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Responsible Tilapia Production
(BRAZIL, 6/27/2016)
Tilapia producer Netuno began operating as a fishmonger in Recife, Brazil in 1989. Twenty-seven years later, Netuno has evolved into a 100 % Brazilian company specializing in seafood production and trade. Its tilapia production is completely integrated with optimal practices throughout the entire process, from hatchery to processing.
Early this month, Netuno attained Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for its tilapia farming operation. Netuno has become the first farm in Brazil to gain ASC certification
Netuno believes that ASC certification and the opportunities it brings will provide new possibilities for the underserved communities in northeast Brazil that have previously lacked access to other forms of agriculture due to conditions in the area.
Netuno's achievement in attaining the ASC certification is proof of its commitment to responsibly produce tilapia while measuring up to strict food safety and environmental standards. Netuno works in partnership with Tropical Aquaculture.
Both Netuno and Tropical are committed to supplying seafood that is of superior quality and exceeds Brazilian food safety requirements in order to comply with international standards. By complying with the ASC standard at the farm and implementing the BAP standard at the plant, Netuno ensures responsible and sustainable management of the tilapia farm and processing facility.
After an independent, third-party assessment conducted by Control Union Peru, Netuno was awarded ASC certification against the Tilapia standard.
The ASC label verifies that tilapia production occurs responsibly and in a way that benefits producers and consumers. ASC certified farms limit their impact on the environment from the effects of water pollution, escapes of farmed fish, the use of chemicals, antibiotics and nitrogen footprint. They also adhere to strict guidelines that promote the social conditions of workers and their surrounding communities.
Netuno does not use any chemicals or antibiotics in any of its supply chain, which helps to maintain positive relationships with residents and those we share the lake with.
Netuno utilizes a cage system of 46 tilapia cages spread between two farm locations, Jatobá and Petrolândia, situated in the Paulo Alfonso dam in the São Francisco River. The dam has a water renovation rate of 1,200 cubic meters per second, which is ideal for maintaining a clean water body and is a key component in the healthy cultivation of fish in the absence of antibiotics.
At the farms, specific measures are taken to ensure that tilapia are carefully nourished. The fish are fed a formulated feed with excellent nutritional value necessary to raise a strong and healthy fish.
Upon harvest, the fish is transported live to the processing plant where it takes less than 6 hours for the product to be ready to ship. The cold chain is maintained from the moment the fish leaves Netuno's processing facility, to the moment it arrives in the city of Sao Paulo, where it is then flown in refrigerated cargo to its destination in the United States.
All products are free of any and all chemicals, preservatives and gasses that may alter, extend or prolong natural color or shelf life.
In addition to the ASC label for its tilapia farms, Netuno is enrolled in the Global Aquaculture Alliance-iBAP program for its processing plant in Paulo Afonso, Bahia, Brazil.
Netuno's recent ASC certification means that they can play a key role in providing responsibly sourced fish in some of the estimated 14 million meals to be served during the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic games, an operation that has been described as the largest peacetime catering enterprise in the world.
According to Andre Brugger, Sustainability, Traceability and Certification Program Coordinator at Netuno, what sets Netuno apart is the "passion in all we do" and their ability to deliver "excellent quality to a global network for over 20 years while being committed to social and environmental responsible practices".
For Netuno, partnering with Tropical is important as "Netuno sees tremendous value in the sales capability, experience and knowledge Tropical has in this unique market." Partnering with Tropical in the fresh business "gives us the ability to focus 100% of our energy on producing a top quality tilapia in the most responsible and efficient way", said Andre.
About Netuno
Netuno produces and sell high quality seafood products. Situated just outside the city of Paulo Afanso in Bahia, Brazil, Netuno is a leader in the production and export of seafood around the world.
(BRAZIL, 6/27/2016)
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