FOS approves Copeinca anchoveta fleet
By SeafoodSource staff
28 September, 2012
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Friend of the Sea (FOS) on Friday put its stamp of approval on Copeinca's anchoveta fleet in Peru, allowing the fishmeal and fish oil producer to apply the FOS label on its products. After an audit of its practices, Copeinca's purse seine fleet targeting Peruvian anchovetas (Engraulins ringens) was found to comply with all Friend of the Sea criteria for sustainable fishery.
According to FOS, the target stock of Peruvian anchoveta is not overexploited in the fishing area (FAO AREA 87). The Istituto del Mar Peruano (IMARPE) establishes very strict fishing quota, including areas and periods specifications, based on accurate data. Peru scored highest in a ranking of best-managed fisheries by country.
Copeinca's fleet of 28 purse seiners has a total capacity of 10,500 cubic meters. The vessels are controlled through a satellite system and they do not operate in Marine Protected Areas. Fishing gears comply with local regulations in force, both for maximum net size and mesh size; the fishing activity has no impact on the seabed.
Bycatch is limited to a 5 percent, lower than the 8 percent limit allowed by FOS. In the unlikely event of marine mammals bycatch, the animals are returned alive to the sea.
A waste management system is in place and the fleet only uses ammonia for the refrigerating systems on board.
Copeinca guarantees a traceability system to demonstrate the origin of both fishmeal and fish oil. Every single vessel of the fleet is monitored through the Geomap satellite software that keeps evidence of all data related to the fishing activity: coordinates, dates, catch quantities and anchovy sizes.
“Copeinca has engaged to sustainable production for several years now,” said Pablo Trapunsky, Copeinca General Manager. “Friend of the Sea certification is perfectly in line with our policies and mission.”
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28 September, 2012