Great news to hear that Princes have realised that their barbaric methods of catching tuna are also devastating the marine life in our oceans. The company has agreed to phase out the use of FADs (Fishing Aggregation Devices) by 2014 and move towards using 'pole and line' methods. FADs attract a wide variety of marine life such as turtles, sharks and rays which then get scooped up in huge purse seine nets along with the tuna. Much of the 'bycatch' is returned to the ocean - dead. A move to 'pole and line' methods of catching tuna minimises bycatch and saves the lives of other marine species.
Prince's change in policy is as a result of Greenpeace's co-ordinated campaign which culminated in over 80,000 emails, hundreds of telephone calls and a morning of direct action at Prince's headquarters in Liverpool. A fantastic 'well done' to those who contributed in any way to get Princes to change their fishing policy - it just goes to show that (once again) your actions can make a huge difference.
Princes has also agreed to support the Pacific Common Marine Reserve and will not take fish stocks from this area. Our success continues as the campaign has prompted ASDA to match Prince's fishing policy and therefore by 2014 its canned tuna should also be caught without the use of FADs.
Alas, our work is never finishes! The campaign turns attention towards John West who now languish at the bottom of Greenpeace's league table of tuna providers. Supporters are strongly encouraged to email John West to register their concern about the way they catch their tuna and decimate our oceans of marine life. If they see sense, they will do the right thing and follow Tesco, Princes and ASDA!
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