Grupo Amegrove, the world’s largest cooperative fishing industry society in the mussel category, has received recertification of its operations for sustainable seafood production by Friend of the Sea (FOS). FOS is the preeminent global certification standard for products and services that respect and protect the marine environment. With this certification, Grupo Amegrove can display the Friend of the Sea eco-label on its products.
“In our experience, leaders set an example for others to follow. This is one of the many things that is impressive about Grupo Amegrove and its commitment to the marine environment,” said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea. “They are the largest mussel cooperative, so the industry is watching what they do.” Grupo Amegrove has been certified by FOS since 2013.
Founded in 1977, Grupo Amegrove is made up of about 400 members, with a fleet comprising more than one hundred boats. The society has 335 rafts and a production capacity of 22,000 tons of mussels per year. They supply both Spanish and international markets. Amegrove covers all the phases of mussel production and treatment process, from cultivation to commercialization.
The society has its own infrastructures for purification, sanitary control, selection of raw material and purification. Their treatment plant is located in the port of Moloxo, at the entrance of the Ría de Arousa. The plant has a supply and purification capacity of around 140 tons every 15 hours. Their Frigoamegrove brand features cooked and quick-frozen meats from Galician rivers, to supply both the national and international markets. The Mytilus lab conducts microbiological analysis in surfaces and food as well as in fresh or sea waters.
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/