Tuna fishing in pursuit of the international blue label

The Autonomous Region of Madeira has begun the process of certifying its tuna fishery with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to obtain the prestigious ‘blue label’. This international recognition aims to affirm the sustainability of the small-scale fishing practiced in the region. The first phase of the process was funded by the PRR, with a final investment of €50,000 now required to complete the certification, which will enhance the product’s value in overseas markets.

The audit process assesses 84 parameters, divided between stock status, impact on the ecosystem and the effectiveness of the management system. According to officials, a preliminary assessment already compiled achieved scores of over 80% in most indicators. The certification is of great importance as it will enable an increase in the selling price of tuna, allowing Madeiran fish to compete with greater added value in other markets.

Whilst the focus on tuna moves forward, the Regional Government has decided not to certify black scabbardfish for the time being, justifying this by the fact that almost the entire production is absorbed by the domestic market, where the quality is already recognized and there is no international competition necessitating this investment. In the case of tuna, the fishing season, dominated by bigeye and yellowfin tuna, runs from March to September, and the certification will cover all vessels in the regional fleet.