Ecuadorian tuna companies are suffering from the lower tuna catch of the first five months of the year. (Photo: SRP)

Low catches shake up tuna firms

The Ecuadorian fleet fished 44,365 tonnes of tuna in the first five months of the year, 12.4 per cent less than in same period of 2009, when 50,682 tonnes were obtained.

This reduction in landings, added to low demand in Europe, causes a decrease in the workload of tuna firms and a consequent labour instability for hundreds of sector workers.

The loss in catches affects the proprietors of 80 of the 130 vessels of the national tuna fishing fleet based in Manta.

The captain of one of the seafood boats indicated that he returned to the port of Manta with only 200 tunas (medium and small) at the close of a fishing trip of 25 days.

That catch, according to what he said, does not justify the investment of more than USD 15,000 made to set out to fish, which is why he is evaluating whether or not to remain in port until climate conditions improve.

According to published reports in El Comercio,a fishing trip requires an investment of USD 20,000 for small boats and USD 250,000 for industrial ships.

For scientific experts, the decrease in landings has been a direct consequence of the appearance of a mass of cold water in the Pacific Ocean for four months now.

On the issue, Jimmy Martinez, Ecuadorian biologist, explained that temperatures of up to 19° C are registered, where the great shoals of yellowfin tuna and Mexican skipjack tuna cannot live, with the exception of the bigeye tuna.

Martinez pointed out that the tuna look for places where there is warm water.

“This situation is cyclical and I believe that there will be abundance for 2011,” he forecasted.

For Ricardo Herrera, president of Grupo Vision - packers Tecopesca and Biliosa - the problem is world-wide.

"We are experiencing an atypical season and obtaining raw material is a problem,” he maintained.

Gustavo Nunez, proprietor of the processor Asiservi , also contends that the situation is worrisome.

At present a reduction in the demand of tuna in Europe has been registered. There, 2,000 tonnes per month were processed until last March, and now barely 1,200 tonnes.

Due to this, Nunez had to reduce manpower from 400 to 300 workers.

"We are exporting a little tuna that comes from the other side of the world, with that we will have enough until July. Later we are thinking that the workers should take their annual vacation,”" he added.

This panorama could worsen in August, when a 45-day catch ban enters into effect on the resource’s capture.

Eurofish SA suspended a shift of more than 60 potential workers, and in Pespeca - located in Montecristi - production is paralysed, El Diario reports.

“We have been working with plant personnel for a month. The later shifts have been suspended until further notice. We trust that between July and August the waters will return to their normal temperatures and thus improve fishing,” said Mauro Reyes, manager of the tuna firm Olimar SA.

Meanwhile, the four vessels of Conservas Isabel, which usually capture 1,500 tonnes of tuna each, arrived with only 500 tonnes. That volume per boat is enough for a production of some 20 days.

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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Country:	Ecuador
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