EU Canneries Request Tuna Fishing Bansff

In response to a request submitted by a group of about 90 representatives of the European tuna sector from Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal, the European Commission (EC) has pledged to analyze the possibility of implementing biologic bans to tuna fishing , The general consensus over the need to implement biologic bans was one of the main conclusions arrived at by representatives of the European cannery sector, who took part in a meeting organized by the National Association of Canned Fish & Seafood Producers (ANFACO), on January 12th and 13th in Vigo, Galicia.

According to ANFACO’s Secretary General, Juan Manuel Vieites, the EC demonstrated its interest in having a “sustainable fishing activity”, taking into consideration the great importance of tuna resources, which account for around 60 per cent of the total Spanish canned products. The participants at the meeting also committed themselves to extend and strengthen initiatives aimed at fighting illegal fishing, especially in critical areas in the Indian Ocean. Instruments aimed at fighting illegal fishing practices will be implemented through regional organizations.

The EU canneries representatives gathered in Spain also indicated the need to achieve bilateral agreements with Peru, Kenya, India, and Indonesia, ruling out any possibility of reaching agreements with Sierra Leona and Liberia due to their political instability.

The European tuna sector’s next meeting is scheduled to take place in Brussels in September.