SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Seafoods Company LLC, Pacific Longline Company LLC, the Department of Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the filing of a Consent Decree in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington. This Consent Decree resolves a dispute over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act by American Seafoods Company and Pacific Longline Company. Under this Decree, American Seafoods has agreed to pay $700,000 in civil penalties and to make a number of substantial, proactive investments to lead the industry in converting seafood processing vessels to more environmentally-friendly processing and freezing technology. American Seafoods has also purchased and retired R-22 import allowances as required by the Decree.
Included in the actions to which American Seafoods has agreed is the accelerated conversion of all six of its active processing vessels to non-ozone depleting refrigerants by the end of 2015. American has already begun the conversion process, having converted a third of its fleet to this greener technology. When completed, American Seafoods expects to have invested approximately $15 million to convert its vessels and improve its overall environmental footprint.
In addition to making these investments, American Seafoods Company also has agreed to complete - with EPA oversight - a comprehensive leak testing, repair and verification program on vessels that have not been converted to non-ozone depleting refrigerants prior to February 28, 2013. Other provisions of the Decree include enhanced reporting requirements and restrictions on use of inactive vessels.
“American Seafoods appreciates the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency in reaching this agreement. The conversion of American Seafoods Company’s vessels to non-ozone depleting refrigerants represents a significant investment by our company to ensure that we lead our industry in reducing ozone-depleting emissions,” noted Matthew Latimer, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for American Seafoods. “When combined with the responsible, sustainable fisheries management systems in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, these actions will assure customers and consumers that our seafood products have the lowest possible overall environmental footprint.”
About American Seafoods
American Seafoods is a leader in the harvesting, processing, preparation and supply of quality seafood. Harvesting a variety of fish species, the Company processes seafood into an array of finished products, both on board its state-of-the-art fleet of vessels and at its HACCP-approved production facilities located in Massachusetts. The Company produces a diverse range of fillet, surimi, roe and block product offerings, made from Alaska pollock, Pacific whiting, Pacific cod, and fresh sea scallops. Finished products are sold worldwide through an extensive global distribution and customer support network. From the ocean to the plate, American Seafoods has established a global sourcing, selling, marketing and distribution network bringing quality seafood to consumers worldwide. For more information, please visit us at www.americanseafoods.com.