Tuna vessels’ sustainability efforts now traceable
By SeafoodSource staff
20 September, 2012
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As of 20 September, 38 vessels had signed up for the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) ProActive Vessel Register (PVR).
PVR is a publicly accessible database of tuna fishing vessels that have committed to improving practices. Through the PVR, retailers, processors, suppliers and consumers can identify vessels that are taking a proactive approach to conservation and enacting responsible, modern fishing practices.
As a collaborative, interactive tool, the PVR provides validated information on each vessel that is registered and tracks vessel-specific detail on their progress towards implementing a series of ISSF-set standards. The commitments include improvements such as 100 percent observer coverage, skipper training and the end to at-sea transshipments for purse seine vessels. Vessels will also be provided iPads with educational materials, knowledge testing, and data-gathering applications for skippers. All data recorded will be provided to the scientific bodies of the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) on a confidential basis, to help improve science and shape policy.
“We all know that for tuna fisheries, there’s a lot of work to do. And at the same time, we should not just walk away from vessels that need time to make changes. The ProActive Vessel Register is exactly what is needed right now. Vessels that are making positive steps will be identified, verified and that information will be publically available,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF president.
“It’s important to us that every stakeholder have access to this register, and that it is validated by a credible auditing scheme, so that the marketplace can begin acknowledging the good work being done around the world to improve fishing practices. In order to usher in a new era of responsible fishing, we have to start at the beginning and the commitments we’ve outlined serve as a baseline standard for how our diverse coalition believes the tuna industry should be doing business.”
Companies from North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Africa currently have vessels listed on the PVR, including: Albacora, S.A.; Interatun, Ltd.; Guayatuna, S.A.; Integral Fishing Services, Inc.; Overseas Tuna Company, N.V.; Pesquera Ugavi, S.A.; Uniocean, S.A; Atunera Dularra S.L.U.; Atunera Sant Yago, S.A.; Conservas Isabel Ecuatoriana, S.A.; Servicios Atuneros del Norte, S.A.; and TriMarine.
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20 September, 2012