ASSOCIAÇÃO DE PRODUTORES DE ATUM E SIMILARES DOS AÇORES (APASA) is a 31-year-old fisheries association, which has been a producer organisation for over 10 years. APASA represents the pole-and-line tuna vessels in Azores with the goal to make the fisheries more sustainable, responsible and profitable. The typical pole-and-line vessels employ between 17 and 19 crew members, and offload catches for local consumption, local canneries, and fresh export.