Ocean Allies program recognizes mahi fishers from Ecuador and Peru for their commitment to protecting marine wildlife

Publix and SFP’s Global Mahi Supply Chain Roundtable support and promote best practices in bycatch release in the Eastern Pacific mahi-mahi fishery

Lima, Peru – At an awards ceremony hosted by COREMAHI, the winners of the Ocean Allies contest were recognized for their success in implementing responsible practices in the handling and release of marine wildlife during the 2025-26 mahi-mahi fishing season. The contest, which was funded by Publix Super Markets and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) Global Mahi Supply Chain Roundtable (SR) and executed by COREMAHI, sought to reward responsible fishers who have long implemented good practices.

Ocean Allies was open to fishers on vessels engaged exclusively in mahi fishing operations in Ecuador and Peru, who submitted videos demonstrating their use of best practices for bycatch handling and release – practices that have been strengthened through training programs led since 2020 by organizations such as FONDEPES (National Fund for Fisheries Development) and AMAREA Sostenible.

More than 30 fishers from 16 different vessels submitted videos, documenting the responsible release of 28 individuals of vulnerable species: 18 sea turtles, six sharks, two dolphins, one ray, and one seabird. The videos, which were evenly distributed between the two countries, were evaluated by a panel of experts. 

In addition to social media recognition and a medal, the captains and crew members of the winning vessels received a Garmin GPS device (first place) and a tablet (second place). The awards ceremony at the COREMAHI annual meeting in Lima brought together representatives of partner companies along the mahi value chain, such as the Peru Mahi Alliance, as well as fishing organizations from Peru and Ecuador. 

Henry Paúl Saavedra Vilchez, from the vessel BP Alexander, who won first place in Peru for his video of releasing a loggerhead turtle, thanked COREMAHI and Ocean Allies for the experience. “We want to continue motivating fishers to keep implementing good practices, to keep releasing species, and to help the ecosystem,” he said.

Publix shared a congratulatory video at the event, thanking the participants and recognizing their contributions to fisheries sustainability. “What we value most about the Ocean Allies project is that they recognize a simple truth that we have valued from the beginning of our sustainability journey: that lasting improvement only happens when fishermen are part of the solution,” Guy Pizzuti, Publix Business Development Director of Seafood, said in the video.

Winners of the first Ocean Allies contest