The Azores Declaration in support of one-by-one tuna fisheries was issued at the world’s first international one-by-one tuna fisheries conference.
Supporters at the conference, held on Faial in the Azores, Portugal, called for action on sustainable and equitable tuna fisheries and addressing the needs of one-by-one tuna fisheries; using its collective voice to raise the profile of these fisheries with relevant decision makers, throughout supply chains, and to consumers to ensure these fisheries can thrive for generations to come; and taking action to support the one-by-one tuna fisheries and the associated communities and marine environments linked to them.
Luís Rodrigues, regional director of fisheries for the Government of the Azores, said: “Moving forward, the signatories to The Azores Declaration have made a firm commitment to support these small-scale, selective and sustainable fisheries and the coastal communities that have long depended upon them for jobs, nutrition and their culture.”
Six key principles
The Declaration calls for six key principles to be supported throughout all one-by-one tuna fishery supply chains.
These include sustainability to be approached in a holistic manner that acknowledges the environmental, social and economic characteristics of fisheries and the people involved; the socio-cultural heritage of one-by-one tuna fisheries to be respected and supported; and the economic, social and cultural rights of women to be addressed, strengthened and protected to enable them to participate fully in, and benefit from one-by-one tuna fisheries.
The other principles proposed are for one-by-one tuna fisheries to have a valid stake in the resources that is valued and protected; one-by-one tuna fisheries to have their position represented and reflected in fisheries management at all levels; and one-by-one tuna fisheries to have a valid place in the global marketplace and their participation encouraged and not discriminated against or presented with barriers to market.
The conference was hosted by the Government of the Azores’ Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology and the International Pole & Line Foundation.
