Sustainability at Gialmar
A seafood business only has a future if the oceans do.
Certified seafood and legal catch
Gialmar holds MSC chain-of-custody certification, so MSC-certified products keep their certified status through our plants. We respect EU minimum conservation reference sizes and fishing rules for every species we trade.
To reach new markets and keep improving our quality system, we are working towards Friend of the Sea certification, which assesses the sustainability of fisheries and supply chains.
Three pillars
Practical steps, documented and audited.
Certified sourcing
MSC chain of custody for certified lines, and Friend of the Sea certification in progress.
Efficient cold
A 2022 investment rationalised industrial refrigeration with heat recovery and variable-speed controls to cut energy use.
Cleaner refrigerants
We are replacing cooling equipment that uses harmful gases.
Close to the ports
Buying directly at Portuguese auctions through our own branches shortens the supply chain, reduces handling and helps keep fish fresher for longer.
Freezing at the right time reduces waste: fish that is not sold fresh can be frozen at peak quality instead of being lost.
The rules behind every purchase
Fish landed in Portugal is caught under the EU Common Fisheries Policy, which sets quotas, technical measures and minimum conservation reference sizes. Buying at the official port auctions means every lot is registered at first sale.
Raw material imported from outside the EU must come with a catch certificate under the EU regulation against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. We keep these records for every imported lot, so the origin of what we sell can always be shown.
Frequently asked questions
Is all Gialmar fish MSC certified?
No. MSC applies to certified lines only. Ask us to confirm the status of a specific product before you order.
Do you trade undersized fish?
No. We respect EU minimum conservation reference sizes, including for small sardines (petinga).
How are you reducing energy use?
Through more efficient industrial refrigeration installed in 2022 and an ongoing modernisation of the plant.
Looking for certified seafood?
Ask us which MSC-certified products are currently available.