Friend of the Sea certified omega-3 tally climbs to 76 companies

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

- Last updated on GMT

The US, Scandinavia, Central Europe and Australia were the markets with the highest amount of Friend of the Sea labelled products
The US, Scandinavia, Central Europe and Australia were the markets with the highest amount of Friend of the Sea labelled products
Friend of the Sea has now certified 76 companies from 23 different countries producing fish oil, fish meal, fish feed and omega-3 supplements.

In 2012, when it announced its push to certify the marine-sourced omega-3​, this number was quoted as 32 suppliers from 11 countries. 

Just this week Friend of the Sea (FOS) announced the Norwegian salmon oil producer Biomega could now sport the FOS eco-label.

image

Other companies approved recently included French omega-3 supplement firm Laboratoire Lescuyer using anchovies from the South East Pacific Ocean, Canadian firm Webber Naturals krill oils from Antarctic krill and Australian company Tasman Pacific Holding's Southernature Fish Oil range.

The US, Scandinavia, Central Europe and Australia were the markets with the highest amount of FOS labelled products.

Commenting on the figures, Paolo Bray, director and founder of the NGO certifier, said: “Fisheries for fish oil are among the major fisheries worldwide, even though only part of it is used for Omega-3 production."

image

FOS favours Antarctic krill, menhaden and the Peruvian anchovies’ fisheries and fleets as among the best managed fisheries, with available historical catch and biomass data, precautionary management and strict enforcement. It says small pelagic fisheries - neither close to the bottom nor the shore - have "no impact"​ on the seabed and very little by-catch.

It also favours products made from by-cuts or trimmings, which optimise marine resources.

The FOS sustainable check list includes:
 
-Target stock to be not overexploited
-Fishery to generate maximum 8% discards
-No by-catch of endangered species
-No impact on the seabed
-Compliance with regulations (TAC, IUU, FOC, minimum size, etc.)
-Social accountability
-Gradual reduction of carbon footprint

Other standards for the sector include that from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Related topics Markets & trends

Related news

Show more

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars