Tri Marine has accomplished a major sustainability milestone by achieving MSC certification for longline caught albacore and yellowfin tuna from the Solomon Islands, adding to its certification for pole-and-line and purse seine skipjack and yellowfin in the region.
This is the first time that all three major gear types for tuna have been certified in the same fishing grounds, demonstrating a rare example of well-balanced management.
“This is a significant achievement and the result of working closely with our colleagues in the Solomon Islands. Each catch method has unique attributes and challenges, but all have been certified sustainable thanks in large part to the fisheries management professionals at the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources,” said Tri Marine Group’s Director of Sustainability Matt Owens.
Tri Marine and National Fisheries Developments, Ltd. (NFD), Tri Marine’s fishing company in the Solomon Islands, conducted an MSC pre-assessment of the longline fishery in 2014. That was followed by a fisheries improvement project (FIP) in 2015. The fishery then moved into MSC full assessment in 2018, and ultimately achieved certification on November 28, 2019.
Tri Marine now holds three MSC fishery certifications, is leading Indonesia’s first and only purse seine tuna FIP, is a member of Indonesia’s pole-and-line and handline FIPs and is an active participant in a purse seine tuna FIP in the Eastern Pacific. Tri Marine catches, sources and promotes a significant volume of tuna from fisheries that are MSC certified or in comprehensive FIPs aimed at achieving MSC certification.
Catch from the MSC certified fisheries in the Solomon Islands can be processed at SolTuna, NFD’s sister company in Noro, Western Province. SolTuna is MSC chain of custody-certified and able to produce loins and finished goods for export markets.
The western and central Pacific is home to the world’s largest tuna fisheries and an important source of Tri Marine’s supply for global markets. Tri Marine works with a range of stakeholders to ensure tuna resources in the region are sustainably managed, including the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Parties to the Nauru Agreement, and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
“Tri Marine and NFD demonstrate distinction and commitment in achieving certification for pole and line, purse seine, and now longline fisheries in the Solomon Islands,” said Bill Holden, Senior Tuna Fisheries Outreach Manager at the Marine Stewardship Council.
“This is a significant accomplishment which requires investment in science, management and supply chains. It will contribute to the preservation of our oceans and precious tuna stocks.”
