Environmental Responsibility

Similarly for all the other seafood species the company buys, artisan fishing methods result in low bycatch and the voluntary option by fishers to release undersized animals.  The company’s new training and information centre (see Social Responsibility), still in its planning stages, will provide hand’s on information on sustainable resource use.

The company’s Managing Director, Eric Allard, is one of two founding members of a local forum against destructive fishing.  Eric is actively engaged with fishers, community leaders, NGOs (such as WWF and Sea Sense) and local and central government leaders in trying to find solutions to stop destructive fishing in Tanzania and better manage fisheries.  As a member of the Tanzania Industrial Fishing and Processing Association (TIFPA), where Eric has chaired and been vice chairman for the past three years, the company has been pushing its agenda for a long term sustainable fishery.  The fact that Tanzania’s octopus is due to undergo a Pre-Assessment for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification is a direct result of the company’s push for sustainability.

Cleaner production is also of major concern to the company.   Over the years, the company has been active with the Tanga City Council toward finding a better solution to liquid waste management.  The company is shortly due to carry out an energy audit run by experts from which more efficient energy use is the expected outcome.  The company is also in talks toward achieving ISO 14000 environmental standards.