Madrid, 10 March 2026. — The director of Bermeo Tuna World Capital (Bermeo Tuna), Maitane Leizaola, appeared today before the Senate Fisheries Committee to present the International Declaration on Tuna Sustainability, an initiative launched by Bermeo to promote a global commitment to a more sustainable, fair and transparent tuna value chain.
During her address, Leizaola explained that the Declaration was created with the aim of mobilising institutions, companies, the scientific community and fishing regions around the world around a common framework of principles that reinforces the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the tuna sector.
“The tuna value chain now has the opportunity to become an international benchmark for sustainability if we are able to move forward together towards common rules and a more balanced global governance framework,” she said.
The director of Bermeo Tuna emphasised that the tuna sector constitutes a highly significant economic ecosystem, with an estimated global impact of 3,532 million euros and more than 47,800 jobs, which highlights its role as a driving force for the economic development of coastal regions and fishing communities.
In this context, the International Declaration on Tuna Sustainability sets out to strengthen three fundamental aspects of the sector:
– Environmental sustainability, ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems and the responsible management of resources.
– Social sustainability, promoting decent working conditions and the development of communities linked to the fishing industry.
– Economic sustainability, ensuring the sector’s viability and fair competition in international markets.
Leizaola also highlighted the challenges currently facing the tuna industry in a global context characterised by regulatory asymmetries and unequal social, labour and environmental standards, which create situations of unfair competition for operators committed to responsible production models.
For this reason, Bermeo Tuna advocates moving towards a ‘fair level playing field’ that recognises and highlights the sustainability efforts made by many companies in the sector.
During the hearing, the director also highlighted the role that Spain – and in particular the Basque tuna ecosystem – can play as an international benchmark in the sustainable transformation of the tuna value chain, thanks to cooperation between companies, public institutions, research centres and civil society.
The International Declaration forms part of a broader strategy spearheaded by Bermeo Tuna to strengthen governance in the sector, promote innovation and raise the international profile of the sustainability model developed by the tuna fishing community.
Leizaola concluded his speech by inviting the various parliamentary groups to join this international initiative, with the aim of moving towards a tuna value chain that is more sustainable, equitable and recognised by markets and society.
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