Manta pole and line tuna fishers ©Gustavo Crespo/Conservation International Ecuador

19 August, Manta - A group of artisanal fishers saw years of effort crowned with success when the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries and Conservation International Ecuador (CI-Ecuador) delivered a Fair Trade Certification to the Asociación Cañeros de Manta (Manta Pole & Line Fishing Association) in an event in the city of Manta, Ecuador.

This fishery is the first in Ecuador to receive an international fair trade certification. Its members obtained it thanks to a rigorous process that began in 2008 with the technical support of CI-Ecuador and the support of fishing authorities.

Through the Fair Trade Certification, the consumer is guaranteed a product that complies with social, economic and environmental standards, characterising it as a sustainable and commercially responsible fishery.

Safeguarding biodiversity while improving living conditions

The event was attended by Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries Minister Julio José Prado, Aquaculture and Fisheries Vice Minister Andrés Arens, Undersecretary of Aquaculture and Undersecretary in charge of Fisheries Resources Axel Vedani, and CI-Ecuador Vice President and Executive Director Luis Suárez.

Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries Minister Julio José Prado, Aquaculture and Fisheries Vice Minister Andrés Arens, Undersecretary in charge of Fisheries Resources Axel Vedani and CI-Ecuador Vice President Luis Suárez deliver the Fair Trade Certification to Manta Pole & Line Fishing Association President Augusto López.

Minister Prado highlighted the importance of the joint work between the government, the private sector and civil society in the achievement of this milestone. "The certification will allow this sector to strengthen its practices and improve its living conditions," he said.

"The tuna pole and line fishery is an example of sustainable and responsible artisanal fishing. To achieve this certification, an essential role was played by the technical and financial support of the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI), a project financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by CI-Ecuador in close collaboration with fisheries and environment authorities," commented Mr Suárez from CI-Ecuador.

"This recognition guarantees consumers a certified and responsible product that cares for marine biodiversity, dignifies the artisanal fishing activity and improves the sector's living conditions,” he added.

Thanks to this certification, Ecuador is complying with its international commitments to sustainable production and catch traceability and transparency. In addition, the certification opens up new opportunities for the commercialisation of pole and line-caught tuna, promoting the value of Ecuadorian fishing products in international markets.

For more information contact:
Belén Vallejo
Communications Manager, CI-Ecuador
[email protected]