Atlantic Shrimpers operates in the area since 1996, now counting 70 fishing trawlers and being the largest fishing company in Nigeria and one of the largest in Africa. Atlantic Shrimpers Limited and Primstar B.V. are producers and exporters of sea frozen products from Nigeria, exporting to Europe, USA & Far East, and also provide seafood for the domestic market.
Atlantic Shrimpers Limited works closely with the regulatory body, Federal Department of Fisheries (F.D.F.) in the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure sustainable and responsible fishing practices and has actively participated in the Global Environment Facility (G.E.F.) United Nations Environment Programme (U.N.E.P.) Food and Agricultural Organization (F.A.O.) shrimp fisheries project for studies in by catch reduction.
The Penaeus monodon stock was found to be not overexploited and fishing gears met all Friend of the Sea criteria. Trawlers do not operate on rocky or coral areas, not even in the river mouth areas and no Marine Protected Areas are to be found within the fishing zone. Gears are designed complying FAO and USA guidelines on use of Turtle Excluder Devices in order to preserve the seabed and reduce bycatch.
The discard rate is negligible, the entire catches must be reported to the Fishery Department and all bycaught fishes is actually sold on the market. Waste and energy efficiency systems are in place.
Furthermore all products are packed and labeled directly on the boat during the freezing, reporting freezing date, EU approval number, vessel name, and batch number.
“We are proud to have obtained the Friend of the Sea certification", says Mr Kamlesh Kabra, CEO of Atlantic Shrimpers Limited, “a recognition which once more highlights our efforts towards the preservation of the marine habitat.”
