On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22nd, OLVEA highlights several concrete initiatives carried out within its business activities to contribute to the preservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. 

Because our business relies exclusively on natural resources, biodiversity is at the very heart of our challenges. Through our OLVEAct for Biodiversity approach, we work to assess our impacts, support more sustainable practices, and promote responsible supply chains. 

OLVEA is a long-standing partner in the Mauritanian small pelagic Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP), alongside the Mauritanian authorities, scientists from IMROP (Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic Research and Fisheries), and industry professionals. 

Thanks to our local roots, we act as a facilitator by coordinating stakeholders, engaging fishmeal and fish oil producers, and securing funding from our customers to support field actions. 

In 2024, the project continued to gain momentum, particularly in the areas of traceability, social responsibility, and the scientific monitoring of fisheries resources. 

Key figures: 

• 20 participating factories 

• 8.5 samples collected per 1,000 tonnes of fish during scientific monitoring campaigns 

Mauritania is now recognized for its transparency efforts in the fisheries sector, notably through the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI). 

Biodiversity is deeply intertwined with our sourcing of natural raw materials. 

To effectively monitor the environmental challenges of our supply chains, we have mapped all our sourcing: countries of origin, geographic production areas, and the biodiversity preservation practices implemented by our suppliers. 

This risk assessment, combined with regular field visits, enables us to identify and promote more sustainable practices: 

• Organic farming 
• Soil conservation 
• Sourcing and harvesting best practices training 
• Regenerative agriculture 

In line with these high standards, a grade of ou olive oil has recently been UEBT verified ethically sourced. This ensures that our sourcing combines strict ethical requirements with initiatives that promote a positive impact for people and biodiversity.

Aware of our impact on the climate and ecosystems, we take active steps to measure and minimize our footprint for the sake of future generations. Yet, protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility that demands collective action across our whole value chain. 

This is exactly what OLVEAct for Biodiversity stands for. Alongside our local partners, suppliers, clients, and scientific experts, we are building more transparent, responsible, and resilient supply chains day after day.