Germany''s supermarket chain, the EDEKA Group, has become the first German member of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), for its sustainably caught tuna caught using the pole and line method.
The group said that its membership of the IPNLF is a further step in its ongoing commitment to protecting the world’s oceans and fish stocks. The majority of EDEKA-own brands are already certified according to internationally recognised eco-label standards.
John Burton, Chairman of the IPNLF, said: “We believe retailers, caterers and brands have a key role to play in using their buying power to help develop the industry. To ensure that new and existing fisheries can credibly supply the fast growing consumer demand for pole and line caught tuna, we will work with our members to bridge the gap between supply and demand.”
To coincide with this latest commitment, EDEKA has launched a number of own-label canned products comprising pole and line caught tuna from the Maldives. In addition to displaying the IPNLF logo, these products also bear Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
Since 2009, EDEKA has also worked closely with WWF to promote the sustainable development of tuna fisheries worldwide. It supports various WWF marine conservation projects that promote sustainable tuna fisheries, including endorsing the use of environmentally friendly fishing gear and researching and protecting spawning grounds.
According to the agreement between EDEKA and WWF, EDEKA’s own brand products that comply with and are accordingly certified under recognised standards are also allowed to carry the WWF Panda logo on the packaging.
