Informing viewers about the future of sustainable tuna and how Common Fisheries Policy reform will impact industry, Spanish channel TVE2 broadcast a discussion on Friday between Julio Morón, director of the Association of Large Frozen Tuna Producers (OPAGAC), and Raúl García, who’s responsible for the fisheries program at World Wildlife Fund España.
On challenges facing Spanish fishermen in light of CFP reform, Morón said, “We need to reform our boats taking into account competition from Asian, Latin American and African fleets. Our systems are cleaner, more efficient than other countries; our controls, vigilance and social efforts for employees are better than other fleets. Our prime interests are in defending our activities and maintaining our sustainable resources. International and European Union standards and controls are complicated. However, ours are the best — a good example for the rest of the world.”
García responded: “CFP is an opportunity to rectify past over-development and push for a sustainable, modern industry. Problems for fishermen include the state of resources and the fact that half of European fish stocks evaluated are over-exploited. There are so many fisheries [that] they have to look at financing and new management techniques. CFP is an important change with more participation by actors on how to apply funds, the treatment of domestic fleets, foreign vessels and market conditions.”
Morón addressed how CFP reform will affect Spain. “For us, reform is an obsession. People think we have the capacity to reform everything, but we can’t,” he said. “We won’t be pushed. People say there are too many boats, but many of our vessels are withdrawing in the face of rampant quotas, especially from our external waters.”
Referring to how canned tuna reaches our plates, Morón explained: “We distinguish between tropical, conserved, fresh and bluefin tuna from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Tropical tuna is a big catch that goes straight to the factory to the tin with just a little salt and olive oil, into retail outlets then into a salad. It’s a basic, high-demand product in Spain because it’s easy to consume and cheap. But industry costs are high because our boats travel so far.”
García responded, “Consumers want low costs, they aren’t interested in whether tuna is from the Indian or Pacific oceans. Generally, tuna stocks are in a better condition, but we mustn’t exploit what we’ve got.”
Asked why there are so many promotional campaigns for tuna, Morón described Spaniards as among “the best cooks in the world. We love wild or factory fish and they’re fundamental to our lives. The campaigns respond to consumer demand.”
García agreed, “The campaigns are good because they educate consumers on correct sizes, which species to eat during which season and the most sustainable species they should buy.”
