Sustainable Fishing

The Oceans represent a large part of the biodiversity on the planet.

Marine Life, which involves some 250,000 known species, provides half the oxygen we breathe. And it absorbs 26% of carbon dioxide emissions. For these reasons too, it is important to preserve ecosystems and habitats.

Fishing considered sustainable implies respect for the structure, productivity, function and diversity of marine ecosystems, suitability to their circumstances and compliance with local, national and international laws.

Jose Gourmet fish is fished sustainably. The small-scale fishing and the method of capture sensitive to artisanal tradition bring ecological, economic and social benefits. In this way we can contribute to a good relationship between the amount of fish caught and the amount of fish left in the sea to reproduce, maintaining the ecological balance.

Portugal is located on the Continental Shelf, an underwater shelf 80 to 160 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean, with a wide variety of fish. Larger fish, such as tuna and sharks, come to the shallower coastal waters to feed on smaller fish. Our coast has an abundance of species, such as mackerel, plaice, sea bass, sea bream, blue fish, swordfish, horse mackerel, sardines.

Sardines have occupied a prominent place in the Portuguese diet for as long as memory.

This oily fish is rich in protein, omega-3 and calcium, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

We seek to contribute to the internationalization of this sublime fish, through the production of the best canned sardines on the market.

Purse-seine fishing consists in the use of nets in the open sea to catch dense shoals of fish such as sardines and mackerel.

Once the shoal has entered, the bottom of the net closes to encircle the fish, a movement that resembles tightening the strings of a drawstring purse.

The purse-seine fishing used in JOSE Gourmet’s production process doesn’t use fishing aggregating devices (FADs), which is important for sustainability because such devices attract species that are caught by accident, such as turtles and sharks.

Also, the holes in the fishing nets used are larger than necessary to ensure that the most juvenile fish are released, and the species reproduce.

The European Union also imposes very strict fishing limits that have boosted fish stocks in recent years.

Supporting Artisanal Fishing is something we prioritise, since the use of fresh fish from the Portuguese coast is a requirement for us, and by doing that we are also supporting the local fishery. This way, we are adding value to those who consume our products – by guaranteeing the best quality possible of our cans – and to those who produce them.

Fishing has been a part of Portuguese gastronomy for centuries. The proximity to the sea means that the fish has an unrivalled quality and freshness. Despite this, fishing can be a very unsustainable industry. That’s why the European Union has created fishing rules that limit the number of fish caught, considering the survival of the species.

Choosing JOSE Gourmet products means choosing sustainable options that combine the traditions of flavors with the necessary innovation of the times.