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A united ambition to bring more responsibility to the canned tuna market

A united ambition to bring more responsibility to the canned tuna market

The Tuna Protection Alliance (TUPA)

The Tuna Protection Alliance (TUPA) is a precompetitive initiative driven by canned tuna market players who recognise that retailers, producers and fleets must work together to quickly adopt better fishing practices and management to restore balance and safeguard resources for future generations.

Launched in September 2018, TUPA focuses on skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Tunnus albacares), bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga), which account for the majority of tuna stocks. The members share the same commitment and also work to build cohesion with all stakeholders in the sector.

TUPA members are joined by Earthworm France as coordinator, and a number of organisations who contribute with their valuable expertise of the tuna industry. Their role is to provide a critical view of the group's orientations and actions. Therefore, these organisations can advise, make suggestions and challenge the group's strategy. TUPA’s observers currently are Orthongel (French organisation of frozen tuna producers), the FIAC (Federation of Preserved Food Industries), the MSC France (Marine Stewardship Council), the IPNLF (International Pole & Line Foundation) and the GTA (Global Tuna Alliance).

TUPA has three main objectives:

Preserve the resource

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Fight illegal fishing

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Respect workers' rights

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Since its launch in September 2018, the Tuna Protection Alliance's ambition is organised around two major axes:

- Development of transparency and monitoring tools

- Communication, with one voice, to stakeholders in the sector

TUPA notably voices its vision of the sector and appeals towards tuna managing organizations on its LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

Activity in 2018

Transparency

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Monitoring

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Advocacy

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Technical

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Hechos

97% of members' supplies come from purse seine (net fishing), of which 14% was FAD-free (not using objects to attract fish)
Yellowfin tuna was 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 around 500 vessels supplying group members

Manifesto

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.

Further information

If you would like any more information about the Tuna Protection Alliance you can reach out the coordinators:

  • Jeanne Delor, group coordinator
  • Marie Méhu, project manager on monitoring

Please call on +33 3 20 31 63 39 or send us a message.

Noticias e historias

17 mar. 2021

Group of observing NGOs disappointed with the lack of tangible outcomes and the unwillingness of IOTC members to compromise sufficiently on…

8 jun. 2018

The future of tuna is on the line

28 ene. 2018

Sea Change - how we're working with retailers to protect the ocean