Tunacons - The Tuna Conservation Foundation For Sustainable Tuna Fishing

What Tunacons - The Tuna Conservation Foundation For Sustainable Tuna Fishing does

TUNACONS (Fundación TUNACONS) is a non-profit conservation foundation established in 2016 and headquartered in Ecuador, operating as a coalition of 11 industrial tuna fishing companies (NIRSA, JADRAN, SERVIGRUP, EUROFISH, TRI MARINE, MANACRIPEX, MARBELIZE, PACIFICTUNA, IDELMAR, TUNAQUICK, TUNALAND). The foundation's core mission is to advance science-based sustainable management of tropical tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where Ecuador operates 115 purse seine vessels and approximately 300,000 tonnes of annual catch. TUNACONS runs a portfolio of programs including a Fishery Improvement Project supporting Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification (achieved 100% across yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye tuna between 2022 and 2025), a 100%-coverage on-board human observer program collaborating with IATTC scientific staff, an EcoFAD line of biodegradable fish aggregating devices made from plant-based materials (guadua cane, balsa wood, abacá, natural fibers) certified by Bureau Veritas under ISO 14021, the Cuidando Galápagos FAD recovery initiative (89% recovery rate, 2022-May 2025), a fishing net recycling program with Bureo (100+ tonnes recycled), and a participatory digital platform MaresLimpios.ec.

The organization is funded through recurring member company contributions and project-specific grants, including support from WWF Ecuador (a founding partner since 2015), the FAO-IMO OceanLitter Programme (Strategic Partner since 2026), the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production, ISSF, and IATTC. TUNACONS does not sell products or services to end customers; instead, its impact is delivered through member company supply chains carrying MSC-certified tuna into European, North American, and Asian markets. The foundation's go-to-market centers on multi-stakeholder convening — industry, government, scientists, conservation NGOs, and artisanal fishing cooperatives (FENACOPEC, CORPAG) — to build collective sustainability outcomes and regulatory credibility.

Name

Tunacons - The Tuna Conservation Foundation For Sustainable Tuna Fishing

Legal name

Fundación TUNACONS

Website

https://tunacons.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TUNACONS is a non-profit foundation established in 2016 in Ecuador that unites 11 industrial tuna companies to advance sustainable tropical tuna fisheries through MSC certification, 100% observer coverage, EcoFAD biodegradable technology, and Galápagos conservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Fisheries Management

NAICS

Finfish Fishing (114111), Fishing (11411)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP) (AFALAMAL)

Keywords

• Tuna fisheries management
• Marine sustainability certification
• Fishing observer programs
• Biodegradable FAD technology
• Fishery conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Guayaquil

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Company Contributions: TUNACONS operates as a membership-based foundation sustained by financial contributions from member tuna fishing and processing companies (NIRSA, JADRAN, SERVIGRUP, EUROFISH, TRI MARINE, MANACRIPEX, MARBELIZE, PACIFICTUNA, IDELMAR, TUNAQUICK, TUNALAND). Members fund the foundation's programs including MSC certification, observer programs, EcoFAD development, and environmental initiatives.
2. Project Grants and Development Funding: TUNACONS receives funding support for specific environmental programs such as the Cuidando Galápagos FAD recovery initiative and circular economy projects, often co-funded by member shipowners and administered by the foundation. Additional support comes through partnerships with international organizations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TUNACONS is a non-profit tuna conservation foundation that operates as a coalition of 11 industrial tuna fishing companies in Ecuador. It advances sustainable tropical tuna fisheries through Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification support, 100% onboard human observer programs, the proprietary EcoFAD biodegradable Fish Aggregating Device program, the Cuidando Galápagos marine conservation initiative, FAD recovery operations, and circular economy programs for fishing net recycling.

