Declaration of the Azores in Support of Pole-and-line Tuna Fishing submitted to the European Commission
The Regional Director for Fisheries restated in Marrakesh the Azores' goal towards the international recognition of the "environmental, social and economic characteristics of pole-and-line fishing practices."
Under the 25th meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), taking place in Morocco, the Azores submitted the Declaration in Support of Pole-and-line Tuna Fishing to the European Commission.
Luís Rodrigues pointed out the goal of achieving a "holistic way" in the management of tuna fishing, which will "safeguard the fishing communities that depend on these fisheries."
According to him, "the exploitation rates of some tuna species are unsustainable," adding that this situation "could pose risks to many fishing communities."
"The aim is to call the attention of ICCAT as well as of the largest possible number of countries and institutions responsible for managing tuna fisheries for the need to ensure sustainable fishing practices," said Luís Rodrigues.
This meeting of ICCAT, running until November 24, is being attended by more than seventy countries. The Azores are represented by the Regional for Fisheries, the researcher of the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries at the University of the Azores, João Gil, the President of the Azores Fisheries Federation, Gualberto Rita, and the Secretary-General of the Association of Tuna Producers and Similar Species (APASA), Pedro Capela.
The Declaration of the Azores in Support to Pole-and-line Tuna Fishing was issued following the first international conference for the defence of pole-and-line fishing practices that took place on Faial Island in October. It consists of a code of conduct for tuna fisheries, having been signed by 16 countries and more than 100 institutions in the fishing sector.