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Echebastar is the first Spanish purse seine vessel to achieve certification in the Indian Ocean in 2018. More fisheries and the two associations ANABAC and OPAGAC-AGAC have quickly followed have achieved MSC certification for their different operations in the Atlantic, Indian and eastern and western Pacific. The AGAC fishery has also reached the milestone of becoming the first tuna fishery to achieve certification for skipjack tuna in all four oceans. Finally, in 2022, JC Mackintosh, the first Spanish bluefin tuna fishery certified by MSC, has demonstrated that this emblematic species is fully recovered and fit to carry the MSC blue seal.

 

 

All of these efforts have involved a robust observer program, crew training, political influence work to improve international management at the RFMO level. In addition, a significant investment in scientific projects to strengthen the data and incorporate necessary technical improvements that minimize the impact of fisheries on the ETP species and the ecosystem.

 

 

In 2024, the total volume of Spanish tuna fisheries involved in the program will approach 400,000 tonnes. Of this figure, 396,000 tonnes are certified and around 10,000 tonnes are involved in the In-Transition to MSC programme.

 

However, the leadership of the tuna fleets is not achieving sufficient support in the Spanish market. With Spain being one of the main consumers of tuna, only 2.7% of the tuna marketed in Spain is available with a blue seal. The presence of MSC tuna in the Spanish favorite category, canned tuna, is even lower with an estimate of 1% of the total canned tuna consumed in the MSC certified country.

 

The gap between the certified catch and the labeled products available on the market can be due to multiple factors: the demand for MSC tuna in markets more mature for sustainability drives exports to northern Europe, Italy or France. Another factor is the low perceived value of this fantastic product, which generates fierce competition in the retail sector to reduce prices above other considerations. Finally, lack of commitments on the sustainability of tuna with the MSC blue seal with measurable objectives that allow progress to be measured.