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With nearly five million tonnes fished annually, tuna is one of the most important fisheries in the world. It is also a booming industry worth billions of dollars. But today one third of these stocks are overfished or at risk of overfishing, due mainly to the inadequate and opaque management of tuna fisheries that give free rein to illegal and uncontrolled fishing practices. This is why Earthworm Foundation and key players in the industry have come together as the Tuna Protection Alliance, working to meet demand without compromising resources for future generations.
At launch in September 2018, the Tuna Protection Alliance's ambition was organised around two major axes:
To the end of 2018, the group mainly carried out transparency actions. Through mapping market sourcing, transparency data was been gathered: In 2017-2018, TUPA members’ volume was approximately 100,000 tonnes of tuna; 97% of these supplies come from purse seine; of which 14% on fad-free; - Yellowfin tuna is the most represented species, followed by Skipjack tuna; - The main fishing areas are the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic-East; - Almost 90% of supplies were traced back to ships, representing a panel or around 500 vessels supplying the market represented by group members.
OceanMind, a UK-based non-profit, was chosen to support the Tuna Protection Alliance on specific monitoring issues. Using satellites and artificial intelligence, OceanMind is helping to ensure supply chains are free of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fish. It conducted a multi-level analysis: verifying the identity of vessels and their activity at sea; particularly by studying their trajectory, thanks to the automated identification system (AIS) signals. The following indicators were monitored for compliance.
This year, three major actions are being undertaken:
Continuing our work with OceanMind.
Exploring and using innovative monitoring tools to ensure the robust traceability and integrity of product claims related to purse seine FAD-free and Pole & Line catch methods.
Delivering concrete recommendations for a responsible tuna that minimises the impacts of each fishing technique (Purse Seine fishing -both FADs and Free School sets-; Pole & Line); as well as guidance to several FIP projects and MSC fisheries related to the group’s supplies; - Advocacy actions to relevant RFMOs.
Before entering the Tuna Protection Alliance, all companies must share the group’s values. These values are transcribed in a document entitled ‘Manifesto for a more sustainable tuna sector’. This manifesto reflects the common ambition of the group: by 2025, to offer a responsible tuna for sale.
If you would like any more information about the Tuna Protection Alliance you can reach out the coordinators:
Please call on +33 3 20 31 63 39 or send us a message.
Como organización compuesta por miembros, sabemos que la colaboración es clave para alcanzar el éxito y que todos tienen un rol que jugar en la creación del balance entre las personas y la naturaleza. Estamos siempre abiertos a escuchar de potenciales nuevos miembros o clients, inversionistas o socios interesados y aquellos que apenas quieren saber más. Por favor, contactarnos!
¿Tienes una idea que podría ayudar a transformer una cadena de valor o tener un papel en la lucha contra el cambio climático? Apreciamos totalmente el poder de las ideas y de la colaboración. Por favor, contáctanos y comparte tus pensamientos.
¿Quieres saber más sobre nuestro trabajo en terreno? Ya sea que trabajas en sostenibilidad, periodismos o eres simplemente curioso y quieres conocer más sobre lo que hacemos, estaremos encantados en responder tus dudas.
