Kiwis should send Sealord a strong message about its source of tuna...

Kiwis should send Sealord a strong message about its source of tuna..

Sealord needs to do more than change its logo. Sealord needs to change its tuna.

http://greenpeace.org/

Sealord wants to be the ‘most trusted seafood company’. But, how can we trust Sealord’s sustainability messages when your company uses one of the worst fishing methods around, killing endangered sharks, turtles, juvenile tuna and other ocean life in addition to the tuna for Sealord cans.



As New Zealand’s largest brand of canned tuna, Sealord, the self-proclaimed ‘seafood experts’ should be leading the way on sustainability. So it shocks me to learn that your company is sourcing tuna caught by a method which you know catches far more than just tuna – up to 10 times more bycatch than more sustainable practices. That’s exploitation, not expertise!



I see that your website states that Sealord will avoid sourcing tuna from “fisheries that use indiscriminate fishing practices that result in significant quantities of catch being discarded or landed as juveniles or unmarketable species”.



So, live up to this promise and stop using fish aggregation devices (FADs) with purse seine nets. This would dramatically reduce the amount of bycatch. http://adl.brs.gov.au/brsShop/data/PC12777.pdf



If you are serious about the sustainability of Pacific tuna you would take this simple step as has occurred in the UK where all but one of the major brands have committed to source only pole and line or FAD-free purse seined tuna.



I am encouraged that Sealord is supporting plans to create marine reserves in the high seas.



Please let me know when Sealord will end the use of FAD-caught purse seined tuna to help save Pacific tuna and other ocean life - and become a leader for sustainability amongst New Zealand canned tuna brands.



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Sealord is New Zealand’s largest supplier of canned tuna but it’s also one of the worst.



That's because Sealord gets its Pacific tuna from companies using one of the worst fishing methods killing endangered sharks, turtles, juvenile tuna and other ocean life as well. These creatures are known as bycatch and are often thrown back into the ocean dead or dying. That’s exploitation, not expertise.



Sealord needs to clean up its act if it wants to live up to the ‘seafood experts’ image it advertises, and achieve its goal of becoming the ‘most trusted seafood company’. Sealord must stop sourcing tuna caught using fish aggregation devices (FADs). FADs are used to lure tuna but, also attract other ocean life which is then scooped up in huge purse seine nets. FADs increase the bycatch of purse seine fisheries up to 10 times more than other more sustainable methods.



If Sealord is serious about sustainability it would stop sourcing tuna caught using this indiscriminate method.



All but one of the UK’s major canned tuna brands have announced they’re phasing out purse seine tuna caught with FADs.



Sealord and other brands of canned tuna sold in New Zealand can do it too.



Last week Sealord announced it was updating its branding. Sealord needs to change more than just its logo. Tell Sealord to change its tuna and move to more sustainable fishing methods.

A message to Sealord
 
 

http://ecospree.com/


The Blogfrog

Read about Didymosphenia Geminata or "Didymo" for short - a freshwater exotic algae contaminating South Island, New Zealand, rivers...

Didymosphenia Germinata, or "Didymo" for short - also known as rocksnot - a freshwater exotic algae contaminating South Island, New Zealand, rivers...

Didymo is a member of a group of single celled aquatic plants(freshwater algae)known as diatoms. Didymo is an exotic( non-native)organism to New Zealand, and has legally been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Didymo was first detected in the lower Waiau and Mararoa Rivers in Southland in October 2004.Since then Didymo has been found in the Tasman District, the Otago region and additional rivers in Southland.In December 2006 Didymo was detected for the first time in Fiordland National Park.

It is likely that Didymo will have an impact on the numberof recreational and commercial activities in New Zealand, and as well as cultural values and biodiversity. As the man said, it is a bit of a worry!


Read more about Didymo: Google or search on other search engines.

Why is Didymo a pest plant? How do I identify it?

Didymo - also known as 'rock snot' - is a freshwater diatom (a type of algae.) It can form massive blooms on the bottom of streams, rivers and lakes, and its spread is highly undesirable.

This microscopic pest can be spread by a single drop of water. Even if you can't see it, you could be spreading it.

The alga is a native of northern Europe and North America, and was first reported in New Zealand in 2004. Biosecurity New Zealand has since declared the entire South Island an Outbreak Control Area for didymo. This means rivers and lakes remain open to angling, boating and other recreational activities, but all gear should be cleaned before going from one waterway to another.

In Otago, didymo is found in Lake Dunstan, and the Clutha, Hawea, Von, Fraser, Makarora, Wilkin, Motatapu and Matukituki rivers, and possibly their tributaries.



How do I identify Didymo?

The alga attaches itself to the streambed by stalks and can form a thick brown layer that smothers rocks, submerged plants and other materials. It forms flowing 'rats tails' that can turn white at their ends and look similar to tissue paper.







Pictures of Didymo, mats and tails above.


In Otago, Didymo has been found in Lake Dunstan, the Clutha, Hawea and Von rivers, and possibly their tributaries. It has also been identified in a number of other rivers in the South Island.

Suggested ways to avoid spreading didymo:

All river users are urged to take care not to spread the alga from one waterway to another.

Before you leave any river or lake:

Check - remove all visible threads or clumps of weed and algae from gear and clothing.

Clean - soak or scrub all items of equipment for at least one minute with either:

hot (60 degrees C) water, or
2% solution of household bleach, or
5% solution of salt or nappy cleaner, or
5% solution of dishwashing detergent, or
5% solution of antiseptic hand cleaner.
Dry - after cleaning equipment, or if cleaning is not practical (e.g. animals), dry until touch dry then leave for a further 48 hours before entering another waterway.

A number of cleaning stations have been set up in the Upper Clutha area for the summer, to help stop the spread of didymo. The unmanned stations will be identified with signage. People can pull in there to wash and disinfect boats and fishing gear that may have come into contact with infected waters.

If you come across any suspicious looking algae in Otago rivers, please contact:

Otago Regional Council on 0800 800 033, or
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on 0800 809 966.
Remember to check, clean and dry all equipment, before you leave any lake, stream or river.

It has not yet contaminated North Island rivers.
Read more about Didymo on Google and other search engines.