The Global Tuna Industry Highlights Sustainability and Innovation as Keys to the Future

SPAIN
Monday, September 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The XII ANFACO WORLD TUNA CONFERENCE, held in Vigo, concludes with a unanimous declaration from the global sector, underscoring the importance of fishing sustainability, digital transformation, and a focus on the consumer to face the challenges of a constantly evolving market.

Vigo - Representatives of the global tuna industry, gathered on September 11 and 12, 2025, at the XII ANFACO WORLD TUNA CONFERENCE, have issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to a model of global cooperation. The sector highlighted that an increasing proportion of global tuna catches come from sustainably managed stocks, a significant advance driven by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and private initiatives.

The global tuna industry is convinced that effective management is fundamental for the long-term health of tuna stocks. Although there are challenges in some species and oceanic regions, the tuna stock is being managed effectively on a global level.

Science Supports Tuna as a "Superfood"

During the conference, the presentation by Dr. Nick Ralston provided a valuable scientific perspective, qualifying traditional conceptions about the risks of fish consumption and mercury exposure. Based on evidence, the fundamental role of selenium as a modulator of mercury toxicity was highlighted. In this regard, it was stressed that fish offers important health benefits thanks to its content of selenium, Omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamins B and D

By extension, the industry considers that canned tuna can also be viewed as a superfood, given its nutritional profile, making it an accessible, healthy, and sustainable option for a balanced diet. The sector recognizes the need to improve communication about these benefits to connect with the consumer

Digitalization and Social Responsibility

Digitalization is presented as a key opportunity to improve global monitoring and control mechanisms and to eradicate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Digital transformation is no longer an option but a key pillar of competitiveness in the sector, with real-time data analysis, connectivity, and the growing use of artificial intelligence redefining processes from capture to traceability.

The tuna industry also reaffirms its commitment to the protection of human rights and fair labor conditions throughout its supply chain. The sector welcomes the implementation of the European Union Forced Labour Regulation, which will come into force in December 2027, as an opportunity. This approach is complemented by the valorization of tuna by-products to move towards a circular model, with applications in functional foods, animal nutrition, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry.

The declaration concludes that the solid foundations of a sector with history, combined with a commitment to innovation and technology, are key tools to face present challenges and grow sustainably

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