is tuna from mauritius safe

Is Tuna From Mauritius Safe? A Complete AnalysisTuna is one of the most popular and commonly consumed fish worldwide. However, concerns have been raised about the safety and sustainability of tuna especially from regions like Mauritius. In this article, we’ll analyze if tuna from Mauritius is safe for consumption.

Mauritius – A Major Tuna Exporter
Mauritius is an island nation located off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It has a strong economy based on sugar, textiles, and tourism. Mauritius also has a sizable fishing industry, with tuna being one of the main exports.

The tuna industry employs over 7,000 people in Mauritius. Around 280,000 tons of tuna are caught annually in the Indian Ocean, with Mauritius being a key player. The main types of tuna caught are yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack. Tuna accounts for about 8% of the total exports of Mauritius.

The island nation has invested heavily in port infrastructure and facilities to support the tuna industry. This includes cold storage landing quays, processing plants, and an extensive network of public and private laboratories for quality testing. Mauritius has positioned itself as a seafood hub for fishing vessels operating in the Indian Ocean.

Despite being an important economic sector, there are concerns about the sustainability and safety of tuna from Mauritius.

Overfishing and Declining Tuna Stocks
One major issue is overfishing. Environmental groups have warned about overexploitation of yellowfin tuna stocks, which are currently 94% overfished in the Indian Ocean. Indiscriminate use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) by industrial seiners leads to bycatch of other species along with immature tuna.

Overfishing not only harms the environment but also threatens food security in coastal regions. Mauritius and other stakeholders are taking steps to establish tuna catch quotas and protect spawning grounds. However, declining tuna stocks remain a concern.

Use of Harmful Fishing Methods
Certain fishing techniques used in the region, like FADs and purse seine nets, lead to bycatch of sharks, rays, dolphins, and turtles. This “collateral damage” threatens biodiversity and ocean ecosystems. Some companies have faced lawsuits over false labeling of their tuna as “dolphin-safe”.

There is pressure on the local industry to ban harmful practices like FADs and drift nets. The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission regulates tuna fishing in the region but environmental groups want even stronger protective measures.

Risk of Mercury Contamination
Tuna contains high levels of mercury, especially larger predator fish like bluefin tuna. When tuna consume smaller fish, they ingest the mercury those fish have accumulated from the environment. Over time, this mercury accumulates up the food chain into tuna.

Too much mercury from seafood can harm human health, especially that of pregnant women and young children. Mauritius does have regulations and testing facilities to monitor mercury in exported tuna. However, not all tuna are equally contaminated. Consumers should choose smaller tuna species caught through sustainable methods.

Is Canned Tuna from Mauritius Safe?
Canned tuna is the most common form in which Mauritian tuna is exported to the US, EU, and Japan. Canning allows wider distribution but also raises safety concerns like microbial contamination and leaching of BPA from can liners.

However, Mauritius has stringent regulations for its canned tuna industry. All seafood processing plants must be HACCP certified by meeting food safety management standards. The government regularly inspects facilities and products for pathogens, spoilage, labelling compliance, and contaminants.

Mauritius also adheres to standards established by export destinations like the EU and the US. For example, all tuna canneries operate under EU sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. This covers aspects ranging from traceability to hygienic design of canning facilities.

Regular testing by government agencies and third-party audits ensure exported canned tuna meets international food safety norms. While being vigilant, consumers can be reasonably assured of the safety of canned tuna from Mauritius.

Steps Taken by Mauritius for Safer Tuna
The government of Mauritius and companies involved in the tuna industry are taking several steps to ensure sustainability and enhance consumer safety:

• Monitoring tuna stocks and establishing fishing quotas in partnership with the IOTC.

• Developing management plans for tuna fisheries through domestic regulations and policies.

• Investing in better monitoring and surveillance to curb illegal fishing in Mauritian waters.

• Providing training and support to local fishermen to adopt responsible fishing practices.

• Improving traceability from catch to finished products by using blockchain and DNA barcoding technology.

• Testing tuna regularly for biological, chemical, and heavy metal contaminants before export.

• Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and international standards across the supply chain.

• Seeking sustainability certifications from bodies like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for wild caught tuna.

• Using more selective and low-impact fishing gear like pole and line to reduce bycatch.

How Consumers Can Pick Safer Tuna from Mauritius
As a consumer, you can also contribute towards driving positive change through your tuna purchases. Here are some tips for picking safer tuna from Mauritius:

• Check for sustainability certifications like “Dolphin Safe”, MSC blue eco-label, or Friends of the Sea on the tuna can. This indicates responsible fishing practices were used.

• Choose pole and line or troll/line caught tuna as these methods have minimal bycatch compared to FAD or purse seine fishing.

• Opt for skipjack or albacore tuna which are smaller species with lower mercury levels. Avoid bigeye and bluefin tuna.

• Check the HMSA listing for tuna canneries in Mauritius and pick brands following food safety guidelines.

• Limit consumption of canned tuna to 2-3 servings per week, especially for pregnant women and young children.

• Buy tuna canned in BPA-free packaging to minimize chemical contamination.

• Look for brands that trace tuna back to the vessel and use blockchain to improve transparency.

• Support local small-scale fishermen in Mauritius who use traditional sustainable fishing methods.

By making informed choices as a consumer, you can ensure that the tuna you eat from Mauritius is good for you as well as the ocean environment. It encourages companies and regulators to raise the bar on sustainability and safety.

Conclusion
Tuna forms a vital part of the Mauritian economy and provides food security in the Indian Ocean region. However, the sustainability and safety of tuna from Mauritius have rightly come under scrutiny from environmental groups, regulators, and consumers.

Overfishing, use of harmful fishing techniques, and mercury contamination are challenges that need addressing through science-based quota policies, better enforcement, and adoption of responsible fishing practices. There is also onus on companies to improve traceability and transparency.

The government has stringent standards and regulations for the seafood processing industry which help ensure the safety of canned and frozen tuna exports. But continued monitoring and auditing are required. Consumers also have a role to play by making informed choices that encourage sustainable tuna fishing.

While not without risks, tuna from well-regulated Mauritian companies that adopt responsible fishing methods can provide nutrition for consumers without depleting ocean resources. Striking the right balance between commercial fishing and conservation is key to the long-term viability of the tuna industry in Mauritius.