By Atuna
Tuna processing company MW Brands is threatening with legal action against the program Hugh’s Fish Fight on the British Channel 4 for making “false allegations’’ that MW Brands tuna catch in Ghana is taking with considerable by-catch of other species like shark, dolphins and turtles.
According to the online publication Intrafish, MW Brands did send a letter to Channel 4 which states the intention “to bring an action of defamation in the event that any allegations are broadcastâ€.
Although the program was broadcasted last 12th of January, it’s not clear if MW Brands will proceed with the announced legal action. MW Brands told Atuna they could not contact their spokesperson due to a technical computer disorder, so the action could not be confirmed nor denied.
In the Channel 4 documentary a group of Greenpeace campaigners follows the track back of a tin of private label Tesco tuna to the Pioneer Food Cannery in Ghana, which is owned by MW Brands. In Ghana they talk with two men presuming working for Pioneer and the related fishing vessel which are certified as Dolphin friendly by the Earth Island Institute. Both of the men confirm nonetheless by-catch of shark, dolphin and turtle.
According to the letter, the video contains false and misleading information. Subtitles where giving a wrong translation of the answers of the workers and are false and inaccurate according to MW Brands. The company complains of statements made by ‘non-official and unauthorised personal’ and about the going on board on their fishing vessel without official permission. Dolphins don’t associate with tuna in the Atlantic, sharks are a rare by-catch and turtles “are always returned to the sea†according to the letter of MW Brands quoted by Intrafish.