Value Chain Analysis in the FarFish project

This report contains a value chain analysis of the FarFish case studies and builds on a previously published report* from the project, where the value chains were described. The report is the final deliverable for task 3.2 of the project (‘Analysing the value chains of the FarFish case studies’). The original intention was to provide one draft manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal. As the covid-19 pandemic did not allow in-country case visits and with the large differences encountered between the various value chains in the identified case studies, we instead refined our research questions and instead present three draft value chain manuscripts intended for journal submission. The first draft discusses traceability aspects of the tuna value chains of Cabo Verde and Seychelles. It presents SFPA catches by area and gear and landing place. There are economic incentives for vessels to misreport, and clear traceability challenges. The two tuna value chains are examined from a traceability perspective focusing on how information is recorded and verified. Processors have sophisticated systems and hold lots separate through production, allowing tracing of finished products to fishing vessel and date. Catch certificates are required for exports to EU, being their major markets. These have shortcomings especially related to lack of an EU-wide electronic registry. The second draft investigates recent major changes in the value chain for small pelagics in Mauritania. Historically a major component of the EU SFPA fleet exploited sardinella that was frozen onboard and traded to countries in the Gulf of Guinea. This formed an important source of affordable but high- quality protein. However, management changes in Mauritania made this fishery less attractive and a large share of catches have been processed into fish meal and oil, thus becoming inputs into totally different value chains and no longer supplied as food to African markets. The third draft manuscript investigates the Argentine hake fishery in the Southwest Atlantic. Here, Spanish trawlers fish in both the high seas and in national waters for hake which is primarily consumed in the Spanish market. The supply from this fishery has become increasingly important. The fishery has management issues. It is not governed by any RFMO, the stock is at risk of overfishing, and without adequate management, is not eligible for ecolabeling. The draft discusses the supply of hake to the Spanish market, the potential implications of a supply shortfall due to reduced catches, and the need to strive for certification. Finally, a section discussing the West-African tuna SFPAs in unison is provided. This is not intended as a journal manuscript, but for publication in a report series