Last week, Paolo Bray, Friend of the Sea’s Executive Director, traveled to Bermeo, Spain, to meet the first of 15 observers, before boarding them on tuna purse seiners of Spanish shipowners Atuneros Vascos, Inpesca, Pevasa and Seabreeze Ventures. The vessels are part of the Pevaeche group.
Observers have been approved by Friend of the Sea and they will report on all aspects related to the potential environmental impact of fishing operations.
Relevant data, such as bycatch and footage of fishing activity, will be made available to interested stakeholders and NGOs.
The fleet consists of six modern tuna fishing-freezer boats, Playa de Bakio, Playa de Azkorri, Juan Ramon Egana, Txori Berri, Txori Urdin and Txirrine, all of which are registered with The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The tuna vessels have been the first to gain Friend of the Sea certification in Europe. The group is also approved Dolphin Safe by the Earth Island Institute.
“More tuna ship owners are requesting Friend of the Sea to place independent observers on board their vessels,” said Mr Bray. “I am confident this will soon become a standard requirement for major vessels worldwide.”
Monitoring Sustainable Seafood
SPAIN - A Spanish tuna fishing company isusing Friend of the Sea observerson its vessels as an aspect of itsassessment.
