June 8 is World Oceans Day, the United Nations day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources.
This day provides an opportunity to raise global awareness of the benefits humankind derives from the ocean and our individual and collective duty to use its resources sustainably. Future generations will also depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.
As one of the leading companies fishing tuna in the Indian Ocean, Echebastar is fully aware of our obligations and we are dedicated to sustainable fishing. Over the past decade we have been at the vanguard of efforts to strengthen our sustainability and the success we achieved was marked by our fishery gaining certification according to the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) standard. MSC is widely recognised as the most rigorous global standard for sustainable and well-managed fisheries.
For us, MSC certification is important, but our Strategy and Operational Plan go beyond MSC requirements. Through the Sustainable Indian Ocean Tuna Initiative (SIOTI) (https://fisheryprogress.org/fip-profile/indian-ocean-tuna-purse-seine-sioti) we work closely with other fishing companies and tuna processors to implement initiatives covering a wide range of topics in support of a healthy future for the Indian Ocean tuna fishery, not only for our own benefit but to support the many countries in the region that have a strong dependence on a vigorous ecosystem with well managed fisheries supporting the livelihoods of future generations.
The MSC has recognized our commitment and provides support to us in improving management of dFADs https://www.msc.org/what-we-are-doing/our-collective-impact/ocean-stewardship-fund/impact-projects/sustainability-tuna-FADs
On this special day for Oceans lets all commit to supporting the MSC https://www.msc.org/world-oceans-day.