The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership announced on 25 April that a new Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) has been formed in Mauritania to promote sustainable octopus fishing.
The FIP’s work plan is targeting a sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC has worked with the fishery since 2010, and assisted with developing the new FIP.
At Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, Belgium, the SFP signed a memorandum of understanding with several fisheries institutions and organizations to formalize the FIP, according to a press release from the partnership. Seafood suppliers Sea Delight and Marpefish have also signed the memorandum to participate.
“The Mauritanian fishery is an important one for octopus, and this FIP marks a strong step toward the goal of global sustainable octopus production,” said Pedro Ferreiro, Deputy Director of Buyer Engagement for SFP, in a release.
Other organizations such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the Mauritanian Ministry of Fisheries have also helped promote a national octopus eco-labeling plan.
Earlier in April, Mauritanian officials called for improvement to the quality of the fishery, according an article in APA News.
“Therefore, I call on all stakeholders in the sector to improve the quality of production of this fish species,” Nany Ould Chrougha, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, during the second regular session of the National Development Advisory Council on Catches for 2018 on 17 April. He also added that his ministry would work to improve the quality of octopus fishing this year.
Mauritania has, historically, been one of the largest producers of octopus in the world, shipping large quantities of the cephalopod to Spain, Italy, and Japan.
