Hoy celebramos el Día Mundial del Atún, una ocasión para reflexionar sobre la importancia de este pez en nuestras vidas y ecosistemas marinos. La pesca responsable es esencial para proteger y conservar las poblaciones de atún, aplicando ciencia, ordenamiento y medidas de conservación que aseguren su regeneración y preservación. Para lograr esto, es vital establecer límites de captura, implementar técnicas para reducir capturas incidentales de especies vulnerables, minimizar la contaminación y combatir la pesca ilegal. Tunacons ha adoptado diversas acciones sostenibles, incluyendo la certificación de las tres especies de atún con el sello de pesca responsable del Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), el seguimiento al Plan Nacional de la Pesca Industrial del Atún en Ecuador y cooperación en el Océano Pacífico Oriental para fortalecer evaluaciones y medidas de conservación, el desarrollo de tecnología con material biodegradable para minimizar la contaminación por plásticos, como el prototipo de plantado EcoFAD, y la capacitación a capitanes y tripulantes en buenas prácticas y recolección de basura submarina y costera en las Islas Galápagos. Adoptar la pesca sostenible protege las poblaciones de atunes, garantiza la soberanía alimentaria y fortalece nuestra balanza comercial. Hacemos un llamado a gobiernos, industria pesquera, consumidores y sociedad civil para unirnos en promover la pesca sostenible. Juntos, podemos marcar la diferencia y garantizar un futuro próspero para el atún y para todos nosotros. Porque en Tunacons, colaboramos juntos por un ecosistema marino sano.
Today is World Tuna Day, a time to reflect on the significance of this amazing fish in our lives and marine ecosystems. Responsible fishing is key to protecting and maintaining their numbers. This means applying science, management, and conservation methods to ensure a healthy population that is not overfished, ensuring its renewal and the preservation of the marine ecosystem. We need to set catch limits, implement techniques and technologies to lessen bycatch of vulnerable species, decrease pollution, and fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Tunacons has various green initiatives ongoing to address these issues, such as certifying the first seine fishery of the three tuna species with the world’s most revered responsible fishing certificate, the Marine Stewardship Council. We are involved in the National Plan for Industrial Tuna Fishing in Ecuador, and regional technical cooperation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean to strengthen population assessments and conservation measures at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). We also focus on developing technology with biodegradable material to minimize plastic pollution, such as our EcoFAD planting prototype. Additionally, we provide constant training for captains and crew members on good onboard practices for the management and release of vulnerable accompanying fauna, conduct research on post-release survival of sharks, and implement onboard observers in 100% of our fleet. We also organize the collection of underwater and coastal trash in the Galápagos Islands, among many other actions that you can find at tunacons.org.
By adopting sustainable fishing practices, we not only protect tuna populations but also ensure food sovereignty and strengthen our balance of trade with exports. We call to action all stakeholders—governments, the fishing industry, consumers, and civil society—to unite in a single effort to promote sustainable fisheries. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a prosperous future for tuna and for all of us. At Tunacons, we collaborate for a healthy marine ecosystem.