ECONOMICS OF TUNA FISHERIES SUSTAINABILITY Miguel Herrera Dr

ECONOMICS OF TUNA FISHERIES SUSTAINABILITY Miguel Herrera Dr. Julio Morón OPAGAC-SPAIN

THE COSTS OF GOVERNANCE • The goal is to ensure that fisheries are sustainable (ecological & socio-economic) • Ensure good Ocean Governance does not come for free: • Research and development • Formulation of policy (national or regional organizations) • Social standards • Ecological standards • Compliance Is there a Level Playing Field for all ?

EU COMMON FISHERIES POLICY EU CFP sets the Standards: v Fleet, fishery and fishery products: Regulation of production (catch/effort controls), quality, grading, packaging and labelling v Social: Encouraging producers organisations intended to protect fishermen from sudden market changes. v Market: Setting minimum fish prices and financing buying up of unsold fish. v Market: Set rules for trade with non-EU countries (e. g. IUU Regulation)

THE EU FLEET CASE PRIVATE OPERATOR INVESTMENT EU Minimum Standards TAX PAYERS FLAG COUNTRY ADMINISTRATION MCS RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES

SOURCING THE EU MARKET FOREING SUPPLIERS EU INVESTMENTS IN NON-EU COUNTRIES EU SUPPLIERS EU FISH MARKET ACCESS RULES

GAPS IN MARKET ACCESS RULES EU purely Commercial Agreements (ACP, SGP-Plus, Mexico, etc. ) v Economic Partnership Agreements v Generalized System of Preferences v Free-Trade Agreements The EU grants comercial privileges to fish products (raw or processed) from non-EU countries: v Foreign fleets are not as regulated as EU’s (in particular social standards) v EU cannot compete with other fleets in the EU Market

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD THEN ? TOTAL RUNNIG COSTS Running costs for EU Member States are way higher than those for other countries, in particular developping countries LABOR COSTS No need to say who can sell fish at most competitive prices when trade barriers are eliminated and social standards overlooked Source: Study conducted in 2005 for Interatun (Estudios biológicos SL)

WAY AHEAD: EU BACK AT THE HELM EU shall avoid positive discrimination in fisheries (and some other areas…) Two preconditions: v Minimum ecological standards (am I buying from a sustainable fishery? ) v Minimum social standards (am I buying from a responsible fleet/processor/state? ) EU shall validate implementation of the standards by EU Members This is not the end of Certifying Brands (it rather sets up the same bar for all)