Product overview

TUNACONS is a conservation foundation that operates as a unified platform of interconnected programs rather than a traditional software product. Its core offerings include EcoFADs (biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices), MSC Certification Support for tuna fisheries, the On-Board Human Observer Program, and the Cuidando Galápagos initiative. These programs work together to advance sustainable tuna fishing through certification, monitoring, FAD management, and circular economy actions. The foundation also operates the FAD Recovery Program, Good Practices On Board training, Fishing Net Recycling, Pescando Plásticos, Shark Tagging research, and the MaresLimpios.ec digital platform for marine conservation coordination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EcoFADs: Biodegradable fish aggregating devices made from plant-based materials (guadua cane, balsa wood, abacá ropes, bamboo) as an alternative to conventional plastic-component FADs
• Cuidando Galápagos
• Pescando Plásticos

Products and services

• EcoFADs (Biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices) Plant-based, biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices made from guadua cane, balsa wood, abacá ropes, bamboo, and natural fibers that replace conventional plastic-component FADs to reduce marine pollution and entanglement risks. Distributed to member tuna fishing vessels in the Eastern Pacific.
• MSC Certification Support Program (Fishery Improvement Project) A Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) that helps tuna fishing companies achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certification. Provides technical support, best practices, and a coordinated framework covering data collection, stock assessments, and supply chain documentation for member companies.
• On-Board Human Observer Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of certified fleet catches meet Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard across yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye tuna
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bureau Veritas EcuadorcoreTechnology or Integration · 20 February 2026Bureau Veritas Ecuador conducted the technical evaluation process for TUNACONS EcoFAD materials, granting an Environmental Declaration per ISO 14021 and IATTC Resolution C-23-04 compliance questionnaire, certifying that FADs are made exclusively from plant-based, biodegradable, and non-entangling materials.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – OceanLitter ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026TUNACONS was formally accepted as a Strategic Partner of the OceanLitter Programme, a global initiative to prevent and reduce marine plastic pollution from maritime and fisheries sources. The partnership strengthens alignment between national initiatives and international regulatory frameworks, promoting responsible fishing gear management.
• CORPAG (Corporación de Pescadores Artesanales de Galápagos)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026CORPAG represents Galápagos artisanal fishers who serve as FAD retrievers in the Cuidando Galápagos program. Approximately 85 artisanal fishers participate in recovery operations, coordinated through local CORPAG island coordinators. CORPAG fishers also presented a recognition to TUNACONS for technical support and capacity building.
• FENACOPEC / Puerto La Cruz CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2024TUNACONS collaborated with FENACOPEC on a mangrove conservation and community development initiative in Puerto La Cruz, Gulf of Guayaquil, including inauguration of a primary school for 100 children funded through combined support of private companies, foundations, and authorities.
• ISSF (International Seafood Sustainability Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2024ISSF co-organized the first international workshop on FAD recovery methods with TUNACONS and WWF in Galápagos, bringing together scientists, government representatives, fishing fleet technicians, and NGOs from different oceans to exchange experiences and generate alternatives for recovering lost FADs.
• Charles Darwin FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2024The Charles Darwin Foundation in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz hosted the first international FAD recovery workshop co-organized by TUNACONS, ISSF, and WWF. The foundation provides scientific expertise and local knowledge for marine conservation in the Galápagos archipelago.
• IATTC (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024TUNACONS maintains ongoing technical cooperation with IATTC scientific staff for tuna stock assessments and has implemented a voluntary observer program for vessels smaller than class 6. IATTC Director Arnulfo Franco attended TUNACONS' 10-year anniversary event in person, providing a regional outlook on tuna stock status.
• Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries of EcuadorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024The Ecuadorian Ministry is a key government partner cooperating with TUNACONS since 2015 on the FIP, National Tuna Fisheries Plan, FAD Management Plan, and broader sustainable fisheries governance in Ecuador, the world's second-largest tuna producer.
• Bureo (NetPlus Ecuador S.A.S.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2022Bureo operates the NetPositiva/Redes de América program in Ecuador to collect, clean, classify, and recycle disused fishing nets into pellets for use in manufacturing consumer products. TUNACONS member companies have delivered over 100 tonnes of nets for recycling. Bureo is registered in Ecuador as NetPlus Ecuador S.A.S. in Manta.
• Alpescas (Alianza Latinoamericana para la Pesca Sustentable y Seguridad Alimentaria)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 May 2022Alpescas leads the Redes de América regional initiative for fishing net recycling, with TUNACONS and the Ecuadorian fishing industry joining to recycle 200 tonnes of disused nets annually in Ecuador as part of a tri-national goal of 4,500 tonnes across Latin America.
• OSA InternationalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 26 April 2022OSA International provided ISO 19011 training to TUNACONS and Ecuadorian seafood companies on audit processes for fisheries and processing sites, supporting the development of social responsibility management systems and compliance with international standards.
• FENACOPEC (Federación Nacional de Cooperativas Pesqueras del Ecuador)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2022FENACOPEC represents artisanal fishers as strategic partners in TUNACONS' shared sustainability agenda. TUNACONS presented a special recognition to FENACOPEC at the 10-year anniversary event. FENACOPEC leads community initiatives including mangrove conservation and school construction in Puerto La Cruz, Gulf of Guayaquil.
• Cámara Nacional de Pesquería (CNP) – National Chamber of Fisheries of EcuadorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2022CNP is a key institutional partner in the Cuidando Galápagos initiative and broader sustainability coalition alongside TUNACONS, Atunec, and artisanal fishing organizations. CNP collaborates on traceability, regulatory compliance, and marine conservation programs.
• Galapagos National Park (Parque Nacional Galápagos)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2022Galapagos National Park authorities work with TUNACONS on FAD recovery operations and marine conservation in the Galápagos Marine Reserve. In 2021, the park recorded 13 tonnes of waste collected from cleanup operations in beaches and mangrove areas.
• WWF EcuadorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015TUNACONS was founded in cooperation with WWF Ecuador, which provides technical assistance across all conservation programs. WWF is one of the world's largest environmental organizations and has been a key partner since TUNACONS' inception, supporting the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), MSC certification pathway, and environmental initiatives including Cuidando Galápagos.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• WWF Ecuador: Co-founding strategic partner providing technical assistance across TUNACONS' FIP, MSC, and Cuidando Galápagos programs. NGO partner, not a competing coalition.
• Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC): Regional fisheries management organization governing EPO tuna. TUNACONS works closely with IATTC scientific staff for stock assessments and observer data; a regulator, not a peer coalition.
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): Global standards body and certifier for sustainable fisheries. MSC is the standard TUNACONS pursues; an enabling/standards organization rather than a peer coalition.

