The Fishing Practices of Nauterra and Its Global Impact
Nauterra, formerly known as Grupo Calvo, has recently been scrutinized regarding its fishing practices and sourcing of seafood products, particularly in relation to its operations in Morocco. While the company does not own any industrial plants in Morocco, it does collaborate with third parties to process canned fish within the country. This method is primarily due to the geographical advantage that Morocco offers, being close to rich fishing grounds, particularly for the species known as Sardina pilchardus, which is the only species that can be marketed as ‘sardine’ in Europe. The tropical tuna, which constitutes the main raw material for Nauterra's canned products, is mainly sourced from equatorial waters across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. This tuna is procured both from the company’s own fishing fleet and from external suppliers. Moreover, other ingredients such as mussels, sardines, and squids come from various external suppliers operating in up to eight different FAO regulated fishing areas, including Moroccan waters.
In 2025, it was noted that the fishing region encompassing Moroccan waters contributed a mere 3.93% of the raw materials for Nauterra's products. However, discerning the exact country of origin for the fish in a canned product remains a complex task, influenced by various factors such as water sovereignty and the flags under which fishing vessels operate. Gemma del Caño, a quality management professional in the food industry, emphasizes that simply stating 'this fish comes from this country' is often an oversimplification of the intricate global fishing landscape. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has established codes that categorize the ocean into parcels, facilitating the identification of where fish catches occur, thus adding a layer of complexity to understanding the provenance of seafood.
Nauterra's Supply Chain: From Fishing to Canning
In terms of its supply chain, Nauterra sources its tropical tuna predominantly from external suppliers, accounting for 81.6% of its tuna supply in 2025, while the remaining 18.39% is sourced from its own fleet of six tuna fishing vessels. These vessels are engaged in fishing exclusively for tropical tuna in the equatorial waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, specifically in FAO zones 34, 47, 77, and 87. It is critical to note that Nauterra's fleet does not operate in Moroccan waters, which further differentiates their sourcing practices.
Nevertheless, the company’s fish processing extends beyond its own captured tuna, as a significant portion of its sardine products in the European market indeed originates from Morocco, where they are processed. The rationale behind this strategic choice is the proximity to abundant fishing grounds, particularly for Sardina pilchardus. This not only reduces the time between capture and processing but also helps maintain the freshness of the fish. For other species, the majority of raw materials in 2025 were sourced from the southeastern and southwestern Pacific regions, alongside various areas across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. In total, nearly half of the raw materials utilized by Nauterra came from FAO regions 77 and 88, followed by FAO 27 and FAO 41, with Moroccan waters contributing a modest percentage of 3.93%.
In Spain, regulations govern the indication of food origins, with requirements varying based on product types. For instance, fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables must clearly indicate their country of origin, while canned products like tuna are only required to disclose this information when there is a potential for consumer confusion. This regulatory framework aims to enhance product traceability and mitigate food safety risks, aligning with the goals set forth by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
It is essential to clarify that the FAO fishing zones do not align perfectly with national maritime or territorial boundaries. Del Caño explains that these zones are determined based on ecosystems, species, currents, and international agreements rather than strict political borders. Consequently, a sardine labeled as ‘FAO 34’ does not necessarily indicate its origin from a specific country. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea outlines the rules governing maritime territories, designating areas such as Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) that extend up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, where states possess sovereign rights for resource exploration and exploitation.
Given these complexities, determining the true origin of seafood can be challenging. The flags of fishing vessels also play a crucial role in this context. A fishing vessel is not defined by the waters in which it operates but rather by the country whose flag it flies, which dictates the applicable legal framework, including labor laws and regulations. Therefore, as del Caño concludes, a single fish can be caught in one country's waters, on a vessel registered in another country, and processed in yet another location.
As reported by maldita.es.
