On-the-Ground Update

EU Quota for Bluefin and White tuna has been introduced to the European Union

Marina Benino
Published Mar 28, 2022
Years of overfishing and mismanagement threaten the survival of different fish species, such as Bluefin and white tuna. The EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) allocates a catch quota (TAC) to determine the volume of fish from each species allowed to the EU country’s fleet to protect their reproduction.

This decision has created turmoil amongst fishers who fear ever-increasing competition from extra EU countries in the tuna trade. At the beginning of April, the new TAC will be set and assigned to each state, and despite requests from political parties, the additional volume will not be given.

Last year, Italy’s shared quota was 4.756,49 MT and predictions for this year are not promising. Coupled with the rise in fuel prices, Italian fishers are gradually abandoning the industry, which will probably lead to a surge in imports from non-EU countries and a barrier to entry for young fishers. Consequently, a deep-rooted Italian artisanal practice could sadly risk extinction.
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