IPNLF, SEA DELIGHT LLC AND PRIME SEAFOOD LAUNCH FIP IN BRAZIL

IPNLF, Sea Delight LLC and Prime Seafood launch FIP in Brazil. The International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), in collaboration with Sea Delight LLC and Prime Seafood, are excited to announce the launch of the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) for a handline tuna fishery targeting yellowfin tuna in Brazil, driving greater sustainability in the sector. The FIP currently covers 87 vessels that supply Prime Seafood and are landing their catches in the ports of Ceara and Rio Grande do Norte State in north eastern Brazil.

The main objective of the FIP is to improve the sustainability of the fishery to a level of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification by 2026, for which key actions will be implemented, such as:

• The implementation of a Crew Observer Programme, to support fishery data on bycatch and endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species, even though barely encountered by the selective handline fishing gear used.

• Advocacy for the development of Harvest Control Rules (HCR) and tools for yellowfin tuna by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

• Review of recent progress in compliance and enforcement through a dialogue with the Brazil Secretariat of Aquaculture and Fisheries (SAP).

• Stakeholder meetings in Brazil to inform, seek feedback, and fine-tune the FIP Workplan, thereby encouraging participation in the implementation of identified tasks.

Sea Delight President Cesar Bencosme comments that:

“We are very proud to be part of this FIP and to be introducing Brazilian one-by-one handline tuna to the US market. We hope that the responsible practices and sustainable management measures being taken will help guarantee  the long-term sustainability of the fishery so that we can continue supplying these healthy and delicious proteins for generations to come.”

As part of the FIP partnership arrangement, Prime Seafood recently joined IPNLF as a member, thereby signing up to the IPNLF Code of Conduct and supporting the IPNLF 2025 Commitment, in which all IPNLF Members commit to drive transparency, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability in their one-by-one tuna supply chains while actively implementing improvements in at least 75% of their one-by-one tuna supply chains by 2025. Sea Delight has been an IPNLF member since 2019.

Prime President, Eduardo Naslavsky, stated:

“By joining with IPNLF and Sea Delight in this FIP we continue the Prime Seafood policy of respect and cooperation with Brazil’s environmental legislation on the sustainable development of this fishery and the FIP’s step-wise goals of respect for the ecosystem and the fishing communities.”

Brazil has a long tradition of one-by-one tuna fishing due to the country’s strategic proximity to the migratory routes of the main stocks of tuna. The great length of its coast –  approximately 8,500 km – contributes to a thriving tuna fishing industry. Handline yellowfin catches from the coastal areas Ceara and Rio Grande do Norte State (up to 100 nm) average approximately 12,500 tonnes/year, with its main export market intended for the United States.

This FIP and its partners will contribute to driving greater transparency in tuna supply chains, ensure traceability, and improve the  position of this artisanal fishery in the market, thereby supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 14.b, while also contributing to good fisheries governance. This project will further contribute to more sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems, thereby also helping to safeguard the livelihoods of fishers and their communities.

The activities of the FIP will be regularly updated on FisheryProgress.org and performance measured against the actions identified in the agreed work plan. Full details of the FIP can be found at the Brazil yellowfin tuna – handline FIP profile.