In W22 in the tuna landscape, the local tuna industry is navigating through challenging waters in Ecuador, facing various issues that impacted its exports in 2023. According to the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE), Q1 2023 saw a decline in tuna shipments to the world, amounting to USD 84.9M, a decrease of 32.8% YoY, and it is the lowest figure observed in the past six years. The president of the Association of Tuna Fisheries of Ecuador (Atunec) noted that tuna encountered difficulties in the international market. There is speculation about whether consumers are consuming less tuna or if other countries, particularly Asian nations offering cheaper alternatives, are dominating the market. Benincasa emphasized that it is a combination of factors affecting the industry. Additionally, the warming of the sea, which is often a precursor to the El Niño phenomenon, has impacted fishing volumes as fish tend to migrate due to these changing conditions.
Further, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) pushed through new regulations to restrict the use of dFADs in Indian Ocean tuna fisheries starting in January 2024. However, the agreement is teetering, with just shy of one-third of IOTC delegations withdrawing their support. Seven other countries have objected to the resolution, often for reasons that loop back to the European Union. The Bloom Association is mounting a legal challenge against the European Union's objection to the dFAD measure.