DANVERS, Mass. & PORTLAND, Ore.– High Liner Foods, Inc., the leading value-added seafood supplier in North America, and the Wild Salmon Center today announced the launch of a global Wild Salmon Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) with the goal of increasing volumes of third-party certified sustainable wild capture salmon to 75% of total Pan Pacific production. At this time, approximately 50% of Pacific salmon production is certified as sustainable or under assessment.
The primary targets of this partnership will be wild-capture salmon fisheries in Asia, particularly the Russian Far East and Hokkaido, Japan. These two regions collectively produce nearly 50% of the planet’s wild capture salmon. Over the last four years, with significant technical support from the Wild Salmon Center and partners, approximately 20% of Asian salmon fisheries have become Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, entered full MSC assessment or participated in a FIP. To achieve the 75% goal, the effort will need to triple the level of fishery engagement in the region.
The inaugural meeting of the Wild Salmon FIP took place on March 9 in advance of the 2013 International Boston Seafood Show and was hosted by High Liner Foods. The meeting was attended by 12 major salmon buyers and other stakeholders committed to the sustainability of wild salmon and other seafood. Other buyers interested in joining the FIP may contact Brian Caouette or Bill DiMento.
The Wild Salmon FIP will focus on supporting salmon fishery improvements with the goal of achieving MSC certification.. Key improvements include: strengthening compliance and enforcement, mitigating impacts of hatchery programs on wild fish, and reducing bycatch and other impacts on endangered species.
About High Liner Foods
High Liner Foods Incorporated is the leading North American processor and marketer of prepared, value-added frozen seafood. High Liner’s branded products are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico under the High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine and Royal Sea labels, and are available in most grocery and club stores. The Company also sells its products under the High Liner, FPI, Mirabel, Viking, Icelandic Seafood, Samband of Iceland, Seastar, and Seaside brands to restaurants and institutions, and is the major supplier of private label seafood products to North American food retailers and food service distributors. High Liner Foods is a publicly traded Canadian company, trading under the symbol HLF on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
High Liner is also a forerunner in the growing sustainable seafood movement and has committed to 100% sustainable seafood sourcing by 2013. www.highlinersustainability.com
About Wild Salmon Center
The mission of the Wild Salmon Center is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim. We identify science-based solutions to sustain wild salmonids and the human communities and livelihoods that depend on them. www.wildsalmoncenter.org
Source: High Liner Foods