Compagnie Française du Thon Océanique (CFTO) has successfully undergone Friend of the Sea audit for sustainable fisheries. CFTO is composed of 13 purse seine vessels and it is the largest tuna fleet in France.
Yellowfin, Skipjack, Bigeye and Albacore tuna from the purse seiners are thus eligible to carry the Friend of the Sea eco-label. The fleet successfully completed assessment against Friend of the Sea standards for sustainable and well managed fisheries. Part of CFTO fleet operates in the Atlantic ocean (FAO areas 34 and 47), the other part in the Indian ocean (FAO areas 51 and 57).
All vessels are registered with the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) and the IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) and they fish in accordance with these two RFMO recommendations. The fleet is also recognized by the Earth Island Institute as Dolphin-Safe.
CFTO has a responsible fishing policy aimed at minimizing the impact on immature fish and other associated species. By-catch are no more than 2.6% of the total. Use of non entangling nets reduces FADs unwanted impact. Proper handling of by catch reduces mortality.
“Friend of the Sea audit requirements are very strict so we are proud to have obtained the certification”, explains Mr. KUHN, President of CFTO/ SOVETCO. “We will continue to rely on Friend of the Sea to improve our commitment to the marine environment and to social accountability.”
More information
Compagnie Française du Thon Océanique S.A. (CFTO)
Descendants of the pioneers of French tropical fishing, CFTO operates in the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean from its hubs in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and in Port-Victoria (Seychelles).
With 13 purse-seiners at the forefront of technology, our Company is the largest fishing fleet in France, with an annual production of 65,000 T of tropical tuna, including approximately 60 % of large yellowfin tuna.
SOVETCO (Société de Vente du Thon Congelé) is the commercial and logistic department of CFTO.
www.cfto.fr
Friend of the Sea
Friend of the Sea is an international certification program for products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Over 450 companies in more than 50 countries have relied on Friend of the Sea to assess the sustainability of their seafood origins. Audits, based on best and most updated available scientific data, are run by accredited independent certification bodies.
info@friendofthesea.org
www.friendofthesea.org