Friend of the Sea makes one more important step into the UK and European market as Tuna Retail Sales – a main supplier of tuna from the artisanal vessels of Sri Lanka – obtains certification.
The fishery assessed is composed of vessels up to 18 meters in length, deploying an average of 500 hooks per line. These small vessels “ multi hook short-lines” fish at depths up to 150 meters. Discards are less than 1% as the fishery is much more selective than alternative gillnets and the catch is loaded onboard alive. Tuna catches represent up to 90 percent of total catch, depending on the fishing season. The rest of the catches comprise mainly of swordfish.
An onsite audit by an international independent certification body was run at the fishery, verifying the fishing method, discards composition, compliance with national regulation and traceability up to the finished product. All future companies’ procurements will be monitored for traceability by the local Friend of the Sea monitor.
“Our company has always been sourcing only from the local artisanal vessels as we are aware of the sustainability of this fishing method.” explains Mr Weerawardena, MD of Tuna Retail Sales “The Friend of the Sea certification will further highlight the environmental value of our tuna origin”
