Yellowfin caught by the PNA Western and Central Pacific free school purse seine fishery is now eligible to carry the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel.
The fishery catches approximately 140,000 tonnes of yellowfin tuna a year, accounting for half of all yellowfin caught within PNA waters.
Nicolas Guichoux, global commercial director at MSC, said: “Healthy tuna populations are essential for both environment and fishing economies.”
He added: “The MSC Fisheries Standard provides a robust set of requirements to assess the sustainability of tuna fisheries.”
“By achieving this standard, the PNA has shown a huge commitment to securing a sustainable future for its oceans and fishing industry.”
The standard means that the yellowfin stocks are confirmed as being sustainably fishes and in a way which maintains a healthy marine environment.
“The PNA looks forward to working with brands, restaurants and retailers to increase the supply of MSC labelled sustainable tuna,” said Maurice Brownjohn, PNA’s commercial director.
“Our tuna sold with the MSC ecolabel also carries the Pacifical logo in clear representation of the end market’s commitment to the PNA island nations as custodians and protectors of a truly valuable marine resource throughout centuries and the generations to come,” he added.
This certification follows an expedited assessment by SCS Global Services of yellowfin caught by the already-certified PNA skipjack fishery.
It means that the requirements already in place for skipjack are now extended to include catches of yellowfin, including yellowfin tuna found in free school skipjack sets.
The same conditions and validity period of the MSC certificate for the PNA free school skipjack will apply for yellowfin. The current certificate is valid until December 2016.
