The Organization of Tuna and Fresh Fish Producers of the Island of Tenerife ( Islatuna ) has become the latest Member of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), a non-profit organization committed to the development and support of food chains. tuna supply and fisheries that responsibly fish for tuna one by one.
Islatuna was established in 2004 to represent the interests of Canarian tuna and fresh fish producers. The organization strives to generate better returns for local fishermen, increase the competitiveness of its fishery products, offer a unified and collective voice for its fishermen at national and international policy meetings, and facilitate financing through the POSEICAN funding program. Fishing of the European Commission that supports fishing in the Canary Islands.
In the last 14 years, Islatuna’s membership has grown from 20 to 77 members, incorporating a total of 81 vessels. Mainly rod and line boats, ranging from 12 to more than 20 meters. The organization also employs 33 people to fulfill its primary commitments to ensuring the highest quality products and preserving the local marine environment through the support of responsible artisanal fisheries.
While the Spanish Institute of Oceanography has only been collecting data since 1965, fishermen in the Canary Islands have been fishing for tuna for many generations using one-to-one catching methods, benefiting from the natural migratory routes of these fish.
Macu da Silva, Islatuna’s secretary, says: “We joined the IPNLF because we share the same ideology and interests; to defend artisanal tuna fishing, caught one by one as it has been for more than a century. We believe that the union between our fishers and the IPNLF will provide many direct benefits as we seek to achieve our respective goals. ”
Islatuna joins IPNLF’s growing network of value chain stakeholders from around the world working collectively to improve tuna fisheries caught one-by-one and the value they bring to the communities connected to them. Other organizations in the Canary Islands, Optuna No 42 based in Lanzarote, and in El Hierro PESCARESTINGA and the Cofradia de La Restinga were also recently announced as Members.
Martin Purves , Director General of the IPNLF, comments: “The incorporation of Islatuna and the large number of Canarian pole fishermen they represent in the IPNLF Members Network provides a significant extension of our reach in the Canary Islands. Their commitment leads to our membership to 57 partners who share the same motto: ensure that the world’s tuna fishers caught one by one and the communities they come from receive all the support they need to safeguard their future. We look forward to working with Islatuna to nurture the fishery and also to raise his voice on the international stage. ”
Pole-and-line fisher of the Islatuna association, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 2018 © IPNLF & Yaiza Dronkers Londoño