Woolworths South Africa has become the latest Member of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) to continue its commitment to responsible tuna fisheries.
This membership coincides with the launch of Woolworths’ new pole-and-line canned tuna range, which meets a momentous milestone in its Fishing for the Future initiative, and is particularly prominent as canned tuna is very much a household staple for many South African homes.
Spencer Sonn, Woolworths managing director of foods, says, “We are proud to be an active proponent in the development of responsible tuna fisheries through our sourcing commitments and support of IPNLF’s fishery projects. We are delighted to be able to increase our offer of environmentally sustainable products to our customers.”
He added: “We have partnered with the International Pole & Line Foundation to ensure the long-term viability of responsibly caught one-by-one tuna. We recognise the value that these fisheries bring in terms of quality and sustainability, and we are pleased to support them for the benefit of the coastal environment and communities connected to them”
All of Woolworths’ own-brand canned tuna will be sourced from the Maldives’ centuries-old pole-and-line fishery with immediate effect. This uses a traditional ‘one-by-one’ fishing method that is widely regarded as the most environmentally and socially responsible means of catching tuna.
Through its membership, Woolworths joins a growing network of companies that are supporting IPNLF’s work to enhance the supply of one-by-one caught tuna, and strengthen the value that these fisheries bring to the coastal environments and communities connected to them.
Martin Purves, managing director of IPNLF, explained: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming our first African retail Member to the IPNLF network; we commend Woolworths on its proactive decision to not only source tuna from a responsible one-by-one fishery, but to also become part of the growing movement working to increase the supply of sustainable tuna in order to meet the unprecedented demand from consumer markets.”
He concluded: “We look forward to increasing our engagement in this region and encouraging many other enterprises from African shores to help drive the sustainable and equitable development of one-by-one tuna fisheries.”
