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Balfegó concludes fishing season successfully
The fleet caught 3,700 tons in nine days of effective fishing. Balfegó advises the EU and the ICCAT Scientific Committee to consider the possibility of advancing the start of the next campaigns.
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Fishery
The fleet led by Balfegó has concluded its annual bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) fishing season and has harvested the allocated quotas—totaling 3,700 tons, based on the trade agreements signed this year—in nine days of effective fishing in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea. The fleet, under Balfegó's leadership, set sail on May 26. A total of thirteen European fishermen participated in the campaign, including two from Balfegó (La Frau Dos and Tio Gel Segon). The vessels transported the 18 mobile aquaculture cages from the Balearic Islands to the facilities in L’Ametlla de Mar.
As previously noted before the start of the fishing season, Balfegó observed that bluefin tuna are arriving approximately two to three weeks earlier in the Balearic Sea, directly as a result of the warming of the Mediterranean region. Therefore, the company proposes that the EU and the ICCAT Scientific Committee study the possibility of moving the start date of future seasons forward, to ensure more efficient fishing and better conditions for the species.
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B Corp
This was the second season in which Balfegó fished under the sustainable B Corp certification, which it has held since March 2024, making it the first company in the Spanish fishing sector to achieve this certification. One of the actions supporting this certification is the “Balfegó protocol,” which the company applies in its fishing operations. This protocol includes groundbreaking practices that ensure animal welfare and vessel safety. Thanks to this protocol, the Balfegó fleet, consisting of Spanish, French, and Italian vessels, once again targeted adult specimens, enabling a quick and effective fishing campaign that lasted only nine days.
B Corporation (B Corp) is a certification awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corps commit to balancing profit with purpose, striving to create a positive impact on society and the planet while operating profitably. Achieving B Corp certification involves a rigorous assessment process and ongoing monitoring to ensure the company upholds its social and environmental responsibilities. This certification demonstrates a company's dedication to sustainable practices, ethical governance, and corporate responsibility.
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PIONEER
As a pioneer in bluefin tuna fishing, where the Balfegó protocol guarantees the safety of seafarers and the welfare of the tuna during catch and transfer operations, it also helps avoid operational risks and enhances product quality. The protocol optimizes the fishing and transportation process for tuna, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the fleet’s environmental efficiency and a reduction in environmental impact. According to Juan José Navarro, Deputy Director of Balfegó, “We have successfully completed the campaign with pleasure because we were able to catch our allocated quotas in such a short time, thanks to the efforts of all crew members and vessels, as well as the abundance of tuna.” As in previous occasions, the campaign was monitored by thirteen independent observers—ICCAT members—and the catch operations and transfer of the caught tuna between basins were observed using stereoscopic cameras, which accurately determine the average weight of the catch.
