Tracing the Origins: Uncovering Where Rio Mare Sources its Tuna

As a dedicated tuna lover, I’m always curious about where my favorite brands source their fish When it comes to Rio Mare, Italy’s number one tuna producer, their tuna has quite the backstory Through their advanced traceability program, we can pinpoint exactly where those tender tuna fillets swimming in olive oil originate.

In this article, we’ll explore the various oceans and seas where Rio Mare tuna is caught We’ll also look at how Rio Mare pioneered a transparency movement in the tuna world. Their meticulous tracking system allows us to trace each tin back to its roots.

Oceans of Origin: The Fishing Grounds of Rio Mare Tuna

Rio Mare tuna hails from fishing grounds across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. By sourcing from diverse regions, they maintain flexibility in their supply chain. This also prevents overfishing of any single tuna stock.

Some specifics fishing zones include Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and the waters off Spain and Italy. Indonesia and the Solomons are known for high-quality pole and line caught tuna. This artisanal approach aligns with Rio Mare’s sustainability commitments.

In addition to these areas, Rio Mare also fishes in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean. Their extensive network of suppliers spans the globe, from the coasts of South America to the waters off Africa.

Pioneering Traceability: Rio Mare’s Transparency Movement

So how does Rio Mare keep track of its far-flung tuna sources? Through their pioneering traceability program launched in 2018. Rio Mare was the first tuna company in Italy to achieve full supply chain transparency.

Their system digitally tracks each tuna batch from bait to plate. Consumers can access detailed info on the fishing method, vessel, origin date, and more for every can. Rio Mare also became the first tuna producer in Italy and worldwide to earn ISO 22005 certification for its robust traceability practices.

This radical transparency enables consumers to make informed choices. We can now easily determine if a particular tin aligns with our sustainability values based on its unique fishing background.

Peeling Back the Label: What Rio Mare’s Traceability Data Reveals

When you enter a tin’s code into Rio Mare’s traceability portal, you unlock a wealth of origin data. Here are some of the insights their traceability program provides:

• Fishing Zone: Shows exact coordinates of catch location down to 1/10th of a degree

• Vessel Details: Includes name, nationality and registration number

• Catch Method: Specifies if pole and line, purse seine, etc.

• Catch Dates: Pinpoints when fish was caught and processed

• Species: Names the type of tuna like skipjack or yellowfin

With this level of transparency, we can better understand the backstory of our tuna. Traceability brings accountability into the opaque tuna industry.

Promoting Sustainable Fishing: Rio Mare’s Conservation Efforts

Rio Mare doesn’t just want to show consumers where its tuna comes from—it wants to protect those oceans. That’s why sustainability is central to their mission.

Some of Rio Mare’s initiatives include:

• Founding member of International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF)

• First tuna company to partner with WWF Italy on sustainable fishing

• Achieved over 95% reduction in dolphin bycatch through Dolphin Safe practices

• Testing bycatch reduction devices like the “hopper” to safely release unwanted species from nets

Through their traceability program, Rio Mare can also identify and eliminate any vessels partaking in illegal fishing or unsustainable methods. This ensures the oceans remain vibrant for future generations of tuna—and tuna lovers!

Delivering Quality: Maintaining Excellence from Ocean to Tin

While traceability provides transparency, Rio Mare also prioritizes quality control. They carefully monitor each step of the process to deliver tuna at its best.

It starts with sourcing from pole and line fishermen with generations of experience catching only optimal tuna. Gentle hand cleaning and cooking methods help lock in the flavor.

Finally, Rio Mare’s classic olive oil packing puts the perfect finishing touch on the moist, tender tuna fillets. Before closing any tin, they conduct extensive product inspections to catch any imperfections.

So while you can’t physically travel to the remote oceans where Rio Mare tuna swim, their traceability program brings full transparency. Now we can embark on a virtual voyage retracing each tin of tuna back to its source. Just enter the code and discover the story behind sustainable Rio Mare tuna!