Report on the Implementation of the derogation to ... - Trade Websites

Final <strong>Report</strong>
RoO Derogation under the PACP-IEPA
The third development in the French fleet is the emergence of Sapmer as a new player in tuna purse
seining. Previously, Réunion-based Sapmer specialised in tuna longlining. It commissioned the
construction of three new purse seiners from 2007 onwards. 286 As a very recent investment in purse
seining this represents another positive outlook for future profitability. However, the major
difference from the rest of the EU DWF is that at least part of this catch will not be processed into
canned tuna. Sapmer’s business plan is based on catching and processing for diversified markets,
including processing vacuum packed portions of tuna and other pelagic species at its Mer des
Mascareignes factory in Mauritius, which was built in 2009. 287 This is major innovation in the
standard business model of the EU DWF and is based on higher value market segments and higher
product quality than canned tuna. 288 Sapmer faces two challenges. The ongoing economic slump in
the EU and elsewhere may generate a reluctance among some EU residents to pay more for freshchilled
or frozen tuna portions. In addition, the incidence of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean may
affect raw material supply as all Sapmer vessels are currently based there. Perhaps in an effort to
counter the latter dynamic, Sapmer has expressed interest in establishing a high value frozen
yellowfin loin processing facility for export to Asian markets in PNG (see Section 3.2.3).
286 Constructed in Concarneau, France by Piriou Group, and in Vietnam by a subsidiary of Piriou Group.
287 Sapmer 2011.
288 See Hamilton et al. 2011: Chapter 8 for an overview of this non-canned market segment.
Linpico s.a.r.l. Page 140