Friend of the Sea announces the certification of Dover sole (Solea solea), Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), Turbot (Psetta maxima), Brill (Scopthalmus rhombus) and Dab (Limanda limanda) from Noordzee Vissers Consortium III.
NVC III is a group comprising of 10 family owned enterprises based in Urk in the Netherlands, some with roots far back in the 19th century. Products are available in a wide variety, fresh or frozen and all of which are fully traceable.
Fishing is practiced off-coast with the sumwing technique in the North Sea fishing area FAO 27, an area heavily influenced by natural a-biotic factors. All minimum sizes for fish and net are respected. Catches are reported and all regulations are followed. The fleet has strict sustainable management policies in place and follow yearly fishing quotas.
Yvonne Bakker-Romkes, R&D manager for Noordzee Vissers group is very pleased with the achieved certification. She states “It is an important step which assures both the fishermen and our customers the sustainability of our fish and fish products. We have appreciated the collaboration with Friend of the Sea and we have learned a lot from the project.”
Earlier the Dutch Government has granted financial support to NVC II, a group of 9 Dutch twinrig fishermen to have their seafood products eco-labeled with Friend of the Sea. The Dutch Government fully promotes fishermen and sustainable catch. This audit is scheduled to take place in the next few months.
Executive Director of Friend of the Sea, Paolo Bray adds, “Noordzee Vissers Consortium III has worked very hard to gain Friend of the Sea certification for their products. We are proud of their sustainable processes.”
