Friend of the Sea (FOS) has announced the certification of Ozernovskii Rybokonzervnyi Zavod, Rybholkam Ltd and Tymlatskiy Rybokombinat Co. Ltd, partners of Unimark Maritime Group, for sockeye and pink salmon fisheries in Kamchatka, Eastern Russia.
The audit was run by an accredited international certification body and based on Friend of the Sea’s strict social and environmental requirements.
Salmon stocks in the area are neither overexploited nor overfished, as a strict system of quotas is in place, controlled by the Russian Fisheries Agency. Auditors confirmed the fisheries do not negatively impact spawning and nursery grounds. The coastal seiners fish far from the coast and protected areas, in the Sea of Okhotsk and in the Pacific Ocean waters. No other fishing method is permitted. Seals or sea lions are immediately released when they accidentally enter the traps.
Special care is given to workers and medical assistance on board is provided. Medical visits are performed every year for fishermen and every two years for workers at the processing plants on land. Strict safety measures, explained during periodic training sessions, have to be complied with.
“Unimak Maritime is proud its Russian partners are now certified sustainable by Friend of the Sea.” comments Mr William Turner, Unimak Maritime Group’s president .”This important recognition confirms our environmental conservation and social accountability policies are valid and strong.”
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UNIMAK MARITIME GROUP is an international company specializing in seafood sales and maritime vessel management. The company has more than 25 years of experience and it has developed a strong relationship with Far East Russian producers. Head office is located in Washington State’s Bainbridge Island.
For more information about Unimak Maritime Group:
Bill Turner turner@unimakmaritime.com
www.unimakmaritime.com
FRIEND OF THE SEA (FOS) is an international certification program for products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Over 350 companies in more than 50 countries have relied on Friend of the Sea to assess the sustainability of their seafood origins. Audit are run by independent certification bodies accredited by national accreditation institutes. Audit are run also on site and they are based on best and most updated available scientific data.
www.friendofthesea.org
info@friendofthesea.org
