How do you feel after the European decision to end the Atlanic tuna fishing season early?
Généreux Avallone — Today I can’t take it anymore. I am exhausted.
This decision seems to surprise you? But European authorities state that European countries have reached their quotas…
G.A. — The situation is quite simple. The French quota for tuna fishing vessels in the Mediterranean is set at 1699 metric tons. There are 17 French tuna seiners in the Mediterranean. As we speak a little over 1500 tons of tuna have been caught. There are still 200 tons to catch between the 17 boats. Which does not make a lot per boat. The 10 French tuna seiner which have been working off the Balearics have all made their quota. The seven working in Malta, including us, should be allowed to catch those 200 tons.
How much have you caught? How much until your make your quota?
G.A. — For us, the three Avallone vessels, we’re still 100 tons short of the 440 we are allowed to catch. If we don’t fish, it will be a disaster for the 40 families we have to support. The weather forecast is bad for the three coming days, we are stuck in La Valette again. We have studied the forecast, we have about two fishing days until June 14, midnight. It is certain that if Europe allows us to work (which it should) we’ll try. If we don’t work, we’ll make no money.
Do you thing this early ending of the season could push some to fish illegally?
G.A. — Journalists should stop. If European authorities end the season, of course we will stop working! We are not going to go against a European decision. It is serious. Anyway, how do you want us to sell fish caught illegally? Don’t forget that we have ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna) inspectors on board, other inspectors are present on the military ships patrolling the fishing zones…
If Europe allows you, couldn’t you go and work in the Balearics where the weather is nicer?
G.A. — In retrospect, one can say that we have made a wrong geographical choice. But we could not know. How were we to guess? In Malta the weather conditions have been awful from the opening day on May 15. Between January and February each ship owner agrees on a price with a fish farmer. The tuna fishermen then work for a farmer chosen in advance. The catches made in the the Balearics are tugged to Spanish fish farms. The catches made in Malta are towed to Maltese fish farms. This year we are in Malta because we’re working for a Malta-based farmer. Even if the weather forced us to go fish in the Balearics we would not be able to because of the tugging following our seining. To keep the tuna alive, the vessel travels at a maximum speed of 2 to 3 knots (5.5 kph). Faster speeds cause to much stress and the fish die. It is just unthinkable to take fish caught in the Balearics to Malta — or conversely.
Julien Pfyffer and Océan 71
Telephone interview realized on June 10, 2010, 12h00
