Friend of the Sea has certified sustainable aquaculture products from more than 10 different species.
Società Agricola Sterpo SpA, based in the province of Udine (Northern Italy), founded in 1976 and supplying Coop, Finiper and Metro in Italy, has obtained the Friend of the Sea certification and applies the international seal of approval on all its consumers products, including frozen, ready to cook, take-away and carpaccio.
“Consumers are more and more demanding for sustainable production, a concept easier for them to understand than organic” comments Mr Paolo Colautti of Società Agricola Sterpo “Friend of the Sea certification has gained visibility and credibility on the market. It represents for us an important added value and further recognition of our environmental commitment.”
Friend of the Sea has already certified more than 25 aquaculture products from 10 different species: caviar, cod, halibut, salmon, sea bass, seabream, sea trout, sturgeon, rainbow trout, turbot. Products originate from both inland and offshore plants in France, Italy, Spain and UK. Forthcoming audit in March include mussels in Spain, kingfish in Australia and salmon and cod in Norway.
Friend of the Sea is also starting audit of several main fishmeal and fish feed products worldwide following retailers’ request for certified sustainable fish feed.
“The number of applications we are receiving from all over the world evidence the strong interest of aquaculture companies in a sustainability certification which can position them on the same level of wild-caught products, in terms of environmental performance.” concludes Dr Paolo Bray, director of Friend of the Sea “Following the WWF Stinky Fish campaign, (claiming farmed fish are cannibals, and stinky because they are not MSC approved!), the level of interest and applications for Friend of the Sea increased exponentially. Obviously companies are rewarding Friend of the Sea for its more balanced and professional stand and will distance from NGOs sending biased negative messages to consumers.”
For more information:
Società Agricola Sterpo S.p.A.
Dr Paolo Colautti
agricolasterpo@libero.it
