If you would like to send us an article, contact Margaret Stacey
Frinsa works shoulder-to-shoulder with its suppliers and stakeholders in order to adhere to its strict .policy of responsible purchasing
FRINSA Tops Greenpeace’s Tuna Sustainability Spanish League
(SPAIN, 11/9/2015)
Yet again, FRINSA have topped the Spanish Greenpeace tuna sustainability league table. Hear from José Aller, Head of Sustainability, about FRINSA’s commitment to ensuring the future for the local and global marine environment.
Most of Spain’s canned tuna producers and distributors have improved in terms of traceability, their fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and their tuna purchasing policies, according to Greenpeace.
The international environmental organisation recently published the 2015 edition of its Tuna Guide, which assesses the sustainability of the 14 main brands of the canned tuna sector in Spain, including private labels and retail brands. For the second time in a row, Frinsa del Noroeste SA (FRINSA), headquartered in Ribeira, Province of La Coruña, was deemed the most sustainable company of all those evaluated.
The new study evaluates the same 14 tuna brands previously analysed in 2013 according to seven criteria: traceability, origin sustainability and fishing methods, illegal fishing, social equity, purchasing policy, information and transparency for the consumer, and additional initiatives to promote change.
“This accolade is a great honour for us and a good indication that our Sustainability Policy is moving in the right direction,” says José Aller, Head of Sustainability at FRINSA. “However, it is essential that as many tuna companies as possible are made aware of the importance of conserving resources and act accordingly.”
FRINSA fully subscribes to the view that change needs to be led from the front. To ensure the highest standards are adhered to in terms of the environment, the sustainability of marine resources and product quality, FRINSA has sought certification from a number of major international independent bodies.
The company works shoulder-to-shoulder with its suppliers and stakeholders in order to adhere to its strict policy of responsible purchasing, and also alongside environmental protection organisations, scientific institutes and independent foundations to encourage the rational and transparent use of marine resources and to preserve biodiversity. It also places huge importance on safeguarding the welfare and livelihoods of fishing communities.
“These are issues of paramount importance.
Furthermore, the fight against IUU, the creation of marine reserves, the establishment of quotas per vessel, putting fishing capacity limitations and temporary-spatial bans in place could help tuna fishing populations to thrive in the long term,” says Aller.
Over the last decade, FRINSA has consolidated its position as one of Europe’s major manufacturers of canned tuna and seafood. It is also ranked among the top 10 canned tuna producers in the world, processing more than 100,000 tonnes in 2014.
This strong position in the marketplace allows the company to provide information to consumers through a number of different channels – all aimed at helping them make more informed decisions. For example, its labelling carries information regarding the species, fishing method and catching area, while its website gives more detailed insight into the products as well as access to its Sustainability Policy.
In addition, FRINSA produces documentary films that explore the natural riches of our oceans with the purpose of contributing to their preservation. FRINSA’S latest documentary"The Legacy Of Galicia's Rias" explores the waters of Galicia and demonstrates their priceless gift to the region’s economy, gastronomy and culture; encouraging us to treat the ecosystem with respect in order to enjoy its unique characteristics in years to come: “Let us leave our legacy just as we have received our heritage”.
FRINSA have been an IPNLF network member since 2014. IPNLF members are from organisations throughout the one-by-one tuna supply chain, and support IPNLF’s work further developing pole-and-line/hand-line fisheries and promoting the benefits of these fisheries. Members share IPNLF’s vision of a future where coastal communities, and the fisheries and seas that they depend upon, thrive – something well demonstrated in FRINSA’s leadership actions.
About FRINSA
FRINSA is one of the largest European manufacturers of canned tuna fish and seafood. The company was founded in Ribeira (Galicia, Spain) in 1961.
The company’s main mission is to produce top-quality canned food, focusing its efforts on meeting clients’ expectations in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way. Thanks to this it holds the most important certificates in quality, food safety and the sustainability of fishing resources. Furthermore, it collaborates with the major organisations in the protection of marine resources.
Frinsa is the supplier of the major European chains’ own brands and also manufactures its own brands FRINSA (gourmet) and RIBEIRA.
(SPAIN, 11/9/2015)
Print
