Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd. (MIFCO) has achieved
Friend of the Sea certification for its hand line fleet. Yellowfin tuna
(Thunnus albacares) from the certified vessels operating in Western
Indian Ocean (FAO area 51) is now authorized to carry the Friend of
the Sea eco-label. MIFCO has successfully completed the assessment
against FOS standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries.
Targeted tuna stock of yellowfin is considered to be not overexploited
according to the latest assessments. No protected areas, such as
corals and seamounts, are affected by the fishing activity. The fleet
operates within 100km to 250 km away from the shore. The company
is also approved Dolphin-Safe by the Earth Island Institute.
MIFCO has a traceability system in place and it can demonstrate which
products originate from the Friend of the Sea approved fleet. The
inspected vessels are registered under Ministry of Fisheries and
Agriculture (MOFA). The company checks the vessel registration copy
and fishery license before purchasing the fish.
“Friend of the Sea audit requirements are very strict so we are proud
to have obtained the certification”, explains Mr. Adley Ismail, CEO of
MIFCO. “We will continue to rely on Friend of the Sea to increase the
number of certified vessels.”