SPANISH TECHNOLOGY COMPANY SATLINK RECEIVES THE ‘TUNA AWARD 2023’

Spanish technology company Satlink receives the ‘Tuna Award 2023’ for Project Recon. Organised by Anfaco-Cecopesca and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Tuna Awards recognise innovation in the international tuna industry.

• Satlink launched its circular economy Project ReCon in December 2022 to recover echosounder buoys used in tropical tuna fishing and recondition them for scientific and environmental

Spanish technology company Satlink received the Tuna Awards 2023 last night in the ‘Blue Transition’ category for Project ReCon, a circular economy initiative to repurpose end-of-life fishing buoys used in tropical tuna fishing. The award ceremony took place in Vigo, presided over by the Spanish Fisheries Management Director, Ignacio Gandarias, and the Conselleiro do Mar, Alfonso Villares.

Described as “pioneer and unique in its field” by Iván Alonso, President of Anfaco and the award presenter, project ReCon has become one of the world’s most significant initiatives, paving the way for the future of fisheries sustainability. It recovers end-of-life echosounder buoys used by the tropical tuna purse seine fishing fleet, and reconditions them for scientific and environmental purposes, such as marine debris tracking, scientific studies, or natural disaster prevention, among others. Since its launch in December 2022, over 4 tons of ghost nets have been collected with ReCon buoys.

After its initial steps in Australia with Tangaroa Blue Foundation and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, two major environmental organizations have recently joined ReCon: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Pacific Community (SPC). As of today, the project has extended its reach to a total of eight countries.

A cornerstone of Project ReCon is its industry-wide support and involvement. Currently, more than 80 vessels from companies and organisations such as Albacora, Echebastar, Inpesca, OPAGAC/AGAC, Sapmer, Bolton Food Group, Cape Fisheries, Caroline Fisheries Corporation, Trimarine, Oakcity Tuna Fishing Corporation, Hartswater, and the entire US Pacific Tuna Group, among many others, are participating in the project.

The jury, consisting of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, the University of Vigo, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), and the ICSEM, selected Satlink as the winner in a category with Atunlo and Bermeo Tuna World Capital as finalists. Marine Instruments was the other winner in the Revolution 4.0 category.

Satlink approaches these projects as part of its strategy to ensure the comprehensive sustainability of fishing activities. In fact, it is worth noting that the United Nations (UN) Global Compact recognised Satlink’s technology in 2022 for its contribution to ocean and marine life conservation, awarding it the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 prize. This recognition was followed in 2023 by the European Union Technology Chamber’s award.

About Satlink

Founded in 1992, Satlink is a Spanish technology company focused on the development of Internet of Things (IoT) and end-to-end (E2E) connectivity solutions. As the world’s leading provider of technology solutions for the fisheries segment – for both industry and regulators – Satlink is committed to fisheries sustainability and ocean conservation. Headquartered in Madrid, Satlink has offices in Spain (Marin), Seychelles, Ecuador, USA, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Korea, and Taiwan, and works with local partners in other parts of the world.