The 2022 bluefin tuna campaign will begin on February 7 in the Canary Islands fishing ground

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has published the regulation for the bluefin tuna fishing campaign in the Canary Islands fishing ground 2022, which in a first phase will begin next Monday, February 7, and will end on June 14, and which has a total of 527.97 tons of catches.

This is stated in the resolution that the Official State Gazette (BOE) includes this Friday, which establishes the period between June 20 and December 31, 2022 as the second fishing period.

Agriculture specifies that during the first period the individual limits per vessel included in the first annex of the regulations will be applied, which includes a list of 249 cane vessels.

It explains that, during the second period, the unconsumed bluefin tuna quota of the total of 527.97 tons will be used by all vessels without individual restrictions.

It warns that, before the start of the second phase, vessels that had their special bluefin tuna fishing permit withdrawn during the first period for having exhausted their individual catch limit must reapply for the permit to continue fishing.

It adds that, when 80% of the limit assigned to each vessel or group of vessels has been reached, depending on the control mechanisms established, or when 80% of the 527.97 tons assigned has been consumed, the General Secretariat of Fisheries may close the campaign as a precautionary measure.

Although it specifies that, if after the closure of the fishery, it is verified that there is still quota available, it will be reopened with specific conditions set by common agreement with the sector that guarantee that the quota is not exceeded.