Tuna Sector Demands “To Do Everything” To Free The Alakranaff

Source: Europa Press

The tuna inter-trade organization (Interatún), that represents to the tuna fleet and the Spanish canning industry, indicated last week that the Spanish Government should carry out “all the possible efforts” to free the 36 crew members of the fishing boat ‘Alakrana’, without ruling out the payment of a possible ransom amount. 

“The life of the crew members is the most important thing”, underlined during a press conference the secretary of Interatún and president of the common tuna management Eurothon, Juan Manuel Vieites.

Vieites, who appeared before the meeting of Defense with representatives of the sector, urged the Government to design a ‘waybill’ “clear and forceful” against piracy in the Indian Ocean which could extend to other zones “like an oil spot”. 

In the sector’s opinion, the “lack of planning and forecasting”, with “failure to take action” in this matter, has lead to the situation in which the 'Alakrana' was kidnapped by Somali pirates last October.

Vieites demanded that the efforts be doubled to favor the liberation of the tuna fishermen crew, that has become even more complicated, he says, with the transfer to Spain of the two arrested Somali pirates.  "The abductors will now ask for the release of their fellow pirates and raise their demands".

After emphasizing that in the fight against piracy the preventive measures should predominate on actions 'to posteriori', asserted that the pirates consider that the ships of Spanish flag form and easy target, something that doesn’t occur with the French purse seiners which carry military on board. 

In this sense, Spain, as European power in the tuna sector should act in the same way, although it would then be necessary to modify the regulations enabling military protection onboard the vessels.  "Private security does not cover the needs; this is an exceptional matter that requires exceptional measures".

Controlling the ‘pirate-ports’

Among other preventive measures in the fight against piracy, Interatun demanded a “blockade” of the Somali ports to stop pirates from embarking. Also, the ‘Operation Atlanta’ should specify its objective to give security to the fishing vessels in the same way as it does with the merchant fleet and with the ships of the UN world food program.

In this sense, Vieites underlined the vulnerability of the fishing fleet while the nets are out, which make the vessels static for at least two hours while working.

The Indian Ocean accounts for about 50% of the tuna catches, for which the spokesman of the Spanish sector ruled out the possibility for the tuna fishermen to be transferred to other zones. This would leave the fishing grounds available for competitors such as France and would negatively affect the supply to the national canning industry, which would have a social impact.

“The problem can develop itself as an oil spot”. Recent indications of this are that the pirates are now already entering the EEZ of Seychelles, where they attacked a merchant vessel last week.

Interatun demanded that the Spanish Government shows more political will and decision-making to resolve the piracy problem, and that “not all that is needed has been done”.  “The dialogue is great, but efficient measures are needed.”