Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has confirmed that the fleet associated with ANABAC has obtained MSC certification for Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) caught in the Indian Ocean, within FAO area 51. This certification verifies that the fishery operates in accordance with MSC requirements for sustainable fishing, both under Free School sets and when associated with non-entangling Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).
The assessment was carried out following MSC’s established procedures, which include independent technical review, document analysis and consultation with stakeholders. This process confirmed not only compliance with the MSC standard, but also the robustness of the internal systems through which PEVASA manages its fishing activity. The fleet operates under consolidated procedures that ensure rigorous operational control, consistent implementation of management measures and forward-planning designed to minimize environmental impact.
The operational performance of our fleet has been instrumental in achieving this certification. Onboard practices —including strict adherence to management measures, the use of non-entangling and, whenever possible, biodegradable FADs, full observer coverage, the prohibition of finning and the responsible handling of sensitive species— reflect a stable and well-structured working model built on years of experience and continuous improvement. These practices, integrated into PEVASA’s internal control and traceability systems, ensure a predictable, transparent fishing activity aligned with international best practices.
Commitment and global scope of the certification
For PEVASA, this certification represents a significant step forward in the company’s more than six-decade commitment to responsible fishing. With the certification of Yellowfin in the Indian Ocean, alongside the Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) certified last year, PEVASA now operates certified fisheries for both species —Thunnus albacares and Katsuwonus pelamis— in the two oceans where the company is active: the Atlantic and the Indian.
This achievement strengthens the availability of products sourced from fisheries managed under internationally recognized sustainability criteria and reinforces the company’s position as an operator fully committed to responsible fishing at a global level, while also marking a further step in PEVASA’s sustainability strategy, which combines collaboration with scientific institutions, the continuous improvement of management systems and the implementation of operational practices designed to enhance traceability and reduce environmental impact.
MSC – ANABAC Indian Ocean Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishery
https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/anabac-indian-ocean-tropical-tuna-purse-seine-fishery/@@view