Tuna products bearing the AENOR Tuna from Responsible Fishing (APR Standard) seal will be for sale in the U.S. and Italy for the first time as Bolton Food, Salica, and Atunlo canning companies have achieved certification in the standard.
The APR standard seal is promoted by the Organización de Productores Asociados de Grandes Atuneros Congeladores (OPAGAC) – the organization that represents the Spanish tuna fleet – and certifies that tuna with the seal was caught “in accordance with the finest environmental, social, and labor standards, far above the legal requirements,” according to a release from OPAGAC.
“We consumers are increasingly willing to support buying products that we can be sure are sustainable and responsible, but now the last hurdle we’re facing is for big distribution to commit to including these values in its supply chain,” OPAGAC Managing Director Julio Morón said in a release. “This means the European Union and [its] member-states have got to set a standard of comprehensive sustainability so that all fleets play by the same rules, and they’ve got to shut the European market’s doors to fishery products caught by the fleets of countries that aren’t committed to upholding that standard.”
According to OPAGAC, the companies will be selling the products in the U.S. and Italy under the brand names Isabel, Campos, and Atunlo.
In total, 65 Spanish tuna ships, which account for 10 percent of the world’s tropical tuna catch, are now certified to the standard. The certified fleet flies the flags of eight countries: Spain, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Seychelles, Belize, Curaçao, El Salvador, and Panama.
In addition to products carrying the seal now being available in the U.S., Spanish firm La Piara has also recently achieved certification and plans to market its fish pâtés that contain tuna in Spain.
The APR Standard first became available to consumers in Spain, who could purchase tins of tuna bearing the “Tuna from Responsible Fishing” seal.
“At the fishing stage in particular, the certificate ensures control of the activity, good practices on board ship for responsible fishing, maritime and health control and compliance with social and occupational safety conditions in accordance with ILO Convention 188,” OPAGAC said in a release.
In addition to the 65 tuna vessels, 15 supply companies have also obtained certification to the standard.
Photo courtesy of OPAGAC
