French deep-sea fishing company Sapmer based on the island of Reunion, achieves Friend of the Sea certification for its purse seine fleets. Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and Bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tunas from the fishing group vessels operating in the Indian Ocean (FAO Area 51 and 57) are now authorized to carry the Friend of the Sea ecolabel.
Sapmer successfully completed assessment against FOS standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries both on its freezer purse seiners as well as at Mer des Mascareignes, its processing factory in Mauritius.
Target tuna, Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye are considered to be not overexploited in the mentioned fishing area according to the latest stock assessments. No protected areas are affected by the fishing activity. None of the by-caught species are included in the IUCN Redlist of endangered species. Sapmer purse seiners has a responsible fishing policy aimed at minimizing the impact on immature fish and other associated species and thus contributed to discards reductions.
Waste management system is in place and measures are implemented to avoid waste to be dispersed.
Sapmer guarantees a specific traceability system to demonstrate the sustainable origin of all products. It allows for any single product to be traced back to the fishing operation. The captures are frozen directly onboard at – 40 °C in order to preserve quality and taste.
“Gaining Friend of the Sea certification is a perfect example of the company’s commitment towards the preservation of the marine resources.” says Yannick Lauri, Sapmer CEO. “
For more information, please contact:
Yannick Lauri – CEO
SAPMER
communication@sapmer.fr
www.sapmer.com
Executive Director – Mr Paolo Bray
Friend of the Sea
paolobray@friendofthesea.org
www.friendofthesea.org
Friend of the Sea
Friend of the Sea is an international non-profit certification scheme for products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Certified products are fished from not overexploited nor IUCN Redlisted stocks and with selective methods which do not impact the seabed. Those originate from aquaculture are reared with respect of critical habitat, with no use of antifoulants, GMOS and growth hormones.
SAPMER
Sapmer, the Reunion Island based fishing company was founded in 1947. Since then the company has grown diversifying its activity. In 2006, SAPMER decided to invest in tuna fishing and between 2009 and 2012 five freezer tuna purse seiners of a completely new design joined SAPMER’s fleet. Their new and innovative technological concept was designed in order to meet strict requirements of quality of the catch and respect of marine environment. SAPMER’s strategy is set on new markets: The production of deep frozen tuna packaged to the clients’ requirements (fillets, steaks, and more…). In 2008 the frozen fish processing factory, Mer des Mascareignes, begins its activity in Mauritius.
