This species is subjected for several years to a strict recovery plan, derived from the recommendations of the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
In light of the changing realities of the fishery, the Ministry has approved an Order that, without affecting the established quota allocations in 2008, dictates rules to help safeguard the rights of bluefin tuna fishermen and creates mechanisms allowing the participation of artisanal fleets that catch bluefin tuna.
In this sense, one of the main innovations of the new regulation focuses on the creation of a working capital, which will never exceed five per cent of the available quota for Spain in a given year, and will cover any overruns of the quota.
In 2013, the Ministry will pay special attention to artisanal fleets who were hit hardest by the implementation of the recovery plan.
Spain has also made changes to the legal regime for transfers of quotas between different operators in the sector.
Those who give up their quota for more than two consecutive years or three times within a period of five years lose their rights in the fishery.
To read more on the changes, please click here.
