Bermeo Tuna Forum: a key step towards the sustainability of tuna and the oceans

In this fundamental event for the fight for the sustainability of tuna, experts in the sector met to discuss the current challenges and seek solutions to guarantee the sustainability of the resource in the long term. As a company committed to the sustainability of the oceans, from Zunibal we collaborated in the event supporting the efforts to protect tuna and the seas.On May 2 and 3, the Bermeo Tuna Forum took place, an event organized by Bermeo Tuna World Capital that brought together experts and eminent figures from the tuna sector and which included the signing of two agreements in favor of the sustainability of tuna. The objective of the event was to discuss and reflect on the current and future challenges that the industry must face in order to find solutions and ensure long-term sustainability.

The first day of the event was held in the Euskalduna palace, and after presentations by various international experts, the signing of the International Declaration for the Sustainability of Tuna took place, which includes 15 commitments regarding sustainability in a triple dimension: offering real responsible purchase options; demand effective regulation and control of fisheries exploitation and management to prevent illegal practices; and establish the obligation to have solid traceability systems. This is an important step towards achieving UN SDG14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

At the event, speakers highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration for responsible management of tuna and the oceans. Among them, the Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Basque Government, Leandro Azkue, explained that “we must not fish more, but rather fish better” and pointed out the importance of all the actors in the tuna value chain committing to sustainability and responsible management of the resource. On the other hand, Jonan Fernandez, Secretary General for Social Transition and the 2030 Agenda, stressed the “self-responsibility” that both entities and citizens must have in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To end the first half of the day, the Director of the BTF, Helena Orella, called for the “active and responsible participation of the tuna sector, in alliance with the technological field”, since technology has also had a significant impact on the sustainability of fishing activity in recent years.

It is for all this that at Zunibal we are committed to developing innovative technologies that help guarantee the sustainability of tuna, the protection of the oceans and the reduction of accidental catches. With our track and trace solutions, we help fishing fleets to operate in a more sustainable way, reducing their impact on the marine environment, while improving the ratio of tons per nautical mile. In addition, our investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and its implementation in our devices and software, have increased the efficiency and sustainability of fishing operations.

We have also developed the triple frequency buoy with three transducers that sound simultaneously and sound the same volume, which allow the information of the different frequencies to be compared, and it is possible to determine what type of tuna is below the FAD With this state-of-the-art technology we minimize the environmental impact of tuna fishing, since they will be able to identify and select the species they wish to capture and reduce the mortality of others, preserving marine biodiversity.

In the second part of the Bermeo Tuna Forum, on May 3, the mayors and representatives of six world tuna capitals (Majuro – Marshall Islands, Manta – Ecuador, Victoria – Seychelles, Pago Pago – American Samoa, Concarneau – France and General Santos – Philippines) moved to Bermeo, where they signed the Alliance of World Tuna Cities. “We are cities that pursue the objective of contributing to the management and sustainable development of the oceans and the tuna industry throughout its value chain,” said Aritz Abaroa, mayor of the town of Bermeo. This represents a great advance in the collaboration of local governments that will guarantee the sustainability and responsible management of marine resources.

As a company committed to the sustainability of the oceans, at Zunibal we are proud to have collaborated in this event and to support all efforts in favor of sustainability, and we will continue to do so with the aim that future generations can enjoy the same marine resources. what do we have today.