MEXICO CITY, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the member companies of the Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna, an alliance of leading tuna fishing companies, representing 93% of total tuna production in Mexico, demonstrated their continued leadership in sustainability by committing to withdraw from fishing Pacific bluefin tuna for the next five years, including the 2015 season.
The members of the Alliance – Grupomar, Herdez Del Fuerte, Pesca Azteca, and Procesa – made this voluntary decision after working with Mexico's National Commission for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CONAPESCA) and National Fisheries Institute (INAPESCA) as well as scientific experts at the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) to develop a strategy for the recovery of bluefin, which faces severe pressure from overfishing, and to continue to advance Mexico's position as a leader in sustainable fisheries.
"By withdrawing from the highly lucrative bluefin market for five years to allow the stocks to recover, our members are putting their money where their mouths are," said Mariana Ramos Sanchez, Director of the Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna. "It is the right thing to do for the environment, and we hope other companies will follow suit."
The members of the Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna are committed to science-based fisheries management and to making the right business decisions for the environment. This decision is one of many investments that the members of the Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna will make to promote its vision for healthy oceans.
"Our member companies will continue to lead on sustainable fishing – ensuring that consumers can feel good every time they eat Mexican tuna," added Ms. Ramos.
The continued collaboration between government and industry is a model for tackling the complex challenges of managing global seafood resources, contributing to the health of the entire marine ecosystem.
About the Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna
The Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna is a group of leading Mexican fishing companies that joined together to ensure the sustainability in its Northeastern Tropical Pacific Purse Seine Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna Fishery. The Alliance members – Grupomar, Herdez Del Fuerte, Pesca Azteca, and Procesa – provide high-quality sustainable tuna to the Mexican and international markets. The Alliance spearheads a joint vision for healthy oceans—for today and future generations. For more information about the Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna, please visit PacificTunaAlliance.org.
Contact:
Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna
info@PacificTunaAlliance.org
202-674-7901
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-mexican-fishing-companies-withdraw-from-fishing-bluefin-tuna-signaling-commitment-to-sustainability-300099634.html
SOURCE Pacific Alliance for Sustainable Tuna
Copyright (C) 2015 PR Newswire. All rights reserved