Ecuador small pelagics - purse seine (CNP)

The Ecuadorian small pelagic fishery is economically and socially important for the country. One of the end uses for some species caught in the fishery is the production of fishmeal and fish oil. In order to eventually be approved as a source of Marine Trust raw material, the fishmeal industry has worked in association with the National Chamber of Fisheries of Ecuador, the Global Sustainable Supply Chains for Marine Commodities Project, the United Nations Development Programme, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, and the Global Environment Facility to obtain recognition under the Marine Trust Improver Programme. 

During the period 2012-2016, on average, 80% of the catches were composed of the species: macarela (Pacific chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus); pinchagua (thread herrings, Opisthonema spp); Sardine redonda (red-eye round herring, Etrumeus acuminatus); chuhueco (Pacific anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus); botellita (frigate tuna, Auxis spp); and picudillo (Shortfin scad, Decapterus macrosoma). The small pelagic fishery is carried out using purse seine gears, and catches are used for frozen fish, canned fish, and fishmeal, in accordance with Ecuadorian law. The FIP aims to achieve sustainability of small pelagics stocks in Ecuador. The IFFO RS Standard (now known as MarinTrust) was chosen as the initial benchmark for the assessment of a work plan. Since FisheryProgress requires reporting against the MSC standard,  an analysis of MarinTrust versus MSC was carried out to translate the MarinTrust standard to MSC PIs.

The FIP has operated under the MarinTrust Program since October 2018. The MarinTrust Standard guarantees the following:

• Eradication of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing material used as raw material approved by MarinTrust.
• Raw materials used in the production of marine ingredients from responsibly managed fisheries.
• Promotion of efficient production practices for marine ingredients to reduce the environmental impact of the fishmeal and fish oil manufacturing process.
• Safe manufacture of marine ingredients through Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Existence of effective traceability systems to ensure that MarinTrust compliant marine ingredients can be traced back to the approved MarinTrust raw material fishery.
• Protection of social rights and welfare of employees in factories producing marine ingredients.
• For more information about MarinTrust Standard visit: https://www.marin-trust.com/.

As part of the scope of the FIP, 32 vessels are part of the project and represent around 30% of registered and active fishing efforts. The fishmeal producer members of the project represent around 80% of fishmeal exports, while feed producer members represent around 90% of the local market.