Greenpeace blacklists SOPAC vessels

Greenpeace blacklists SOPAC vessels -- Tuna caught still certified as "dolphin-safe" by Earth Island Institute

Greenpeace has just slapped several U.S. fishing vessels with a blacklisting after they were caught setting nets around marine mammals in violation of international marine protections. Five of the vessels in question are managed by South Pacific Tuna Corporation, which was set up as "a high-seas tuna joint venture project between 4 of the world's largest seafood companies, Bumble Bee (USA), Chicken of the Sea (USA), Thai Union (Thailand) and FCF Fisheries (Taiwan).

The blacklisting by Greenpeace come on the heels of fines by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for these violations. These stern rebukes stand in stark contrast to the silence of Earth Island Institute, the financially self-interested organization that has set itself up as responsible for maintaining (and profiting off of) the "dolphin-safe" consumer label.

The Campaign for Eco-Safe Tuna calls on Earth Island Institute to issue an immediate recall of the 8 million pounds of tuna caught during these fishing trips. According to Earth Island Institute's own so-called "standards" the tuna caught during these sets is not dolphin-safe and should not be labeled as such.

ENDS

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