Three big names in the seafood industry have added their voices to advocacy group NAPA, which has the long-term mission of securing long-term, science-based management of Northeast Atlantic pelagic stocks by putting pressure on coastal states to break the decade-long deadlock.
Ocean Brands from Canada, Simplot Australia, and Bolton Group from Italy are added to NAPA’s membership of fifty companies around the world with involvement in the seafood supply chain and with a direct interest in ensuring responsible exploitation of N-E Atlantic pelagic stocks.
‘As one of Australia’s leading food manufacturers and producers of products under the John West Australia brand, Simplot Australia is committed to sourcing seafood responsibly. This is about advancing practices to ensure the fish we rely upon today are here for future generations,’ a Simplot Australia representative commented.
‘Joining NAPA supports this commitment and endeavours to help advance the management of pelagic stocks in the Northeast Atlantic. Through working with stakeholders across our broad industry, we hope to expedite improvements that will enhance the sustainability of these fisheries.’
Of the NAPA membership, more than twenty companies joined last year alone as the movement continues to gather pace. These include companies and organisations from as far afield as South Africa and Japan, underscoring the seafood sector’s concern over the ongoing failure by coastal states to agree the division of pelagic quotas – although they all agree on the overall TAC, and then set their own unilateral quotas.
‘As one of Europe’s leading producers of canned fish – with our brands Rio Mare, Saupiquet, Isabel and Cuca – sustainability is high on our agenda,’ commented Bolton Group’s global sustainable development director Luciano Pirovano.
‘We’ve joined NAPA as the problematic management of pelagic stocks in the Northeast Atlantic is an element of worry for us and against our values: we are committed to the responsible sourcing of all our fish to ensure the long-term prosperity of the stocks and to protect the health of the oceans – this is also part of our transformational partnership with WWF. Our commitments turn into practice not only through our procurement activities, but also through our advocacy activities, of which NAPA is part.’
NAPA project lead Dr Tom Pickerell, commented that NAPA’s rapid growth in NAPA membership demonstrates the importance that food service businesses, processors, brands, buyers, and retailers everywhere are placing on the sustainable management of these pelagic stocks.
‘The Northeast Atlantic is incredibly productive, busy, and lucrative when it comes to commercial fisheries. The rapid growth in NAPA membership goes to show the importance that food service businesses, processors, brands, buyers, and retailers everywhere are placing on the sustainable management of these pelagic stocks,’ he said.
‘We’re delighted to welcome three new partners to NAPA’s growing collective who are invested in restoring the sustainability credentials of Northeast Atlantic mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring, and Northeast Atlantic blue whiting. We now have partner companies from Asia, Africa, North America, Australia, and Europe on board.’
