Naturland-certified product now represents more than 20 percent of Anova Food’s Lake Victoria perch sales, the Tampa, Fla.-based seafood supplier announced on Tuesday.
Demand for “alternative” species caught in a sustainable manner is rising steadily, according to Scott Purinton, VP of sales for Anova, which launched its certified sustainable Lake Victoria perch in the U.S. market early last year. The company’s Lake Victoria perch sales are expected to continue to grow, he added.
The fish is sourced from Bukoba, a small community located in northwestern Tanzania on the western shore of Lake Victoria. The fishery is support by the “Wildfish” project, a partnership between Anova Food, Naturland, Vicfish and GTZ (German Agency for Technical Cooperation) designed to ensure the longevity of the species as well as improve the ecological, social and economic conditions in Bukoba.
The perch are harvested according to Naturland’s standards for sustainable fisheries, which include fishing-gear restrictions, minimum-size requirements, price transparency and fair and safe working conditions.
“We are proud of the partnership we have on this project and the contributions it has made to the community in Bukoba,” said Purinton. “It was a pilot project that has proven its success and has given a true definition of sustainability in the industry.”
