SOURCING
and sustainable fishing:
a lasting commitment
When Fishing is in Harmony with the Ocean
Fishing is the cornerstone of our company.
However, we are faced with a daunting reality: 64.4% of the world's fish stocks are exploited to their maximum capacity, while 35.6% are beyond their biologically sustainable limit.
Illegal fishing reaches alarming figures, with up to 26 million tonnes of fish caught illegally each year.
But it doesn't end there: up to 50% of the fish caught are accidentally caught and then released, often with serious damage to marine ecosystems, a phenomenon that affects 70% of the Mediterranean.
Why are we talking about all this?
Put simply, for us at Monti these are not just numbers.
They are a genuine catastrophe, and we feel that we must do something, in our own small way, to improve the situation.
Such disturbing data has led us to ask ourselves: ‘what does “biologically sustainable” really mean when we talk about fishing?’
Sustainable Fishing according to Monti
Sustainable fishing for us is much more than an option or a business strategy.
It is a profound commitment, a call to responsibility towards our planet.
It is a promise we make to ourselves and to future generations. We believe it is one of the keys to preserving the treasure of the oceans and protecting the delicate balance of life on Earth.
The Pillars of Sustainable Fishing
At Monti, sustainable fishing is based on 3 fundamental pillars.
· Conservation of Fish Populations
Leaving sufficient individuals in the sea for them to reproduce and regenerate stocks is our priority.
We avoid the overfishing that could threaten future generations of fish.
· Respect for the Ecosystem
We are committed to not using fishing methods that are harmful to the marine ecosystem.
For example, trawling, which scrapes away everything it encounters, has no place in our processes.
· Minimised Bycatch
Another fundamental pillar of sustainable fishing is the minimisation of bycatch, i.e. the accidental capture of non-target species.
Over the years, we have adopted more selective fishing techniques to avoid catching unwanted species.
In fact, fishing for Arctic cod, the species from which we obtain our prized salted cod, is mainly done by fishing line, one of the least impactful methods.
In addition, we use exclusion devices and selective mesh nets.
This allows us to let unsuitable species escape: sharks, cetaceans, turtles and other endangered species are thus released immediately, without causing any harm to them or the marine ecosystem.
Our Dedication to a Greener Future
Fishing of Arctic cod is at the heart of our dedication to sustainable fishing.
This species has been the subject of careful studies and regulations aimed at protecting it and preserving its population.
Our aim is to actively contribute to this conservation mission.
With the introduction of the quota system (TAC), catch limits have been allocated to the various groups of fishing boats to ensure that cod populations are not depleted.
Overfishing has been curbed thanks to this control mechanism, which allows us to ensure that the fish we take from the sea never exceed biologically sustainable limits.
Our Species: A Double Treasure from the Deep
In the depths of our oceans, two species of cod play a crucial role in the marine food chain and in world gastronomy: Gadus Morhua and Gadus Macrocephalus.
Although different in many ways, these two species share an important link with our business and our passion for salted cod.
Gadus Morhua: the Atlantic Cod
This fish, also known as white cod, inhabits the cold waters of the North Atlantic, from the coasts of Canada to the seas of northern Europe.
It can swim to a depth of 600 metres, where it deposits hundreds of thousands of eggs on the seabed and can live up to 25 years.
Its flesh is characterised by a straw colour and greenish-grey patches.
Gadus Macrocephalus: the Pacific Cod
Unlike Gadus Morhua, Gadus Macrocephalus, or grey cod, lives in the cold waters of the North and East Pacific.
Known for its white, firm flesh, it can swim up to 500 metres deep and is a very important resource for coastal communities in the Pacific regions.
Both these species are a treasure of the oceans and a source of food for mankind. Our love for sustainable fishing aims to preserve them and to guarantee that they can thrive sustainably for future generations.
MSC Certification
MSC certification attests that the fishing area from which the product originates is managed in a sustainable manner, taking into consideration the entire marine ecosystem and the efficiency of the management system.
In our industry, we were the first in Italy to monitor the supply chain, achieving voluntary MSC certification.
At present 90% of our production is certified according to this international scheme.
