After fifteen years, French La Réunion fishing company Sapmer has finally pulled out of the tropical tuna sector, disposing of its remaining three purse seiners.
The sale has been finalised of purse seiners Franche Terre, Dolomieu and Bernica to Compagnie Française du Thon Océanique (CFTO), a subsidiary of P&P Thon. This ensures the continuity of French tuna fishing and the transfer of contracts to the crews concerned.
‘As it approaches its 80th anniversary, Sapmer is closing one chapter and opening another,’ a company representative commented.
‘Since 1947, the Reunionese company has built its trade in demanding seas – Saint-Paul and Amsterdam, Kerguelen, Crozet, then the northern Indian Ocean. Sapmer will now focus all its energy on its southern toothfish and crayfish fisheries in the TAAF, operating Réunion, with the same requirement for responsible fishing.’
