Certification has come after a review of Morocco’s fisheries compliance with Friend of the Sea standards. The stocks targeted by the Morocco fleet are considered by the Regional Fishery Bodies to be not overexploited. The fishing method - purse seining for small pelagics - reportedly generates on average only 1,2 to 2% of discards (FAO 2005) and does not impact the seabed.

“Fisheries certification schemes have a responsibility, as indicated in the FAO Guidelines, to provide added value to artisanal sustainable fisheries,” affirms Dr Paolo Bray, director of Friend of the Sea.

“Artisanal fisheries in Senegal, Azores, Kroatia, Morocco and elsewhere have found Friend of the Sea to be an affordable scheme, truly focused on marine conservation. Their processed products – anchovies, mackerel, sardines, tuna and others - are now promoted to consumers worldwide by means of the Friend of the Sea logo.”

Founded in 1946, Nouvelle Aveiro Maroc company is specialised in the production and marketing of tinned seafood thoroughly selected and caught in the Moroccan coasts. Based in Agadir, each year, the company processes about 40,000 tons of raw material. Sardines, mackerel and tuna are marketed as international brands - Delmonaco, Liberator, Limao, Samaki and other customers or distributors brands. The firm has a turnover of more than 90% realised by exports to Europe, U.S.A, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

“Aveiro’s policy has always been focused on quality: respect for the environment is a fundamental part of it," states Mr Mohamed Bicha, owner of Aveiro.

“Friend of the Sea certification provides a third party reliable confirmation of our respect for the environment. It is appreciated by our business partners and immediately understood by our consumers."

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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