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Tuna firms use dolphin-friendly nets to continue global exports
Fifteen Vietnamese tuna processing and fishing businesses have been verified as being Dolphin Safe to export tuna to the EU, US and Australia, according to the latest report of the Earth Island Institute.
The institute is reported to have required Vietnamese tuna exporters not to use drift gillnets to catch tuna, based on a report from the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission on tuna exploitation in Viet Nam's central coastal provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa.
The institute warned Vietnamese tuna exporters that they might not be granted the Dolphin Safe Tuna label because drift gillnets affected the dolphins' living environment and the marine ecosystem.
The institute required the businesses to satisfy their concerns, the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) said.
These 15 Vietnamese tuna exporters confirmed they did not use materials exploited from drift gillnets because tuna caught with them did not meet the criteria for exports.
The exporters' association said if its members were crossed off the list of Dolphin Safe certification, they would be unable to sell tuna in major markets in the world.
Vietnamese tuna processing and fishing businesses said the institute also recommended that Vietnamese tuna exporters label all gillnet free tuna products with State certifications.
The businesses include Kylan Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, United Seafood Packers Joint Stock Company, Binh Dinh Fishery Joint Stock Company, Pataya Food Vietnam Co, Hai Vuong Co and Highland Dragon Enterprises.
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