staff Code of Conduct & Ethics will create a positive employee relations climate and promote a culture where honest and ethical conduct is recognised, valued, and exemplified throughout the organisation.
Be welcoming. We strive to be an organization that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to, members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, colour, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.
Be considerate and patient. Your work will be used by other people and you, in turn, will depend on the work of others. Any decision you make will affect colleagues and you should take those consequences into account when making decisions. Remember also that we are a remote global organization, so you might not be communicating in someone else’s primary language.
Be respectful. Not all of us will agree all the time, but disagreement is not an excuse for poor behaviour and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration now and then, but we cannot allow that frustration to turn into a personal attack. It’s important to remember that a workplace where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not a productive one. Members of Global Fishing Watch should be respectful when dealing with each other as well as with people outside the organization.
Be careful with the words you choose. We are a community of professionals, and we conduct ourselves professionally. Be kind to others. Do not insult or belittle other colleagues. Harassment and other exclusionary behaviour are not acceptable, and can lead to disciplinary measures up to and including termination. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Violent threats or language directed against another person.
- Discriminatory jokes and language.
- Posting sexually explicit or violent material.
- Posting (or threatening to post) other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”).
- Personal insults and bullying.
- Unwelcome sexual attention.
- Repeated harassment of others. If someone asks you to stop, then stop.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Any staff or Global Fishing Watch partner who feels harassed or discriminated against, should immediately report the incident to his or her manager or to human resources. Please consult the handbook for additional details related to our Anti-harassment Policy and the Safeguarding and Protection Against Sexual Abuse (SPSEAH).
When we disagree, try to understand why. Professional disagreements happen all the time and the Global Fishing Watch workplace is no exception. It is important that we resolve disagreements and differing views constructively.
The strength of Global Fishing Watch lies in its diversity; people from a wide range of professional backgrounds, nationalities, languages and cultures working towards a shared mission. Different people have different perspectives on issues. Critical to our mission, is the ability to offer unique perspectives and to understand why someone holds a different viewpoint. By understanding other viewpoints, we ultimately make better decisions. Please remember that it is human to err – we should offer to help resolve issues and learn from mistakes.
In Slack and other channels, we ask that you do not send any unwarranted private messages. This applies to staff and external partners of Global Fishing Watch.
4. Gifts and Entertainment
(to be read in conjunction with the Conflict of Interest Policy and the Anti-Corruption Policy)
It is important that we avoid any perception that Global Fishing Watch can be influenced in business decisions or activities by gifts and entertainment or any payments other than formal grant deliverables and authorized business transactions.
a. Receiving Gifts and Hospitality.
Normal business courtesies provided by a customer, partner organization, research partner, government representative or vendor may be accepted. Normal business courtesies include such things as modest meals that take place in the course of conducting business, at a conference or joining a customer/vendor to attend a local sporting or other moderate entertainment event. However, care should be exercised to make certain that the value and frequency are not excessive under the circumstances. Please see further paragraph below for guidance.
You may not allow anyone with whom Global Fishing Watch has a business relationship to pay for personal travel or lodging on your behalf.
You should discourage and, when necessary, tactfully decline gifts from vendors, customers or others with whom Global Fishing Watch has a business relationship. Infrequent nominal gifts may be accepted within local norms of business culture; these types of gifts include novelty mementos (pens, notebooks, water bottles, calendars, t-shirts, lapel pins etc…) and flowers and perishable food gifts (fruit baskets, candy, a bottle of wine, etc…). The cumulative total value of all such gifts received from a single individual or organization in a calendar year should be less than USD$200 or equivalent.
In order to prevent the possible appearance of impropriety, any gifts of more than a nominal value that are received, are considered to be the property of the Global Fishing Watch and must be reported to and turned in to the Chief Operations Officer, who will donate them to charity or make them available to the general employee population, as appropriate. Assessments will be made based on the gift. In some cases, they may be sold locally, or given to a local charity.
b. Giving gifts and arranging hospitality.
