Anova to sell world’s first Fair Trade certified seafood through Safeway stores

American tuna producer Anova Food has announced it will begin importing the world’s first seafood certified under the international Fair Trade program.

The company, a subsidiary of Bumble Bee Foods, announced the certified seafood will debut on store shelves in March, starting in grocery store chain Safeway’s Northern California Division stores. The Fair Trade certification refers to sourcing seafood in a socially sustainable manner, or from fishing groups that don’t use forced labor, child labor or other unethical practices.

In this case, according to Anova, the company will source tuna products from sources in Indonesia certified under the Fair Trade program. The first products will be packed under Anova’s Natural Blue brand and come from four associations representing 120 small-scale fishermen in the Indonesian Maluku island chain. The fishermen use single-hook handlines attached to handmade kites, to catch large adult yellowfin tuna.

“Working with industry professionals, groups such as WWF, USAID, NGOs, the Indonesian government, marine biologists, sustainability experts and retailers has given us a complete perspective on the sustainable harvesting methods of tuna,” said Helen Packer, coordinator of Anova’s Fishing and Living program, which supports the company’s sustainability goals. “Partnering with Fair Trade has assisted our ongoing efforts to provide responsibly-sourced seafood while also building resilient livelihoods in impoverished coastal communities.”

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