The International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organization (IFFO) is backing an initiative by one of its members, Compania Pesquera Camanchaca, that aims to teach fishermen the art of environmental stewardship, including protecting marine animals such as sea turtles dolphins and sharks.
The initiative provides training for the senior crew who work aboard Camanchaca’s vessels in the northern Chilean port of Iquique.
The first seminar was held in April. Topics covered at the seminars include the ability to identify and correctly record data on protected marine mammals found off the coast of northern Chile as well as learning to return the animals safely to the sea.
Camachaca was one of the first Chilean companies to get its factories certified by the IFFO’s Global Standard for Responsible Supply earlier this year. It has now formed a partnership with the Department of Marine Sciences of the Arturo Prat University and its Technical Training Center to offer specialized training seminars to the fishermen.
“IFFO is delighted to see this excellent initiative from Camanachaca in Chile and indeed other recent developments in South America regarding the quantification and avoidance of the incidental catches of marine mammals and sea turtles,” said Andrew Jackson, IFFO technical director. “In creating the IFFO RS standard we were hopeful that this type of conservation program would be developed by our members and we look forward to hearing more good news in the future.”
