Statement
Response of the Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association to Report by BLOOM and Dutch Journalists of SPIT
A recent report was published by the French activist NGO BLOOM in collaboration with Dutch journalists from the investigative collective SPIT. This report mainly contains allegations that have been taken out of context and are presented in a one-sided manner, thereby painting a distorted picture of the pelagic fishing sector. Actions and practices that fully comply with national and European laws and regulations are unjustly portrayed as suspicious or dubious.
The report is therefore largely based on assumptions and speculation, with factual substantiation either lacking or deliberately ignored.
The Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association (PFA), representing the interests of 8 pelagic freezer trawler companies in Europe, finds it concerning that this appears to be a deliberate attempt to discredit an entire sector.
It is questionable whether this qualifies as journalism at all. While the authors present themselves as investigative journalists, the result is not an objective investigation but an advocacy report, lacking the context, verification, and facts expected of responsible journalism.
We are always willing to share the factual story of pelagic fisheries. Finally, we would like to stress the importance of including insights from other relevant stakeholders—such as governmental bodies, scientists, and independent regulators—in order to form a fact-based view of the fishing sector.
Please find our Dutch statement here: Reactie Redersvereniging voor de Zeevisserij op rapport BLOOM
Date Posted: 22nd May 2025