Albacore tuna unloading in October by the Luziens at the port of Rosmeur, in Douarnenez. ©LF/Produit de la Mer

A Moderate Albacore Tuna Season in Brittany: Challenges and Gains

FRANCE
Thursday, December 05, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The 2024 albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) season in Brittany started slowly but gained momentum by mid-August.

The fishery, which traditionally begins in the southern Bay of Biscay, eventually shifted to the northwest of Brittany’s coast, where schools of tuna became more concentrated. Although fishing conditions improved, the season’s performance was mixed, marked by fluctuating yields and market challenges. However, one positive note was the upward trend in prices compared to 2023, which had been weighed down by an oversupply from Spanish stocks, as noted by Lionel Flageul from Produit de la Mer.

Photo: courtesy Deia

International Contributions and Market Dynamics

Irish tuna boats concluded their quota of 4,311 tonnes by August 20, with their final landings primarily at Douarnenez—Makfroid's main advanced base—and, to a lesser extent, Lorient. Meanwhile, Spanish pole-and-line vessels faced relatively low yields this summer, providing an opportunity for French albacore vessels, particularly those based in Brittany, to meet strong demand from Iberian canneries, their primary market. By October, some sales surpassed €4 per kilogram, reflecting firm market demand.

Landings and Revenue: A Mixed Picture

The campaign saw notable increases in landings at key ports. At Douarnenez, Yann Dufresnoy, the port director, reported a doubling of landed tonnage, from 986 tonnes in 2023 to 2,030 tonnes in 2024, valued at around €5 million. This was due to contributions from both Irish vessels and Basque fishers from Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Similarly, Lorient recorded a rise from 540 tonnes in 2023 to 1,016 tonnes in 2024. The average price per kilogram, factoring in injuries, also improved significantly, reaching €2.71 in 2024 compared to €1.70 in 2023, according to Yonel Madec.

Challenges for the Industry

Despite these improvements, challenges remain for Les Pêcheurs de Bretagne (LPDB). While the average price for members rose from €2.20 in 2023 to €3.10 in 2024, only around 2,000 tonnes of albacore were landed—well below the cooperative's 3,260-tonne quota (adjusted after exchanges). This shortfall represents a 40% decline in revenue compared to 2022.

Operational complexities also affected the season. With the Plan d'Ajustement des Flottes (PAI) leading to fleet reductions, fewer vessels participated in the fishery. Those that remained faced logistical challenges, including frequent back-and-forth trips between fishing areas in September and October, which increased diesel consumption and operational costs.

<== Northern 'bonito' caught by pole and line vessel

Conclusion

While the 2024 albacore tuna season in Brittany showed improvements in pricing and landings at key ports, the overall results were far from optimal. Reduced fleet capacity, higher operational costs, and a significant drop in revenue compared to 2022 underscored the complexities of the fishery. Nonetheless, the stronger demand from Iberian canneries and higher average prices offered some silver linings in an otherwise challenging season.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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