Image: BDI / FIS

The Tuna Fleet Will End 2024 Using 40% Biodegradable Materials in the Construction of Its Fishing Devices

The Spanish tuna fleet, grouped in the Organization of Associated Producers of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels (OPAGAC), plans to end 2024 with 40% biodegradable materials in the construction of the FADs (fish concentration devices[1]) that it uses in its activity. The fleet ended 2023 with this percentage at 20% and until June of this year, the proportion is already 28.5%.

Source: FCF

The fleet has made these data public during two meetings held last June in Bermeo and Santiago de Compostela, which were attended by 36 crew members from companies associated with OPAGAC and in which the results of the project “Innovative measure for construction” were presented. of DCP with biodegradable material.” In addition, the meetings have served to discuss solutions to the challenges currently posed by the objective of achieving a 100% biodegradable FAD, including the availability of bio and alternative materials, as well as the costs associated with its manufacturing processes. Likewise, the fleet analyzed the recommendations of the Regional Fisheries Organizations (RFO) on this matter.

Source: FCF -->

In relation to the difficulty of obtaining biodegradable materials, taking into account the particularities of the different geographical areas in which the fleet operates, during the meeting a series of suppliers on a global scale were identified. In fact, the fleet has already obtained new bio materials through these that have been incorporated into the manufacturing process and have replaced traditional materials.

It should be noted that, to verify the acquisition of these materials and their correct incorporation into the manufacture of these devices, the tuna fleet carries out independent audits that analyze compliance with methodologies and protocols, and monitor the manufacture and use of the FADs manufactured with biodegradable materials. To date, the fleet has carried out 39 audits in ports in the three oceans in which it operates (Atlantic, Pacific and Indian).

Finally, it should be noted that the Spanish tuna fleet leads the research and development of biodegradable FADs on a global scale, with the development of pilot projects in the three oceans, specifically, in the Indian Ocean since 2017, in the Pacific since 2019. and in the Atlantic from 2022. These projects make it possible to evaluate in real conditions of use the viability of these biodegradable FADs to concentrate tuna and analyze their drift patterns with the aim of minimizing their interaction with vulnerable marine ecosystems.

Source: FCF

[1] Fish aggregating devices are strategically designed and placed floating objects to which certain species of pelagic fish, such as tropical tuna, are added. There are two types of FAD: anchored to the bottom in generally coastal waters or drifting, which move with ocean currents. The OPAGAC fleet uses the latter.

Source: BDI / OPAGAC  (Translated from the original in Spanish)

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