Solander Fiji tuna. (Photo: Solander/FIS)

MSC-certified Fiji tuna enters European market

Thanks to achieving Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, international seafood supplier Anova Seafood has been able to introduce Fiji albacore tuna in Europe, formally launching it at the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) in Brussels this week. It will be available to consumers in both fresh and frozen form starting in June.

After three years of work, the efforts of members belonging to the Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association (FTBOA) allowed the fishery to meet the MSC  standard for sustainable fisheries in Fiji’s economic exclusion zone (EEZ) within the South Pacific Ocean since December 2012.

The Fiji albacore tuna longline fishery has slashed its environmental impact and created jobs for Fijians, explained Rhadika Kumar, General Manager of Solander, one of the companies in the FTBOA.

“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,” said Kumar.

“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,” she continued.

The fishery is also receiving a higher return for this new premium product.

To safeguard Fiji’s natural biodiversity and marine life which fuels the country’s massive tourism sector, every single crew member has been trained in turtle release and turtle relief gear is on-board every vessel. This has resulted in turtle bycatch standing at less than 0.01 per cent.

“These will be the first sustainable tuna steaks that perfectly match with the needs of the consumer in terms of size, shape and quality. There will also be sashimi quality tuna defrosted for the fresh market,” said Hendrik Colpaert, Unit Manager of Marketing & Retail at Anova.

Anova will sell tuna steaks within their brand ‘The Sea & We’, which focuses on sustainability.

Anova Seafood has been a leading seafood supplier for the European retail and foodservice sector since 1995. The head office is based in Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, with foreign offices in Indonesia (tuna) and Vietnam (pangasius, prawns). Supermarket chains throughout Europe sell 60-70 per cent of all its seafood products.

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Address:	Hambakenwetering 15
City:	Hertogenbosch
State/ZIP:	(5231 DD )
Country:	Netherlands
Phone:	+31 73 750 2000
Fax:	+31 73 750 2001
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