The Spanish tuna fleet advocates for the social aspect after achieving good environmental sustainability

The Spanish tuna fleet, represented by OPAGAC, is calling for European action against illegal and unsustainable fishing practices, and labor abuses in the tuna industry. The issue was highlighted during the V National Tuna Congress, where concerns were raised about the environmental sustainability and decent working conditions being disregarded by other fleets. These practices are making their products cheaper, potentially undercutting European standards. As a result, European imports of tuna from Southeast Asian and Chinese fleets, which are exempt from tariffs, have surged to over 50% of total imports. OPAGAC advocates for the enforcement of international labor laws on imports and emphasizes the importance of social sustainability, which accounts for about 20% of operational costs. They contrast the high standards of their fleet with the opacity and cost advantages of other fleets, and have obtained the AENOR Responsible Tuna Fishing certificate to assure distributors and consumers of their commitment to best practices.