MSC certification has been awarded to Orthongel, the association of French tuna purse seiners, for catches of yellowfin and skipjack tuna in Atlantic waters. This certification covers more than 90% of French tuna purse seine catches in the Atlantic.
The assessment process was initiated in 2022 by Orthongel. At the end of this 15-month assessment, independent body Control Union issued positive findings, clearing the way for MSC certification for the Orthongel fishery. No objections to this certification were placed following Control Union’s positive opinion.
‘The MSC label is a well-known reference standard for seafood products. This certification for over 90% of our catches in the Atlantic Ocean rewards the work accomplished by our shipping companies. It marks a new milestone for the French tropical tuna industry, which will now be able to make better use of its production,’ said Orthongel president Xavier Leduc.
Certification applies to nine vessels under Orthongel for catches of yellowfin and skipjack tuna in Atlantic waters. These two species represent over 90% of the volumes caught – an average of around 38,500 tonnes of tropical tuna per year, over the reference period 2016 – 2021. Around 70% of fishing operations are carried out using FADs, the use of which is strictly regulated by the Atlantic Tuna Commission (ICCAT).
Under a longstanding collaboration with the Institut de Recherche et Développement (IRD) and Bureau Veritas Living Resources, the Orthongel vessels operate with 100% observer coverage. The collaboration with scientific bodies focuses in particular on observer training, the development of biodegradable FADs, and the sharing of catch data to enable Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) to refine their estimates of the state of various tropical tuna stocks.
To maintain its MSC sustainable fishing certification, Orthongel is committed to developing biodegradable FADs – which have been non-entangling since 2012– and reducing interactions with vulnerable species. These improvements will be monitored by annual follow-up audits.
‘Orthongel is working in an exemplary way with the IRD on the collection and processing of catch data, and on the training of scientific observers on board fishing vessels,’ commented Caroline Gambin, Head of fisheries for MSC France
‘Committed to numerous scientific projects to better understand marine ecosystems, mitigate the impact of fishing on sensitive species and marine habitats, we congratulate them on their MSC sustainable fishing certification and their commitment to improving the sustainability of French Atlantic tuna fishing.’
An Orthongel representative commented that after several difficult years for the tuna sector, this certification rewards the commitment of French shipowners to sustainable practices, and testifies to their resilience.
‘At a time when consumer habits are changing, Orthongel’s MSC certification in the Atlantic will enable us to make better use of French tropical tuna catches, while continuing to offer consumers a quality source of protein at the best price.’
This follows the certification obtained by CFTO in 2021 for skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean. Over the next few months, Orthongel will also be assisting SAPMER in the process of obtaining MSC certification for its skipjack catches in the Indian Ocean.
