The IFFO RS IP is an organized program to encourage marine ingredient producing factories, which at present would be unable to meet the IFFO RS Standard, either because of a lack of fisheries management, or factory infrastructure and operational issues, to implement improvements that would allow them to eventually comply with the IFFO Global Standard for Responsible Supply (IFFO RS) Standard.
“This is a major milestone towards sustainable seafood production in Ecuador,” said Dan Lee from the GAA. “Markets are demanding responsibly farmed shrimp and this includes responsibly sourced marine ingredients in aquafeeds.
“GAA’s Best Aquaculture Practices program helps to provide linkages along the supply chains to incentivize positive change and it’s impressive to see how Ecuador has stepped up to meet the challenge.”
The Ecuador FIP comprises 18 Ecuadorian fishing and processing firms and three international feed producers, representing an estimated 80% of the country's small pelagic fishing companies.
“Moving the FIP through the IFFO RS Improver Programme is an important step in becoming fully IFFO RS certified,” explained Michiel Fransen from the ASC. “Not only will this allowance into the IP open up possibilities with demanding supply chains, but more importantly, it will move the fishery gradually towards better management which will eventually benefit the longevity of the industry. We’re looking forward to seeing the FIP becoming fully certified in due time.”
Blake Lee-Harwood from the SFP added: “The credibility of the Ecuador small pelagics FIP builds upon the commitment of a variety of stakeholders to improve the fishery. On the one hand the national industry (industrial producers and fishmeal processors), represented by the Camara Nacional de Pesquería, and their supply chain (the fish feed producers Vitapro, Alimentsa and Skretting), whose contributions made possible the development of the design phase of the project.
“On the other hand, the commitment of the government, who is providing support as part of the GEF funded Global Marine Commodities project, a global programme implemented by the governments of Ecuador, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Indonesia with the technical support of the United Nations Development Programme and the SFP.”