One of the images released by Greenpeace. (Photo Credit: Greenpeace)
John West denies Greenpeace’s accusations
UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 04:10 (GMT + 9)
The canning firm John West group denies the fishing boat recently broadcast in a video by Greenpeace to show the firm’s alleged unsustainable practices belongs to them or their parent company, MW Brands.
The images released by the NGO are intended to reveal the group targets non-target species, which the firm deems as “completely untrue and in opposition to their values.”
“At John West, we do not condone practices that jeopardise non-target species. We have undertaken extensive research to develop sustainable fishing practices including improving Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) alongside ensuring healthy fish stocks and marine ecosystems,” the firm’s sources stated.
In reference to the conservation of threatened species and to strictly control the way they fish, the group have implemented several strategies, such as:
- Training their crews in handling rays, turtles and sharks, so they can be returned to their natural habitat unharmed;
- Presence of independent observers on all the group’s boats as well as on the majority of their suppliers’ vessels;
- Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS) tracking the group’s boats’ locations to ensure they stay within the correct areas and ensure all fish are caught sustainably.
- Implementation of eco-FADs;
- Investment in buoys equipped with sonar to accurately understand the exact composition of schools of fish present under the FAD, minimising the catch of juvenile fish and by-catch.
The firm also remarked that some of their suppliers are on track to achieve the international label for sustainable fisheries Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Meanwhile, Greenpeace pointed out that the group must reconfirm their existing commitments to go 100 per cent pole and line & FAD-free by their existing deadlines -- by end of 2016.
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
|