Atlantic Shrimpers Prim7stars shrimps will now carry the Friend of the Sea label, after the company’s Nigerian trawlers recently completed the nonprofit group’s audit for tiger shrimps.
Atlantic Shrimpers is the largest fishing company in Nigeria and one of the largest in Africa, with 70 trawlers in its fleet.
According to Friend of the Sea, the fleet’s fishing gear meets requirements. The trawlers don’t operate in protected area, do not overexploit the marine populations, and discard rates were “negligible,” Friend of the Sea found. Any bycatch, the group noted, is sold on the market, not thrown away.
The group also noted that the trawlers pack and label the product on the boat, improving traceability.
“We are proud to have obtained the Friend of the Sea certification," said Kamlesh Kabra, Atlantic Shrimpers CEO, “a recognition which once more highlights our efforts towards the preservation of the marine habitat.”
