Phu Yen fishermen with a tuna. Fifteen Vietnamese tuna processing and fishing businesses have been verified as being Dolphin Safe to export tuna to the EU, US and Australia. — File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — 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 Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors said the institute had required Vietnamese tuna exporters not to use drift gill nets to catch tuna, based on a report from the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission on tuna exploitation in Viet Nam's central coast provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa.

The institute warned Vietnamese tuna exporters they might not be granted the Dolphin Safe Tuna label because drift gill nets affected the dolphins' living environment and the marine ecosystem. They required the businesses to satisfy their concerns.

The 15 Vietnamese tuna exporters confirmed they did not use materials exploited from drift gill nets 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 gill-net 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. — VNS