Preserve the resource

Recommendations following TUPA’s Manifesto:

• Prioritize a supply from non-overexploited stocks and, in the case of overexploited stocks, proceed to a volume reduction plan.
• The evolution of the stocks will be taken into account in the application of this commitment.
• We may consider sourcing from stocks that are currently overexploited, provided that a management plan following the recommendations of the RFMO Scientific Committees is put in place, or that the stock under consideration is engaged in a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP).
• Curb the use of the most impactful fishing methods by putting in place plans to reduce supplies from Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), by diversifying fishing techniques (pole and line fishing, free school fishing); and in the case of using FADs, by requiring that they are non-entangling.
• Supply from suppliers who themselves ensure that their supplies come from fleets implementing best practices, particularly in terms of traceability of fishing methods, fight against illegal fishing and bycatch, the presence of observers on board, and respect of working conditions.

Fight illegal fishing

In order to fight against illegal fishing, we will ensure that the boats we supply from:

• are not on an official RFMO blacklist;
• are registered with their RFMO with a unique IMO number when their dimensions allow for it;
• do not carry out transshipments, or, if they are authorized, they must be documented.

Respect workers' rights

Likewise, TUPA demands that the working conditions of the whole sector satisfy at minimum the fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization.

Transparency

After the 2020 mapping exercise of all tuna vessels supplying the TUPA, 2021 will be the opportunity to investigate the FAD-free guarantees.

Monitoring

In parallel, in 2020 we conducted a study regarding social issues in the fishing sector. The report ended on several existing solutions to fight social abuses; solutions we would like to study for in-depth analysis and a potential monitoring project.

Advocacy

Actions: the TUPA will continue to participate in the NGOTunaForum. This coalition brings together more than 30 NGOs and other individuals and organizations that work comprehensively on global tuna sustainability issues. With the help of this network, the group identified the main asks for all the tuna RFMOs (Regional fisheries management organisations). The priority subjects are gathered around 3 pillars: good stocks management and ecosystems; transparency; information, and data sharing. As a representative of the French market’s voice, the TUPA is part of the Market Activation Working Group.

Also, the TUPA aims at reinforcing its RFMO advocacy, through the participation in RFMO sessions, LDAC meetings, direct exchanges with relevant delegations, and communication on social media (Linkedin and Twitter). Last year, the TUPA conducted more than 10 advocacy actions, in partnership with the Global Tuna Alliance, an independent group of UK retailers and supply-chain companies. 2021 promises to be an even more active year in terms of advocacy!

Technical

Support: several internal thematic webinars will be organised with relevant stakeholders: the thematics studied will focus on the FADs, the Cape Town Agreement, the IPNLF’s new tools, and the Fairtrade certification. Several synthetic studies will be conducted as well, regarding issues related to each fishing technique, the solutions to lost FADs, and the research on farmed/ fattened tuna.

The TUPA pays attention to report to its members the important news and alerts. A newsletter is shared every month and the TUPA keeps discussing with stakeholders linked to the tuna sector.