Purse Seiner vessels of a South Korean company, Silla Co. Ltd, is found compliant with Friend of the Sea’s sustainability criteria, following third party certification audit. Six Silla purse seiner vessels catching mainly Skipjack and Yellowfin Tuna in the Western Central Pacific have been approved according to international certification sustainability requirements.
The certified Tuna does not come from overfished stock. It is fished by means of selective fishing gears, and following sustainable fishery policies. The Friend of the Sea Audit also verifies appropriate waste and energy management, Dolphin-Safe and FAD practices, as well as social accountability.
Silla was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Since 1990, Silla has focused on Tuna fishing via purse seiners to supply tuna canneries worldwide. In the past, Silla had engaged in trade of textile exports as their starting business. Since 1972, Silla’s field of business has shifted to deep-sea fishery, steel industry, and restaurant operations, but Silla’s current main business is in deep-sea fishery. Deep-sea fishery began in the North Pacific with trawler fishing and later expanded to longline seiner fishing in 1988. Since 1990, it has been catching Tuna for canning purposes using purse seiner vessels.
Purse seiner fishing gear wraps around a school of tuna and constricts the bottom of its gigantic net, which is about 2.5km in length, and 300m in height. Vessels that operate via purse seine fishing are called purse seiners. Silla’s purse seiner fleet is composed of the most recently built vessels with the most up-to-date equipment and a helicopter to aid in detecting fish schools. Silla has 6 purse seiners that are considered ‘super class.’ The reason why there is a difference in prices of canned Tuna in the market is due to different fish species, and the species are classified and marked on the cans. Longline seiner fishing. Silla operates long-line seiner vessels that catch mainly Yellowfin and Big Eye Tuna in the South Pacific Ocean.
Silla’s vessels are equipped with automated fishing implements, fish farming implements, and up-to-date freezing equipment. Silla strengthens its position as a front runner in the Tuna longline seiner field through constant investment in fishing equipment, and skillful labor through continuous education and R&D. Tuna for sashimi is frozen rapidly under -60°C from the moment of catch due to client preference for fresh taste and nutrition. The quality value of Silla fish is gained through recognition from buyers as an export item to Japan. It has also contributed to the country by obtaining foreign currency.
Silla Co. Ltd primarily engages in the deep-sea fishery business in South Korea. The company catches Yellowfin and Big Eye Tuna using a fleet of purse and longline seiner ships in the South Pacific Ocean. It is also involved in the sale of stainless steel and carbon alloy steel products, including wire rods, wires, coils, and steel bars; processing of seafood; and operating Darangwon, a Japanese Style restaurant.
Silla had a public offering of stocks in 1976 and won the ‘Best Enterprise Award’ from Korea Management Association. In addition, the company was awarded ‘Gold Industrial Medal’ and garnered exports of over $50 million. Silla has invested in both domestic and foreign fishery, and seafood processing. It is a mid-sized company holding 13 affiliated companies.
Silla is the originating company of the Silla Group, and has walked alongside South Korea’s economic development through its participation in the trade and deep-sea fishery industries, preserving its proud 50-year lineage. Silla currently operates 17 tuna purse seiners, 11 tuna longline seiners, and 1 Pollock trawler-boat in its capacity as a global fishery company.
Silla’s goals are: building high-speed informationalization; cultivating competitive power; and managing human and intellectual resources efficiently.
“We are extremely proud of having obtained the Friend of the Sea certification” comments Silla’s top management, “This is in line with Silla’s continuous engagement in marine conservation and social accountability.”
Silla carries out various social contribution activities to ensure that the company gives back to society. As part as the Silla Cultural Scholarship Foundation, it has helped about 3,000 students to achieve their dreams over the past 40 years and other social contribution activities to help the underprivileged.
