South Korea’s Dongwon Group has announced its application to join the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).
ISSF participating companies work to advocate for improved fishing methods, fund scientific advancement and take direct action to spur change.
As part of the application process, Dongwon will participate in an audit of its traceability processes, the results of which are expected by the end of the year.
“While some groups may engage in an emotional and harassing approach when it comes to tuna sustainability, we welcome collaboration with a credible, science-based organization in a productive effort to find a long-term solution to sustainability,” said Seong-yong Kim, Dongwon VP. “As a unique partnership between the global tuna industry, the marine science community and WWF, the world’s leading conservation organization, ISSF is uniquely positioned to work toward the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna stocks, reducing bycatch and promoting ecosystem health.”
ISSF, which has more than doubled its number of participating companies since 2009, said Dongwon would be a welcome member and strengthen the group’s sustainability efforts.
Dongwon has its eye on expanding globally, acquiring U.S. canned tuna giant StarKist in 2008 and West African cannery Société Nouvelle de Conserverie du Sénégal in 2010. In March of this year, the company launched talks to acquire Grupo Calvo, Spain’s leading tuna canner.
