Algeria is actively pursuing compensation for past reductions in its bluefin tuna fishing quota, following the recent recovery of its historical share within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This announcement was made by Miloud Triaa, the Director-General of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
According to Triaa, the move aims to redress the damages incurred when Algeria’s quota was drastically reduced to a mere 1% of the total allocation among ICCAT member states. The restoration of the historical quota has allowed Algeria to approach 5.10% of the total share.
The decision to reinstate Algeria’s quota was reached during the 29th ordinary session of ICCAT, held in Seville, Spain, from November 17th to 24th. The session saw the ratification of a fishing quota distribution plan for the period of 2026-2028. As a result of this agreement, Algeria’s annual quota has increased from 2023 tons to 2460 tons, representing an annual increase of 437 tons.
Triaa emphasized that the successful quota recovery was the result of extensive preparations by the Algerian delegation, who compiled a comprehensive technical file months in advance of the session. The file highlighted Algeria’s historical fishing status, a key factor in determining national quotas. He also noted that Algeria meets all the required technical standards, including the capabilities of its specialized fishing fleet, which comprises 40 high-capacity vessels, some of which are locally manufactured. This fleet demonstrated its effectiveness during the 2024 season, successfully catching the entire allocated quota.
Furthermore, after difficult consultations, Algeria secured the inclusion of a clause in the new plan’s final recommendation, ensuring that its case will be reviewed during the next assessment in 2028. This review aims to compensate for the losses suffered since the 17th session in 2010, when the Algerian delegation was absent, leading to the reduction of its quota to 1%.
The Director-General also addressed the issue of monitoring, highlighting Algeria’s crucial role in overseeing fishing activities and enforcing measures to protect bluefin tuna. He added that the sector is striving to achieve greater added value by launching a tuna fattening experiment during the upcoming fishing season, which will be conducted for the first time at a model farm in the region.