Direct peers

• Cámara Nacional de Pesquería (CNP): Ecuador's National Chamber of Fisheries, a key institutional partner of TUNACONS in traceability, regulatory compliance, and marine conservation. Comparable as a national-level fisheries-industry convening body.
• World Tuna Purse Seine Organization (WTPO): Industry body for purse seine tuna operators focused on sustainable fishing and regulatory engagement. Overlapping industry-constituency and sustainability-policy mandate with TUNACONS.
• International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF): Global coalition of tuna processors, traders, and NGOs working to improve tuna stock sustainability and reduce bycatch. Directly comparable to TUNACONS as a multi-stakeholder tuna sustainability coalition; co-organized the first international FAD recovery workshop with TUNACONS.
• Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO): Western and Central Pacific purse seine FIP pursuing MSC-equivalent outcomes for skipjack and yellowfin. Comparable as a regional tuna coalition managing large purse seine fleets toward sustainability certification.
• Atunec: Ecuadorian association of tuna processors. Direct domestic peer co-engaged in Cuidando Galápagos and other sustainability coalitions; close functional overlap with TUNACONS member base.
• OPAGAC: Spanish organization of large tuna freezer purse seine operators pursuing MSC certification for tropical tuna. Closely comparable in mission, FIP methodology, and market-access rationale.
• Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP): Global NGO coordinating fishery improvement projects across multiple species and oceans. Comparable as a backbone organization supporting FIPs and supply-chain sustainability claims relevant to TUNACONS' buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tunacons
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tunacons

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tunacons - The Tuna Conservation Foundation For Sustainable Tuna Fishing