Taiwanese tuna broker F.C.F. Fishery Co. has achieved Friend of the Sea (FoS) certification for a number of its purse seine fleets.
Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) tuna from the certified vessels operating in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (FAO Area 71) can now carry the FoS eco-label, following a successfully completed assessment against the standard.
Targeted tuna stocks of yellowfin and skipjack are considered to be not overexploited in the Western Pacific, according to the latest assessments, and no protected areas are affected by the fishing activity.
F.C.F. Fishery certified tuna originates from purse seiners that have responsible fishing policies in place aimed at bycatch and discard reduction. The company and vessels' crews have also been audited for Social Accountability and have been found to be compliant with FoS requirements. A waste management system is in place to avoid pollution at sea and in the harbours.
“We received market requests for Friend of the Sea certified tuna”, said Chris Hsu, vice president of F.C.F. Fishery. “The audit requirements are very strict so we are proud to have obtained the certification for some of our purse seiners. We will continue to rely on Friend of the Sea to increase the number of certified vessels.”