In certain circumstances, entertaining in a moderate fashion or offering a modest gift to a business partner will develop or maintain relationships and further business goals. Such behaviour is acceptable provided it could not be perceived as unfairly influencing any business relationship and is approved in advance by your manager. Gifts and entertainment are a significant aspect of doing business in some countries. Understanding and adapting to local practices is important, as long as participating in those practices does not compromise Global Fishing Watch’s ability to make fair and objective business decisions, or violate any laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States (1977), the UK Bribery Act (2010) and other countries’ similar laws and regulations. All expenses must be documented, and the business purpose clearly stated. You should always be sure to follow the most restrictive laws and policies in situations when Global Fishing Watch policy is different from local practices or laws.
Providing meals or entertainment that are moderate in nature and cost and are designed to facilitate the conduct of appropriate business activity, are acceptable. Excessive alcohol consumption or entertainment that would not be appropriate in the workplace is not acceptable. All expenses must be documented, and the business purpose clearly stated. The employee in the most senior position is responsible for paying the bill and submitting the expense for reimbursement. Similarly, you are prohibited from accepting excessive hospitality or entertainment, including entertainment that would not be appropriate in the workplace, from vendors or others with whom Global Fishing Watch has a business relationship.
In cases of uncertainty or the need for policy clarification, you are urged to consult with your manager prior to incurring a particular expense. Although, in most cases, advanced approvals are not required, you bear the responsibility for ensuring that all expenses are authorized. Any unauthorized expenses will not be reimbursed.
5. Honorarium
An honorarium is a one-time payment granted in recognition of a special service or distinguished achievement, such as a special lecture, participation in a workshop or panel discussion, or similar activities. In order to ensure that the recipient and Global Fishing Watch are not conflicted, or perceived to be conflicted, in any way, all honoraria must be pre-approved by the Chief Operations Officer.
6. Procurement integrity
Global Fishing Watch bids fairly and ethically on potential work and we ensure that all statements, communications, and representations to potential clients, customers and funders are accurate and truthful. When contracts or grants are awarded, Global Fishing Watch must comply with all specifications, requirements, and clauses.
Global Fishing Watch’s procurement and hiring process is fair and transparent. All procurement transactions will be conducted to provide – to the maximum extent possible – free and open competition among suppliers, to obtain the best possible quality at the best possible price.
For all purchases and procurement up to $7,500, the final provider selection must be formally justified by the Director/Senior Director.
For all purchases and procurement between $7,500 and $25,000, the final provider selection must be formally approved by the COO.
In addition, for all purchases above $25,000, at least three concurrent offers should be secured and the final provider selection must be formally approved by the CEO.
In the event it is not possible to obtain three different offers, for instance due to the specificity of the procurement requirements, this exception must be formally documented.
Any procurement over $250k must be formally approved by the Board.
Note that the vendor selection template can be found here or in the google drive template gallery.
7. Board Compensation
No Board of Directors member can receive compensation from GFW. Any actual or potential conflict of interest must be disclosed in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy.
8. Corporate Record Keeping
Global Fishing Watch creates, retains and disposes of company records as part of the normal course of business in compliance with all Global Fishing Watch policies and guidelines, as well as all regulatory and legal requirements. All corporate records must be true, accurate and complete, and company data must be promptly and accurately entered in Global Fishing Watch books and in accordance with other applicable accounting principles. Global Fishing Watch’s staff must not improperly influence, manipulate or mislead any audit, nor interfere with any auditor engaged to perform an internal independent audit of Global Fishing Watch’s books, records, processes or internal controls.
9. Your Responsibilities
As a staff member of Global Fishing Watch, you must fully comply with this Code for the duration of your employment or contract with Global Fishing Watch.
This Policy was adopted by Global Fishing Watch’s Board of Directors at its meeting on 21 Aug 2025.