Swiss retailer Migros has reiterated its support for fishermen who catch their fish in the traditional way, using fishing rods instead of nets in order to protect the environment.
The measure is implemented in the retailer's seafood supply chain in the Maldives, as well as in Indonesia.
Protecting Marine Life
Moreover, using traditional methods, fishermen are able to avoid a by-catch, a side effect of industrial fishing.
"Sharks, rays, dolphins and turtles also get caught in nets", explained marine biologist Sandra Hinni, who is also a sustainability specialist for Migros Genossenschafts-Bund (MGB).
The union of 750 fishermen with whom Migros is building a partnership only use pole and line methods to catch fish. Furthermore, the farmers use big fish hooks to ensure that no young fish will bite.
"The yield is smaller, but tuna solely get caught so that other marine life is spared", Hinni added.
Job Creation
Th pole and line catching method also offers social benefits: it creates more jobs, because more people are required than for industrial fishing.
The fishermen have also received certification from marine conservation organisation MSC.
"Our purchase guarantee gives these suppliers future-proofing", said Adrian Lehmann, buyer at MGB.
As part of its Generation M program, Migros has set itself the goal of only offering fish from sustainable sources by 2020.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Jana Zimmermann. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
