FOS Certifies Bigeye As Sustainable Through Closed Circuit TVff

Source: Fish Updated

Pevaeche tuna Fishing Group achieved a new second Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification for its fleet in the Indian Ocean, formerly the fleet was just certified as sustainable by FOS in the Atlantic Ocean. FOS is the sustainable seafood certification scheme related to the dolphin action group EII.

Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and Bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tunas from the fishing group seiners fleets operating in the Indian Ocean (FAO Area 51.5 and 51.6) are now eligible to bear Friend of the Sea ecolabel. Inpesca SA, Inpesca Fishing Ltd and Pevasa, successfully completed assessment against FOS standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries, as formerly happened for the fleet active in the Eastern Atlantic.

Pevaeche has a responsible fishing policy aimed at minimizing the impact on immature fish and other associated species. Some vessels have installed a “waste fish belt” that makes easier the way out for juveniles or other unwanted species and significantly contribute to reduce discards; furthermore net size are increased and FADs use is reduced. By-catch is therefore less than 2% of the total: sharks and turtles, if caught, are mostly returned back to the sea alive. Target tuna, Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye are considered to be not overexploited according to the latest stock assessments.

Due to piracy activities in the Western Indian Ocean, FOS approved observer coverage is limited; an issue Pevaeche is trying to solve implementing the use of CCTV, close circuit television onboard. First images are now available so that Friend of the Sea will be able to safely continue monitoring all aspects concerning potential environmental impact of fishing operations.

Pevaeche, whose official website is now online, places sustainability at the core of its business. Paolo Bray, Executive Director of FOS, greatly appreciates the company’s efforts to comply with all FOS program requirements and the initiative to deploy CCTVs. “The initiative represents a milestone in fisheries environmental management.”