Once again, Ecuador was recognized for its work to promote and maintain sustainable fishing, within the framework of the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and at the same time consolidated export of aquaculture and fishery products to the American market.

Ecuadorian fishing, “in the final stretch” to return to the green card with the European Union

After the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced that Ecuador has met the requirements to issue an annual renewal of the affirmative finding, under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). ), regarding the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), after the documentation provided by the national government was reviewed together with related information obtained from the Inter-American Commission on Tropical Tunas (CIAT).

This affirmative finding will allow the continued export to the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products caught by purse seine vessels operating under the jurisdiction of Ecuador in the ETP. “Thank you for your continued commitment to the conservation of marine mammal and tuna resources in the ETP,” NMFS said in a document issued to the Deputy Ministry of Aquaculture and the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries.

From January to April, Ecuador exported $110 million worth of tuna and fish to the US market, according to data from the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor). This represents a decline of 26% in volume and 32% in currency compared to the same period in 2022.

In less than four years, Ecuador went from being an “uncooperative and punished” country to chairing the most important international agreement against illegal fishing.

For his part, the Deputy Minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Andrés Arens, stated that this type of recognition is important for the country, as it confirms that Ecuador is on the right track, contributing to the maintenance of sustainable fisheries.

It should be noted that this annual renewal of the affirmative designation became effective on April 1, 2023 and will last until March 31, 2024.