Orthongel, the French organization representing frozen and deep-frozen tuna producers, has announced the release of a voluntary standard designed to promote sustainable and responsible fishing practices.

Developed in collaboration with the French standardization body AFNOR, the standard, titled "Referentiel de bonnes pratiques pour une peche durable et responsable des armateurs de thoniers senneurs tropicaux," establishes a framework for tropical tuna fishing based on three pillars: activity control, environmental protection, and social responsibility.

Xavier Leduc, president of Orthongel, described the standard as "a major step forward for our industry," emphasizing its role in reinforcing the organization's commitment to sustainable fishing and enhancing confidence in their products.

The standard's creation followed 18 months of collaborative work, supported by France Filiere Peche through the NORMATT project. A wide range of stakeholders participated in the development process, culminating in a public consultation phase to ensure broad support and alignment with industry and societal expectations, said Orthongel.

The standard outlines several key commitments, including the implementation of rigorous monitoring systems to track catches, ensure fisheries traceability, and comply with quotas set by regional fisheries management organizations.

Additionally, it includes environmental protection, including the use of non-entangling and biodegradable fish aggregating devices, guidelines for the release of sensitive species, and measures to optimize fuel consumption and reduce pollution.

The standard also focuses on social responsibility, guaranteeing fair and respectful working conditions for crew members, consistent with international labor standards.

This initiative builds on Orthongel's efforts to promote sustainability in tuna fishing, notably through the Marine Stewardship Council certification awarded in March 2024 for Atlantic Ocean catches of yellowfin and skipjack tuna.

The new standard provides a more detailed and harmonized guide to responsible practices aimed at strengthening trust among consumers and industry partners, it said.

Orthongel sees the new standard as a dynamic and evolving framework. According to the organization, it is intended to facilitate responsible sourcing for industry stakeholders, inspire similar initiatives internationally, and adapt to advancements in technology and field practices over time.

The standard is now publicly available through AFNOR, Orthongel said.