JEMBER EXPORTER DETERMINED TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE VANAMEI SHRIMP FARMING
By: Usmawati Anggita Sakti (Seafood Savers Communication Assistant)
Established in 1984, PT Mega Marine Pride is a seafood provider based in Jember, East Java. One of the company's main commodities is the processing of vanamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).
Based on its mission, "To establish a solid & reliable management team, to develop human resources through continuous improvement and to be environmentally aware & demonstrate social responsibility", PT Mega Marine Pride decided to conduct an aquaculture improvement program (AIP) with WWF-Indonesia. In addition, to meet the market share in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia, the company enforces strict product monitoring based on the principles of honesty, integrity, responsibility and pro-active and strong determination in the operation of its business.
Under the Seafood Savers scheme, the company enrolled one of its supplier farms, PT Delta Guna Sukses to undergo AIP to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification. This shrimp farming is done using intensive methods.
PT Mega Marine Pride entered the initial stage of Seafood Savers membership in 2017. After passing a series of stages, from the initial registration of the company to the inauguration of membership carried out by signing the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement for Seafood Savers Members on December 6, 2017, the company officially became one of the members of Seafood Savers.
"Thank you WWF-Indonesia for providing a platform for us to realize environmentally friendly shrimp farming practices," said Junita Dwi, a representative of PT Mega Marine Pride.
Taking place in Jakarta, the signing became the legal basis for both parties to make improvements towards the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) ecolabel certification. In accordance with the membership mechanism, the company implements ASC principles in vanamei shrimp production. The improvement of this fishery activity will be assisted by WWF-Indonesia team through the Aquaculture Improvement Program (AIP) over a five-year period. During this time, companies can set specific time targets for each supplier to achieve ASC. For example, the target for Delta Guna Sukses company to obtain ASC is in less than one year.