Photo: Stockfile/FIS

Dakartuna Begins Full Assessment Process for Marine Stewardship Council Fisheries Standard

SPAIN
Friday, January 24, 2025, 21:00 (GMT + 9)

First European Pole-and-Line Tropical Tuna Fishery to Undergo Full Assessment and First Bigeye Tuna Fishery in the Atlantic to Be Evaluated

Madrid – The non-profit organization Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) announces that the Pole-and-Line Tuna Association (Dakartuna) has initiated the full assessment process to certify its catches of all tropical tunas (skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye) in West Africa's Atlantic waters under the MSC Fisheries Standard.

The MSC Fisheries Standard, widely recognized as the world’s most rigorous and credible sustainability evaluation process for wild fishing, certifies sustainable and well-managed fisheries. It is based on three fundamental principles: healthy fish populations, minimizing environmental impacts on marine ecosystems, and an effective fisheries management system. Dakartuna’s audit will be carried out by the independent certifier Kiwa Spain, following these three principles.

If the assessment is successfully completed, skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the Eastern Atlantic, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) caught by Dakartuna using the pole-and-line method could bear the MSC's Blue Label, a symbol of sustainable fishing.

Key strengths of this fishery for achieving certification under the MSC Fisheries Standard include the following points: both skipjack and yellowfin populations are currently in good condition; the modeling methods used to assess the status of the three target populations are robust and precise; and tuna fisheries are managed through ICCAT, ensuring that all elements of fisheries management are considered. Finally, Spain and France are reporting data appropriately, with no breaches in the RFMOs' reporting requirements.

The fishery comprises four pole-and-line vessels based in Dakar (Senegal), three under the Spanish flag and one under the French flag. The vessels are the Iribar Zulaika, Berriz San Francisco, Pilar Torre, and Corona del Mar. Their fishing area covers the West African Atlantic Ocean, specifically FAO area 34.

“Dakartuna stands out for its commitment to sustainable fishing, promoting Marine Stewardship Council certification, which guarantees responsible practices and the conservation of marine ecosystems.”

—Miguel Ángel Solana Torre, President of Dakartuna

"Dakartuna's decision to initiate the full assessment process demonstrates remarkable leadership among European pole-and-line fleets. This process is aimed at achieving the highest recognition for sustainable fishing. We are confident that MSC certification would add significant value to this pole-and-line fleet in the markets, opening new and exciting business opportunities while transparently highlighting its responsible fishing practices. From MSC, we wish them the best of luck in this audit process and hope it will be successfully completed".

—Alberto Martín, Director of MSC Spain and Portugal

About the Certifier

The assessment will be conducted by the independent certifier Kiwa Spain. The team will evaluate the fishery based on the three principles of the MSC Environmental Standard, examining the health of the fish stocks targeted, the fishery’s impact on the marine ecosystem, and the effectiveness of its fisheries management practices.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print