Association of Tuna Producers of the Thyrrenian Sea

ABOUT

The Associazione Produttori Tonnieri del Tirreno Soc. Coop., based in Salerno (Italy), is an Organization of Producers officially recognized by Community law since 1977, for the species Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus – Linnaeus, 1758) and – recently – also for the specie European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus – Linnaeus, 1758).

Being the Organization of Producers recognized, it receives support by the European Union for the implementation of the Common Organization of fishery and aquaculture products Market.

Member companies consists of enterprises carrying out sustainable fishing of small and large pelagic species in the Mediterranean. The companies own large fishing vessels, (purse seiner) with a crew of about 18 people, authorized to fish in all the Mediterranean sea areas.

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Activities:

The main activity of these enterprises is represented by Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries. All the companies members are authorized by INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ATLANTIC TUNAS (ICCAT) to carry out this kind of fisheries: therefore, the fishing vessels have to respect an individual quota (maximum fishable quantity), an authorized fishing period, and all the Reccomendations regarding the control and the traceability of BFT fishery.

Regarding small pelagic species, the most common catches consist of:

Sardine (Sardina pilchardus – Walbaum, 1792)
Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus – Linnaeus, 1758)
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus – Linnaeus, 1758)
Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus – Linneaus, 1758)
Little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus – Linneaus, 1758)

All the fishing vessel are equipped with up-to-date technological instruments and tools, in order to guarantee high safety standards and highly selective fishing activity, for catching only target species respecting the environment and the Common Fishing Policy.

The big size of the vessels allow to install and to operate a large variety of instruments and devices aimed to carry out research and innovation projects. In fact, member companies, have had the chance to work in collaboration with Italian research Institutes, in order to develop scientific research activities at sea.