Country's First Tuna Cannery Operating in Marlborough

Thursday, February 10th 2005

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A specialist tuna cannery has opened in Marlborough.

Ocean Pure, situated in Cloudy Bay Business Park, is New Zealand's first tuna cannery, and it is also the only one in Australasia to be approved by the American-based environmental protection organisation Earth Island Institute as "dolphin safe".

The Earth Island Institute established the global "Dolphin Safe" standards in 1990. The standards ensure that dolphins and other marine life are not harmed by tuna harvesting methods.

Ocean Pure sales and marketing manager Maree Gard said she met the institute's project manager Mark Berman at a tuna conference in Bangkok last year, and felt that Earth Island's standards epitomised Ocean Pure's own philosophy for the protection and sustainablilty of ocean life.

"It's important to us because we respect the environment we use as a very important resource," she said.

"And the certification doesn't stop with us - there's a domino effect. Our suppliers also have to be Earth Island approved. We've already asked them to be dolphin safe and they've said yes."

The cannery was certified last September, and yesterday Mr Berman paid his first visit to New Zealand to visit the cannery to finalise the inspection.

"I think it's a very fine operation; very modern and everything looks in good order, and I'm satisfied with the logo," said Mr Berman.

Ocean Pure Corporation is a family-run business established in Marlborough in September 2003, although the product has only been in stores for a month.

Managing director Allan Gard is an old hand in the fishing industry, and was involved in establishing the live crayfish export market before he decided to target albacore tuna.

The idea of setting up an albacore tuna cannery came after he began helping an American albacore tuna fleet in Tauranga, sending its raw fish to offshore canneries in Asia.

Seeing a niche in New Zealand, he decided to establish a cannery here, and to improve on canning methods.

Most of the canned tuna bought in New Zealand is skipjack or yellow tuna, but the flesh of albacore, much favoured by Americans and Canadians, is paler and contains less fat. It also boasts a mild flavour and firm texture. Only seven per cent of the total tuna catch in the world is albacore.

"We chose albacore because it's more premium and of higher nutritional value, and our aim is to produce a high quality, premium product," said Ms Gard.
Unlike most tuna, which is cooked twice, before and after canning, Ocean Pure tuna is packed raw then cooked only once in the can.

This seals in all the flavour and nutritional content. It is the only canned tuna product in New Zealand to be processed in this way.
Ms Gard said Ocean Pure sourced as much tuna as possible from offshore Auckland, but off season, it was caught from similar locations around the Pacific Islands and South Africa.

"In light of this, Marlborough obviously isn't the most practical location for a tuna factory, but dad had already moved here with mum to retire, and because they loved it so much, they didn't want to move," she said.

"However, we try to use as much local product as we can. Our sea salt comes from Grassmere, and the spring water is sourced naturally from Mills and Ford Rd."

In volume, the company aimed to process 2500 tonne of raw tuna a year. They were already supplying the US market, with the EU to follow in the next few months. Locally, the company sold through selected retail outlets such as Springlands Fresh Choice and Moore Wilsons.

In the future, Ocean Pure hoped to be the first company in the world to can New Zealand's green shell mussels, and was also looking at other ideas such as canned seafood soups and pates.

Publised in the Marlborough Express 20 January 2005. Author Kate Tringham

A footnote from the Team at Ideal Health.

We strongly endorse the use of this product.

A convenient, 'ready-to-eat' product, this canned albacore tuna is wholesome, delicious, completely natural and "dolphin safe".

Most of the off-shore canneries pre cook the tuna (taking up to 8 hours), then strip the meat from the frames, fill the cans, seal the cans and then they go through a second final cook. It is widely acknowledged that there is little nutritional value or flavour left in a can of tuna that has been pre cooked.

Unlike large canning operations, Ocean Pure cooks the albacore tuna only once and in the can. This retains all the flavour and nutritional properties (proteins/omega). It is the only canned tuna product in New Zealand to be processed in this way. There are no additives or fillers in Ocean Pures product. Ideal for those on a high protein or Candida diets.

Also, it does not taste like traditional canned fish. The flavour is clean, mild and very smooth. Albacore tuna has low fat content, high protein levels and omega-3 fatty acids, offering you many great health benefits for your heart and overall health.

The following products can be ordered online :

Fish Oil 1000 - Omega 3
Omega 3 1500mg
Reflux-free Salmon Oil

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Acid and alkaline forming foods
Anti Inflammatory
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Arthritis & Rheumatism
Carbohydrate and protein content of foods
Cardio Vascular Health
Efamarine for healthy skin, hair and nails
Fish oils, garlic and antioxidants for the prevention & treatment of cardiovascular disease
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Protein - a macronutrient so often overlooked

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Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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