Global: Some 80 countries are negotiating Atlantic tuna fishing in Cyprus

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), comprising representatives from 80 countries, including the European Commission, is holding an assembly in Limassol, Cyprus, to negotiate the catch of tuna and related species. The discussion will primarily focus on tropical tuna, with secondary considerations given to swordfish and blue shark. The Spanish government is advocating for the maintenance of the current bigeye tuna quota, challenging a 72-day ban aimed at aiding its recovery. The EU is pitted against Japan and other countries in a debate over quotas, while Latin American and African nations are advocating for fair distribution. The assembly is also addressing issues such as electronic monitoring, labour standards, and the prevention of illegal fishing.

Representatives from some 80 countries are holding an assembly of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) from Monday to the 18th in Limassol (Cyprus), to negotiate the catch of tuna and species of interest to the Spanish fleet. The Iccat negotiation will focus, above all, on tropical tuna (those intended for canning), although the Atlantic coastal countries will also discuss swordfish and blue shark. The 52 members of the organisation will participate, including the European Commission (EU) negotiating on behalf of the 27 community countries. Iccat, an organisation known in the fishing sector for its measures to recover the Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna, will not negotiate the quotas for this species this year, because they are set until 2025. In general, tuna stocks in the fishing grounds are in a better situation, according to what the managing director of the Organisation of Associated Producers of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels ...