IPNLF WELCOMES THREE NEW MEMBERS

IPNLF welcomes three new members. The International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) is excited to announce that they are welcoming three new members to their network! IPNLF is an international charity, established in the United Kingdom in 2012 (Charity no. 1145586), which empowers one-by-one tuna fisheries which give back to the seas and the people that depend on them around the world to create a fairer, more sustainable and equitable world for all.

As an organisation, IPNLF distinguish themselves by connecting coastal one-by-one tuna fisheries to markets. This ensures direct market participation and our membership offers them the opportunity to engage in improvement projects within their tuna supply chains.

IPNLF believe that environmental sustainability in tuna fisheries can only be fully achieved by putting an end to overfishing and destructive fishing practices that are driving the degradation of already threatened marine species, habitats and ecosystems. In response, they work across science, policy and the seafood sector, to ensure that tuna fisheries operate in a manner that preserves ocean resources for future generations.

Often the fisheries they work with are located in small island developing states (SIDs) or coastal states where the threat of climate change is real and where the livelihoods of coastal communities are often intrinsically linked to the ocean. Through all their conversations with these fishing communities – women traders, small processors, boat owners and the fishermen that earn their daily living out at sea – there’s alignment of their message about the need to protect their livelihoods. They feel threatened by large industrial fisheries with which they compete for scarce resources, left behind by decision-makers and are not always provided  with equal opportunities to compete fairly in the marketplace.

When we talk about sustainable fisheries it is this livelihood aspect that is often neglected and ignored. The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are focused on poverty alleviation, sustainable resource use and improved livelihoods for all. It provides a clear pathway and targets for governments and the business community on how we can ensure sustainable development that ‘leaves no one behind’. It is this aspect of IPNLF’s work that is most important – the main beneficiaries of their work are the small-scale tuna fishermen catching tuna one at a time.

IPNLF members are based around the world, and include fisheries, processors, distributors, brands, food services and retailers. With this network of industry leaders and one-by-one fisheries, IPNLF work to drive change, encourage improvements – both at sea and throughout the supply chains- and provide a lasting contribution to the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

IPNLF’s growing membership base is a testament to the increased demand by consumers for responsibly sourced seafood, as well as IPNLF’s role in connecting responsible supply chain actors throughout the one-by-one tuna community.

Cyprea Marine Foods

Founded in 2005, Cyprea Marine Foods Pvt. Ltd (CMF) is a leading Maldives-based tuna processor with a processing factory based at Himmafushi Island that specialises in processing fresh tuna in chilled & frozen form to be exported all over the world. To source their tuna the company operates a fleet of 18 one-by-one fishing vessels, 6 of which are owned by Cyprea themselves and all of which are registered under the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.

As a company, they pride themselves on the quality of tuna that they produce, the quality of their workforce and the work environment they have created. They ensure ethical, safe working conditions and, as a result, are able to produce high quality, traceable tuna to countries around the world. The processing factory of Cyprea Marine Foods and the one-by-one tuna they source is an excellent example of a food system that celebrates equity and sustainability. As an organisation based in a coastal state they recognise the vulnerability of similar coastal communities to environmental change as well as the vulnerability of global food systems. If we are to continue to produce food in the coming decades, it’s important to produce food systems with greater transparency that are sustainable, resilient and fair.

Cyprea Marine Foods are driven by their environmental and social values, from the design of the factory to the tuna they source and as a result have previously been referred to as the ‘best factory in South-East Asia. As an organisation, they recognise the threat that industrial fishing is to, both, the future of fishing and global ecosystems as a whole. They have a certain focus, too, on pollution and look forward to engaging with IPNLF’s plastic reduction improvements and neutrality projects.

“I am excited about this collaboration. CMF has been exporting premium standard frozen skipjack tuna processed by giving a lot of attention to details to the UK market and wish to tell our story on your Sourcing Transparency Platform (STP). We will extend you all the support wholeheartedly.”
— Yasir Waheed, CEO Cyprea Marine Seafood.

Prime Seafood

Prime Seafood is a seafood trader who aims to produce sustainable, yet profitable, seafood that is recognised around the world as being high quality. Prime sources from local artisanal fishing communities and cooperates closely with the Brazil Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries in sustainable fishery management. They work closely with their customer base to develop the best products possible for their customers in Brazil, and the rest of the world. They are driven by providing safe, genuine and satisfactory products to their customers but also recognise the need for sustainability and therefore commit to everything possible to keep their activity sustainable by properly controlling available resources and preserving the environment.

As an organisation Prime Seafood are fully aware that the foundation of their business rests on a healthy, functioning ocean and its living organisms and so tailor their operations to work with, rather than against, the oceans ecosystem mechanisms. They respect Brazilian environmental legislation and support initiatives and activities aimed at sustainable development and respect for the ecosystem. As part of their commitment to building a better society, they operate with a “recycling” mentality and work to reduce waste generated by the company.

Wild Caught Products

Since their founding in 2012, Wild Caught Products (WC Products) have quickly become one of the leading fish traders in South Africa. Wild Caught Product’s main products are frozen  yellowfin and albacore tuna, as well as yellow tail and hake, processed in various forms for the local market and international markets alike.

They pride themselves on supplying tuna caught sustainably by small, artisanal fishing vessels and making their supply chain 100% traceable and transparent for the customers worldwide. To put into action their understanding of the social and environmental impacts of the global fishing industry and the changes that need to be made in the coming years, WC Products have developed their own Code of Conduct For Responsible Fish Purchasing to ensure that all of their suppliers are aligned with their environmental and social values to preserve the ocean ecosystem and support local communities.