Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd, the Tasmanian company known for its Australian blue mussels, has earned certification for sustainable seafood production by Friend of the Sea. Friend of the Sea is the leading global certification standard for products and services that respect and protect the marine environment. With this certification, Spring Bay Seafoods products can display the Friend of the Sea eco-label.
“It’s been a pleasure working with a company so dedicated to sustainability and who was first certified by us in 2009” said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea. “Spring Bay demonstrates that it is possible to apply sustainable principles to deepwater marine farming.”
Spring Bay operates deepwater marine farms in the pristine seawater surrounding Australia and Tasmania. They operate one of the only commercial-scale mussel hatcheries in the world, raising mussels from seed. In contrast to most mussel farming operations, Spring Bay raises rope cultured mussels in nutrient-rich deep water and on sub-surface suspended long-lines. With a vertically integrated approach, the company can ensure environmental quality across the entire production cycle. Their blue mussels have won many awards including a Gold Medal in the 2019 Australian Food Awards. They are featured in high-end dining in the Asia-Pacific region, but are also popular with consumers.
The Friend of the Sea certification covers the company’s sustainable aquafarming for shellfish, covering the blue mussel species. The certification also covers Spring Bay’s end processing, packing and export operations.
About Friend of the Sea
Friend of the Sea, a project of the World Sustainability Organization, awards sustainable practices in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Fishmeal and Omega 3 Fish Oil. The organization promotes pilot projects related to restaurants, sustainable shipping, whale and dolphin-watching, aquaria, ornamental fish, UV creams and others. It is the only sustainable fisheries certification program recognized and supervised globally by a National Accreditation Body.
For more information, visit https://friendofthesea.org/