Transmarina C.A., an Ecuadorian company specializing in producing sashimi-grade frozen-at-sea fish for global markets, has positively concluded the Friend of the Sea audit for sourcing tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, opah and swordfish from sustainable waters.
The onsite Friend of the Sea audit run by an international certification body has provided confirmation of sustainability and proper chain of custody. Following the auditor’s recommendations, the company has drafted appropriate principles and criteria to further regulate its activity.
Transmarina’s purse seine and long line vessels operate in the Eastern Central Pacific Ocean (FAO area 87). The fleet’s sustainable fishing policy includes a set of measures to reduce by-catch, to release accidentally caught vulnerable species such as turtles and sharks, and avoid marine birds by-catch. Once on board, the catch is carefully classified, processed, frozen and stored at -60°C in order to guarantee top quality for customers.
“The Friend of the Sea audit has represented a very important and positive experience for us,” commented Giansandro Perotti, executive president of Transmarina C.A. “Certification provides an important recognition of our conservation efforts and lower impact fishing method.”
Founded in Manta, Ecuador in 1980, the company also has Dolphin Safe certification, and is HAACP- EU-, BRC- and IFS-approved. In recent years Transmarina has achieved one of the highest rates of growth in the ultra frozen fish business.
Friend of the Sea is an international certification program for products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Over 400 companies in more than 50 countries have relied on it to assess the sustainability of their seafood origins. Audits are based on best and most updated available scientific data.
