Source: FIJISNEWSEU
Brussels – International seafood supplier Anova formally launched their Fiji Albacore tuna range at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels.
Speaking at the event, Unit Manager of Marketing & Retail, Hendrik Colpaert, said: “For Anova, this is a wonderful opportunity to announce the good news.
“After all, in the seafood industry, sustainably caught tuna has been long awaited.
“There is increasing demand of consumers and professionals for sustainably caught and fully traceable MSC certified tuna.”
Anova Seafood will offer the MSC-labelled Albacore tuna from Fiji as of June in both fresh and frozen form.
The Fiji albacore tuna longline fishery operates in the South Pacific Ocean in Fiji’s economic exclusion zone (EEZ).
For three years, members of the Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association (FTBOA) worked to meet the MSC standard for sustainable fisheries.
These efforts have ensured that their tuna has been eligible to bear the blue MSC ecolabel for sustainable fisheries since December 2012.
Solander general manager Radhika Kumar said the fishery had reduced is environmental impact.
Solander is one of the companies of the Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association.
MSC preference
“Achieving the internationally recognised MSC standard for sustainability proves that this small island nation has world-class fishery management, it’s something we’re very proud of.”
MSC certification of Fiji Albacore Tuna Longline and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification for their associated processing factory, Tri Pacific, has created new jobs for Fijians.
Additionally it has opened up new markets for the fishery to sell their albacore as a premium product to Europe.
“We’re the first Pacific tuna fishery to sell our products direct to Europe with the complete chain of custody in place.
“Before MSC certification, our Albacore would go straight to canneries but now we are able to market it as a sustainable, fully traceable premium tuna to be served as delicious steaks through Anova in Europe.”
The fishery is also receiving a higher return for this new premium product.
As tourism is the leading economic activity driver in Fiji it is important for the fishery to safeguard the natural biodiversity and marine life.
This keeps some 500,000 tourists visiting each year to snorkel and dive.
Turtle by catch
Which is why every single crew member has been trained in turtle release and turtle relief gear is on-board every vessel.
Turtle by catch is less than 0.01 per cent and of the five turtles captured during assessment four were released alive.
For years retailers have been asking for tuna steaks that are not only of high quality but also meet the world’s highest standard for sustainability.
Standards
“These will be the first sustainable tuna steaks that perfectly match with the needs of the consumer in terms of size, shape and quality.” Mr Colpaert explained.
“There will also be sashimi quality tuna defrosted for the fresh market.
“Anova will sell tuna steaks within their brand ‘The Sea & We’, which focuses on sustainability.”
“This first shipment has as destination some of the leading retailers in Europe that, like us, have sustainability within the core of their strategy.
“We appreciate very much the efforts done by fishery Solander and processer Tri Pacific Ltd to get an MSC certification organised for their albacore tuna.”
