John West in Australia (Simplot) has pledged to phase out the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) used with purse seine nets by 2015.
This follows a nationwide campaign that was launched by Greenpeace in October, targeting John West’s use of FADs. According to Greenpeace, in six weeks 20,000 Australians demanded that John West respect fisheries science and change their tuna, and Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle says that by committing to genuine sustainable fishing, the company has done exactly that.
Similar commitments to phase out FADs with purse seine nets have already been made by all brands and major retailers in the UK and Safeway in the US. Many other retailers and brands around the world are currently making progress to remove FAD purse seine caught tuna from their supply chains.
John West joins major Australian brands Greenseas, Safcol and Sirena in their commitment to responsible fishing.
Pacific scientists this year warned that a total ban on FADs was the best way to save the overfished Pacific bigeye tuna, as using FADs with purse seine nets can result in a high catch of juvenile tunas as well as sharks, rays, and critically endangered sea turtles.
