The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF)

In 2009, we were among the founders of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), a global, non-profit organization whose members include scientists, marine biologists and various NGOs, including WWF International.

ISSF is today a global point of reference for science-based sustainability for the whole tuna industry and a unique example of cooperation between science, industry and NGOs towards a shared sustainability objective: improving the sustainability of global tuna stocks to meet MSC certification criteria.

ISSF promotes science-based initiatives for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna stocks , reducing bycatch and promoting the health of the marine ecosystem.

Since its inception, ISSF has adopted conservation measures and is committed to facilitating this mission. It intends that processors, traders, importers, transporters, and others involved in the seafood industry will follow these measures to promote real and continuous improvement across global tuna stocks.

As an ISSF participating company, we commit to adhere to its conservation measures and undergoing annual audits conducted by third-party bodies.

Among these conservation measures, the most important ones include:

  • A commitment not to make purchases from vessels registered by the EU or RFMO (Regional Fishery Management Organization) in the IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing) list.
  • The obligation, when fishing from large Purse Seiners, to only make purchases from vessels registered in the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR), a register instituted by the ISSF to identify and trace, both transparently and publicly, vessels adopting the practices identified by the ISSF for sustainable tuna fishing, in full compliance with ISSF resolutions.
  • The limitation of fishing capacity permitting ISSF members to only make their tuna purchases from large Purse Seiners that are already operative, or which were in the process of being built on 31/12/2012.
  • A commitment to only purchase from vessels with an IMO (International Maritime Organization), UVI (Unique Vessel Identifier), or TUVI (Tuna Unique Vessel Identifier) identification number.

ISSF’s strategy is based on three pillars:

  1. SCIENCE: To advance the sustainability of tuna stocks and their ecosystems through continuous improvement – measurably demonstrated – across global fisheries.
  2. INFLUENCE: To exercise influence, thanks to advocacy activities, among all the players in the tuna world to promote and expedite actions necessary to advance the sustainability of tuna stocks and their ecosystems.
  3. VERIFICATION: To maintain and enhance credibility through transparency and compliance.

The marine stewardship

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global, voluntary, and independent body that supports sustainable fishing practices and defines the standards for the responsible procurement of fish resources.

We have been working together with WWF since 2017 to safeguard the health of the oceans and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on them.