Since 1888 family owned company W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V. has developed into a leading player in the pelagic fishing industry. Over more than a century the company has built up an excellent reputation in the international fishing world. Always quick to react to new developments and opportunities, it has secured a strong market position.
In the past decades W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V. has become highly specialized in catching , processing and marketing pelagic species. We can supply our customers wholeyear around. 2009 - Certified sustainable fisheries reached a new milestone! MSC
Fishing for food
Throughout its long history, since 1888, W. van der Zwan & Zn BV. has always remained a family business. We continue to provide our international customers with healthy, nutritious, high-quality fish. We do so by catching, processing and distributing fish in an efficient, sustainable and responsible way. With respect for the environments in which we operate. In doing so, we help meet the growing global demand for affordable and sustainable sources of animal protein. Nowadays we provide approximately one million people worldwide with affordable high-protein fish every day. Most of these people live in Africa and Asia.
Fishing vessels
W. van der Zwan & Zn BV owns and operates a fleet of state-of-the-art deep-sea stern freezer trawlers that effectively catch, grade, on-board freeze and pack pelagic fish for human consumption. The latest generation trawlers is setting the standard for future developments in the industry. Every vessel has a crew of committed and multi-skilled professionals, and is fitted with advanced fishing and freezing technology. By using the most sophisticated equipment and technical expertise we ensure a sustainable method of fishing and a first class quality product.
Coldstores
In order to provide and maintain high quality products, W. van der Zwan & Zn BV relies on the back-up of excellent coldstore facilities in the ports of Scheveningen and Velsen (The Netherlands) for the temporary storage of its deep-frozen fish products. These facilities ensure constant supply throughout the year. In various African countries as well, W. van der Zwan & Zn BV has built large coldstores in order to facilitate the storage and distribution of its products. Out of these coldstores, the fish is transported far inland and made available to millions of people. For many of them, pelagic fish is the most affordable source of protein, and their daily menu consists of some rice with a piece of pelagic fish.
Sustainable production
Our goal is simple: we should fish in such a way that fish stocks and their natural habitats remain healthy and productive. This is the only way in which we can continue to meet the demand of present and future generations. ‘We want to preserve the capital and to catch the interest.’
To fulfil this mission, we will continue to contribute to scientific research. Scientific research is essential for setting quotas, implementing and maintaining a sound management system for various fish stocks and for further innovations in selective catch methods. A logical consequence of this sustainability policy is the certification of fisheries according to the MSC principles. Moreover, our fish is characterized by a high Omega-3 content, a relatively very low CO-2 footprint and a low price.