Nine pomade shrimp exporting companies finance a project to achieve eco-labelling

The National Chamber of Fisheries (CNP) presented the Pomada Shrimp Fishery Improvement Project

The pomada shrimp fishery began a strengthening process through the Improvement Project, which seeks to achieve its sustainability and access eco-labeling in the future, a growing initiative in international markets.

According to information fromWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF Ecuador),Titi or pomada shrimp are wild shrimp, native to Ecuador, that are collected by industrial trawlers and artisanal fishermen in the Gulf of Guayaquil, using a very particular trap that does not exist anywhere else in the world.

The project started on May 19 with the signing of a technical assistance agreement betweenthe National Fishery Chamber (CNP),Guild that represents this subsector since this year, and the Sustainable Foundation Fisheries Partnership (SFP), a recognized non -governmental organization, which operates in the world for the conservation of fish populations.

Rafael Trujillo, executive director of the CNP,He indicated that through this agreement the nine exporting companies of Pomada Pressed to the Chamber will finance the public-private initiative in which there are also theSubsecretariat of Fisheries Resourcesof the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries and thePublic Institute for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research (IPIAP).

Exporting companies are: Natluk, FrigoSeca, Omara, Frozen CCP, Maramar, Pacfish, Degger Group, Sodicor Y Southpacific Seafood.

The CNP indicated that the Pomada shrimp fishery annually generates exports for more than $50 million, being important for the economy of artisanal and industrial fishermen communities in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Export provides growing demand in the international market with sustainable products requirements.

Meanwhile, the project also includes advice that will help identify the necessary improvements, determination of the action plan, costs and financing needs. Likewise, WWF Ecuador, an organization that has worked with the pomada shrimp fishery for more than a decade, has expressed its interest to the CNP in joining efforts to this sustainability initiative for the export sector.

The CNP explained that it was decided to start this process at the request of this new unionized subsector and in alignment with its vision for the development of fishing in the country.

"The guild acknowledges that the process is projected with medium and long term results, and will demand important human and economic resources; however, it is vital to start it as soon as possible to ensure the sustainability of this fishery, its industries and the employment it generates," said the guild.