Norpac Fisheries Export and Partners Launch Stakeholders Consultation Meeting in Boston for Fisheries Improvement Project

HONOLULU, Hawaii, March 16, 2012 — On March, 11 2012, Norpac Fisheries Export and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership convened a Stakeholder Consultation Meeting for the launch of a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) pelagic longline bigeye tuna fisheries. Tom Kraft, Managing Member of Norpac Fisheries Export, along with the project coordinators introduced to concept to the companies and organizations who have a direct interest in the ecological and economic sustainability of the fisheries.

The meeting attendees were introduced to the purpose, process and governance of the Fisheries Improvement Project. The forum also provided an opportunity for stakeholders' input to improve planned activities aimed at improving governance and fishing practices. The meeting coincided with the International Seafood Show in Boston at the Westin over the weekend.

Activities conducted under this FIP included a review of the findings of a third-party Marine Stewardship Council pre-assessment report for the two fisheries in the FIP. The group also began the groundwork for developing an agreed, publicly-available work plan of activities and schedule to address deficiencies in the two fisheries as identified in the pre-assessment.

The aim of this project is to move the fisheries towards improved ecological and economic sustainability, including through working with domestic and regional fishery management authorities and companies in the supply chain, including the fishing sector, and reporting progress in implementing the work plan activities. Always raising the bar for industry participation and awareness, Kraft is again leading the charge.

The FIP is another progressive step in Norpac's "Best Practices" and "ARTS" commitment, as they relate to the Honolulu-based company's employment and corporate responsibility and sustainability practices.

Norpac Fisheries Export supplies top quality seafood sourced only from capture and aquaculture fisheries employing ecologically sustainable practices and management. Norpac has the capacity to meet its customers' real time needs by managing across the seafood supply chain, from the capture sector fishing vessels, processing facilities and aircraft for distribution, and is an industry leader in having developed and implementing a product full traceability system .

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), an international non-governmental organization with tax-exempt status in the United States, engages and catalyzes global seafood supply chains in rebuilding depleted fish stocks and reducing the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming. SFP coordinates FIPs globally to assist alliances of stakeholders – retailers, processors, producers and catchers – to help fisheries meet environmental requirements of major markets.

For more information, visit the Norpac website www.norpacexport.com, or call Norpac's Honolulu office at 808-842-3474.

Contact:

Tom Kraft
Managing Member
Ph: 206-328-5157

Scotty Fraser, General Manager
Scotty@norpacexport.com
1535 Colburn St
Honolulu HI 96817
PH: 808-842-3474