The recently concluded Operation Island Chief (OPIC26) intercepted 16 vessels of interest, one of the highest tallies recorded in recent FFA-coordinated regional surveillance operations. The two-week operation, held from August 3 to 14, apprehended four vessels, although it remains unclear whether any were tuna boats. During the operation, 133 boats were boarded and inspected, 45 vessel contacts with high risk IUU assessments were analysed, and satellite detections were looked into. Over 3,000 tuna and other fishing boats, covering approximately 27.5 million square km of Pacific waters, were monitored closely during OPIC26.

OPIC26 was organized by FFA members including Pacific Island nations, Australia, and New Zealand, and supported by the WCPFC, SPC, Global Fishing Watch, and Hawkeye 360, among others. FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop explained that OPIC26 demonstrated the value of the Pacific Islands’ collective efforts to detect and respond to IUU fishing. “These results reflect the growing capability of our members, supported by intelligence, technology and strong partnerships, to identify activities of concern and protect our vast ocean areas.” Last year, OPIC25 identified 12 vessels of interest.

The Spanish Fisheries Ministry on Tuesday published, in its Official State Bulletin (BOE), conditions for the incidental catches of bluefin in 2026. It allowed a quota of 233.92 tons for incidental bluefin catches for over 6,000 boats. Out of this, 67.39 tons, 55.28 tons, and 47.25 tons were distributed to the Cantabrian Northwest, Mediterranean, and Gulf of Cadiz fleets, respectively. The remaining volumes were allotted to boats that have their home port in La Línea de la Concepción, Algeciras, Barbate, and Conil. The authorized fleet was permitted to catch the fish starting August 12.

Vessels that capture incidental fish target other species, but increasingly encounter bluefin because the stock has recovered. “In consideration of the great recovery experienced by the bluefin, in terms of its abundance and presence on the Spanish coast, the General Secretariat of Fisheries considers it especially important to enable the different fleet segments that have seen an increase in their interaction with this species so that they can participate in the incidental capture of it,” states the Ministry.

OPAGAC’s documentary, ‘1,17,’ which portrayed the hardships of tuna fishers, recently won an award in the ‘Communication’ category of the Spanish Fisheries Ministry-organized ‘Extraordinary Foods of Spain Award 2026.’ The jury highlighted that “the documentary offers a comprehensive and rigorous view of a little-known sector, deep-sea tuna fishing, and also provides an excellent socio-economic overview of a particularly demanding and challenging activity.” They also emphasized the technical and narrative quality of the report, with its solid script and meticulous cinematography, according to a Ministry statement.

‘1,17,’ which premiered in Madrid in 2024, showed the challenges faced by fishers by highlighting the lives of the 31-member crew that belonged to the Spanish purse seiner ‘Itsas Txori’. The documentary also aimed to promote employment opportunities on tuna vessels among the youth. The trailer can be seen at this link. The film is also available on Atresplayer, a Spanish streaming platform.