Princes Food Group Aims to Change Their Fishy Ways

The Princes Food and Drink Group has stated that they will look at new ways and new ideas when it comes to catching tuna and other fish. The UK food giant stated that they would strive to change in order to improve their record with regards to sustainable fishing.

Princes has been put under increasing pressure by environmental groups like Greenpeace to change their policy of using fish aggregation devices and vast seine nets when it comes to fishing.

"Endangered sharks and other species are killed every year while catching tuna to be put in tins. And, despite the hugely misleading claims on their cans, Princes are the worst of the lot. It's time for Princes to follow other industry leaders and stop selling tuna caught using methods which cause the deaths of sharks and many other marine animals," said Greenpeace UK Oceans Campaign manager, David Ritter.

Princes currently trade with suppliers who operate with fish aggregation devices and purse seine nets, which results in large quantities of by-catch been needlessly caught and going to waste. The by-catch often includes endangered turtles, sharks and other vulnerable marine life. The practice is seen as extremely damaging to the marine environment.

Princes is a UK based company that is owned by Japanese investors. The company was ranked as one of the worst British companies in relation to how they catch their tuna.

However, there is a lot of debate as to what is the best method of fishing. The pole and stick method has been supported by a number of large environmental lobby groups and is perceived as the best method to employ, but many experts also believe that this method is unsustainable.

A statement issued by Princes read, "Princes recognises concerns over fish aggregation devices and supports the need to minimize by-catch associated with their use. We also support measures to reduce operational waste, discards and abandoned or lost fishing gear. Although, Princes does source some tuna caught using pole and line, this method also results in some level of by catch of non target species. There is also the consideration that this method requires the use of bait fish."

The Princes Food and Drink group is expected to undergo a review of how they operate in sourcing their tuna, but the issue of sustainability is expected to continue since the best method of fishing in an eco friendly and sustainable manner is widely debated.

Photo Credit: Robert K. Brigham