This certification has a positive impact at the fishery and consumer level,

First Spanish-French certification of sustainable fishing in the Bay of Biscay by the Marine Stewardship Council

FRANCE
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 00:00 (GMT + 9)

Madrid – Members of the Association of Fishermen of Aquitaine have joined the artisanal fishery for albacore tuna in the North Atlantic, certified under the Marine Stewardship Council Standard, MSC, since June 2016*, following an exhaustive evaluation process, in order to be recognized for the sustainability of their fishing practices that respect the environment and its resources. This fishery uses rod and trolling to catch albacore tuna and lands in Capbreton, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, Lège Cap Ferret, Baionne and Mimizan (France), as well as in Pasaia (Spain). Most of the fish is sold in the fish markets of Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Ciboure, Pasaia and Arcachon

The artisanal fishery for Atlantic albacore tuna (White tuna, Northern bonito or Albacore. Scientific name: Thunnus alalunga north) is dedicated to fishing for albacore tuna in the Bay of Biscay and in the adjacent waters of the North Atlantic, and is represented by the Cantabrian fishing organisations associated with OPESCANTABRICO, OPEGUI, OPESCAYA and OPACAN. In total, it employs 42 pole-and-line tuna vessels and 87 trolling vessels. Its fleet practices fishing that is respectful of the environment, preserves fish stocks and minimises incidental catches, thus contributing to the sustainability of resources.

The Aquitaine fleet is made up of 51 vessels under the French flag and uses two types of fishing gear: 4 vessels use live bait rods (12 to 24 metres in length) and 47 vessels that troll (8 to 15 metres). This The fishery is dedicated to tuna fishing during the summer season and operates mainly in the French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Bay of Biscay.

Bureau Veritas was the entity in charge of the evaluation under the MSC Fisheries Standard, certifying:

The Aquitaine albacore tuna fishery is actively committed to improving its fishing practices to ensure its long-term sustainability. In order to be included in the Spanish fishery's certificate, the French fishery has received a single condition, which is to apply specific management objectives from 2024, aimed at improving the level of information regarding interactions with by-product species and PAPs.

This certification has a positive impact at the fishery and consumer level, since the MSC certification guarantees the commitment of fishermen to follow sustainable and responsible practices.

Therefore, by joining the MSC certificate of the Spanish fishery, the Aquitaine Fishermen's Association also acquires significant importance at the European level.

David Milly, director of the Aquitaine Fishermen's Association: "This certification is the first recognition of our constant efforts to ensure sustainable fishing. We are proud of this collaboration with our Spanish colleagues and of this commitment to the future of tuna fishing in Aquitaine."

Caroline Gamblin, Head of Fisheries at MSC France: “The certification of this Franco-Spanish fishery is an admirable example of international collaboration in favour of sustainability. It illustrates how fishermen can work together to protect marine resources in a process of continuous improvement. Welcome and congratulations!”

Miren Garmendia, director of OPEGUI: “Albacore tuna knows no boundaries and French and Spanish fishermen in the Bay of Biscay are also overcoming them. We have been working together for some time for sustainable management of the fisheries that we share. The incorporation of our French colleagues in the MSC certification of this very important fishery is a sign of rejection, in defence of the future of this fishery that undoubtedly depends on sustainable management by all the agents that interact in it.”

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print