Sustainability
We are committed to the sustainability of tuna fisheries. We only use Skipjack tuna and we were the first to source tuna fished using Dolphin Safe methods for Greenseas tuna in 1991.
Today, we are even more committed to preserving our marine environment, for example:
- We will source 100% of our tuna from FAD-Free fishing methods by the end of 2015
- We are providing financial support for scientific research in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO)
- We support the principle of marine reserves as a contributor to maintaining the health of the WCPO fishery, and
- We are providing financial support for a range of conservation partners through our Friends of the Sea campaign, to help to preserve marine biodiversity
Going FAD-Free
We have committed to sourcing 100% of our tuna from FAD-Free fishing methods by the end of 2015
Most canned Skipjack tuna is caught using purse-seine fishing methods. Around half of all purse-seine fishing activity in the WCPO also uses fish aggregation devices (FADs). FADs include man-made and naturally-occurring objects and attract fish because they offer protection in open waters. They help vessels to find fish and also increase the volume of fish in each catch - so they reduce fuel consumption and increase productivity. However, when a purse-seine vessel fishes for Skipjack on a FAD, there is usually a higher proportion of Yellowfin and Bigeye tuna (including juveniles) included in the catch. Scientists are concerned about the stock levels of Yellowfin and Bigeye tuna (Skipjack stocks in the WCPO are at good levels) and recommend catch reductions. Reducing the use of FADs by purse-seine tuna vessels is a good way to ensure we can maintain healthy stocks of Yellowfin and Bigeye tuna.
Supporting Science and Conservation
We have been providing financial support to the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) run by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community since 2008. The OFP provides research services and scientific advice to all those involved in tuna fishing across the region. Click here for more information about the OFP and stock assessments for all tuna species in the WCPO.
As part of the Friends of the Sea campaign, Greenseas is also providing financial support to non-tuna marine research and conservation organisations including Opération Cétacés , the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) and the Derwent Estuary Program .
Greenseas will contribute a total of $100,000 to marine conservation as part of the Friends of the Sea campaign. Every can sold in Australia by April 2012 will contribute 10c per can to the OFP and Conservation Partners, up to a total of $80,000. The remaining $20,000 will be allocated between Opération Cétacés, the Derwent Estuary Program and the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) based on on the number of “friends” each of the creatures achieve in the game .
We also support the principle of marine reserves as a contributor to maintaining the health of the WCPO fishery.
Traceability and Labelling
We only sell legally caught tuna and trace every batch to the fishing vessel. Our suppliers must demonstrate full-chain traceability documentation that accurately records the name and flag of the Vessel, the tuna species caught (by weight), the area and period of catching and the name of the Captain. We also regularly assess the risks of IUU, including reviewing RFMO blacklists, and implementing appropriate mitigation methods to eliminate the risk of sourcing IUU-caught product.
We include the fish species (Skipjack) and fishing method (Purse-seine) on our Greenseas canned tuna labels and will also include the Area of Catching (WCPO) on the label by March 2012 (availability of tuna cans labelled with the Area of Catching may vary depending on stock levels in each store).
Our labels also include "For more information on tuna sustainability visit www.tuna.com.au " – a website explaining the different species and fishing methods and providing information about FADs, bycatch and proposed marine reserves.
Glossary
WCPO – Western Central Pacific Ocean
FAD – Fish Aggregation Device
IUU – Illegal, Unreported and Underregulated
RFMO - Regional Fishery Management Organisation
In the News
Click here for our latest media release - 13th October 2011
