Friend of the Sea makes one more important step into the UK and European market as Tuna Retail Sales – a main supplier of tuna from the artisanal vessels of Sri Lanka – obtains certification.
The fishery assessed is composed of vessels up to 18 meters in length, deploying an average of 500 hooks per line. These small vessels “ multi hook short-lines” fish at depths up to 150 meters. Discards are less than 1% as the fishery is much more selective than alternative gillnets and the catch is loaded onboard alive. Tuna catches represent up to 90 percent of total catch, depending on the fishing season. The rest of the catches comprise mainly of swordfish.
An onsite audit by an international independent certification body was run at the fishery, verifying the fishing method, discards composition, compliance with national regulation and traceability up to the finished product. All future companies’ procurements will be monitored for traceability by the local Friend of the Sea monitor.
“Our company has always been sourcing only from the local artisanal vessels as we are aware of the sustainability of this fishing method.” explains Mr Weerawardena, MD of Tuna Retail Sales “The Friend of the Sea certification will further highlight the environmental value of our tuna origin”
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More Information:
Tuna Retail Sales was established in 2001 and has been servicing the UK and Italian retail/wholesale and foodservice sectors since. James Weerawardena, the owner/Managing Director and Olivia Remond, the company’s QA Director, have been working in this field however for the past 20 years and are highly experienced in dealing with all varieties of exotic fish and marketing to the European American and Japanese markets. The majority of products are processed in the owned factory in Kosgoda, situated in the South of Sri Lanka. Products arrive to the distribution factory in Reading UK and are re-checked for quality and dispatched overnight to all customers. The factory has been awarded the British Retail Consortium, Global Standards – Grade A continuously for the past several years.
The founder, Mr.Weerawardena has developed a unique on board processing and information system that enhance quality and reduce wastage.
On board inspectors ensure that sustainability and responsible fishing schemes are maintained during fishing. Friend of the Sea is embarking on a program which will ensure that all approved vessels are inspected periodically.
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Contacts:
Tuna Retail Sales
T: +44 1189 58 55 44
sales@tunaking.com
www.tunaking.com
