Islatuna was established in 2004 to represent the interests of Canarian tuna and fresh fish producers. The organisation strives to bring better returns to local fishers, increase the market competitiveness of its fishery products, provide a unified and collective voice for its fishers at international policy meetings, and facilitate funding through the European Commission’s POSEICAN-Pesca funding programme which supports fisheries in the Canary Islands.
Over the past 14 years, Islatuna’s membership has grown from 20 to 77 partners, incorporating a total of 81 vessels that are mainly pole-and-line boats, ranging from 12 to 20-plus metres. The organisation also employs 33 staff in order to fulfil its overriding commitments to ensuring the highest quality products and preserving the local marine environment through the support of responsible, artisanal fisheries.