News & Media
April 28, 2009
Omega Protein Receives 2009 Friend of the Sea Award
Recognition given by international sustainable fisheries organization
Brussels, Belgium–Omega Protein accepted the 2009 Friend of the Sea award at Friend of the Sea Day in Brussels, Belgium. The award comes as a result of the dedicated efforts toward sustainability and environmental stewardship by Omega Protein. The company was chosen as the leading sustainable organization in the fishmeal and oil category from among a group of organizations meeting the rigorous standards of the certification process.
"The Friend of the Sea Award encourages and motivates fisheries to reduce their environmental impact and protect fisheries from becoming over-exploited," said Paolo Bray, director of Friend of the Sea. Bray, who presented Omega Protein this award, continued, "I have been pleased to work with Omega Protein and know there is no other organization more deserving of this award. Omega Protein is dedicated to the sustainability of the menhaden population."
Friend of the Sea is a global, non-profit, non-governmental organization that specializes in the certification of sustainable seafood from both wild-caught fisheries and farmed products. They are committed to concentrating their efforts toward the conservation of marine habitats and resources.
"We are honored to receive the Friend of the Sea award for 2009 for our dedication to a sustainable menhaden fishery. Omega Protein’s selection further confirms our practices of marine conservation and environmental protection, says Joseph L. von Rosenberg III, president and CEO of Omega Protein. He added, "Our well-managed fishery has operated in a responsible manner for nearly a century, and this award is further evidence of its sustainability."
Omega Protein not only meets the rigorous certification standards of Friend of the Sea, but also has an impressive record of cooperating with state and federal fisheries regulators. Omega has voluntarily partnered with the National Marine Fisheries Service since 1955 to report landings and biological data, resulting in the longest continuous fisheries database in the country. With the use of this cast library of data, the most recent government-produced stock assessment has concluded (as have all past government-produced assessments) that the menhaden fishery is healthy and is not over-fished, nor is over-fishing occurring.