Del Pacifico Seafoods
Founded in 2014, Del Pacifico Seafoods has been determined from the start to deliver high-quality Mexican shrimp via the most sustainable methods modern harvesting and processing have to offer.
The company is an advocate for artisanal fishermen, working with day boat operators in Mexico to “offer them a fair chance to compete in the global seafood market,” according to its website. It is the current lead for the Sinaloa artisanal blue shrimp fishery improvement project (FIP), which has an “A” progress rating on FisheryProgress.org and a goal of achieving a management performance in accordance with all 28 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) indicators by the end of 2023.
Del Pacifico started its own sustainability department in January 2018 to help with the coordination of the FIP, and as a means to “organize further commitments to improve fishing practices, evaluation, and fisher’s communities,” FisheryProgress.org stated. Additionally, in 2019, the company was able to transition the FIP from “Basic” to “Comprehensive” so it could address all areas necessary for improvement.
The firm became the world’s first shrimp company to receive Fair Trade certification in 2016, having met all requirements relating to labor, trade, and responsible environmental practices evaluated by the program. It is also a member of 1% for the Planet, an international organization made up of businesses who opt-in to contributing at least 1 percent of their annual sales to environmental causes.
All of Del Pacifico’s shrimp products originate from day-boats, which use the wind and tide to drift highly-selective nets called suripera. “This technique has the lowest bycatch and fuel consumption per pound in the world,” the company said. Lot numbers on each Del Pacifico product box allow consumers to see how they’re supporting the preservation of small-scale fishing operations, with a portion of their purchase going back to the communities where the shrimp is caught for the implementation of social and environmental programs.
Here the company speaks to SeafoodSource about the integral role sustainability plays in all that it does.
SeafoodSource: What kind of trends have informed Del Pacifico Seafoods’ latest sustainability/conservation efforts?
Del Pacifico: Our sustainability efforts have primarily been dictated by our mission, values, and commitment to preserve our oceans rather than the latest sustainability trends. We do, however, align when possible with the world’s most relevant environmental certifications that will allow our consumers to easily understand how their role plays a key part in all conservation efforts.
SeafoodSource: What key features serve to set Del Pacifico Seafoods’ sustainable seafood offerings apart in the market?
Del Pacifico: We are fortunate enough to have a chance to promote a way of fishing that is truly worth preserving. Our fishermen catch shrimp with the most artisanal and sustainable methods that exist today, and handle shrimp with absolute reverence. This not only produces top of the line shrimp, but it also sets a strong example of how sustainability can be a way of conducting a successful business model in the seafood industry.
SeafoodSource: How does sustainability factor into your overall mission and strategy as a business?
Del Pacifico: It is the backbone of our company and ingrained in our DNA – the most important factor that affects every aspect of our company. It is why we are here.
