A TUNACONS spokesperson said that in 2024, under a 2022 agreement involving NIRSA, 100 tons of disused fishing nets were delivered by NIRSA and recycled into products like sunglasses and textiles. This initiative supports a circular economy and aims to reduce marine pollution.
"Promoting a circular economy and reducing marine pollution," said . "Found an innovative solution for our members' disused fishing nets."
The representative from TUNACONS further mentioned that compared to major international fishing companies such as PINSA (Mexico), TASA and Austral Group (Peru), Grupo Calvo (Spain/Latin America), StarKist, Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea (U.S.), and Blumar (Chile), Ecuador-based NIRSA has distinguished itself through its strong commitment to environmental and social sustainability. The company has earned international certifications, actively participates in fisheries improvement projects, and promotes responsible practices across its supply chain. These efforts have positioned NIRSA as a regional leader in sustainable fishing and responsible industrial operations throughout the Americas.
According to ImportInfo, between June 2023 and April 2025, Ecuador-based seafood exporter NIRSA shipped products to the United States on 224 separate occasions, with 116 of those shipments occurring in the past year alone. Its U.S. partners include Global Trade Bridge Corp, Seafood Exchange of Florida Inc., and Pacific Breeze Seafood Inc., which supply grocery retailers and foodservice distributors nationwide. While exact volumes are not publicly disclosed, trade analysts at Shrimp Insights estimate that NIRSA exports between 4,000 and 7,000 metric tons of shrimp to the U.S. annually.
Business Daily reports that despite NIRSA's significant commercial presence, several of its executives are barred from entering the U.S. due to unexplained visa revocations by the State Department under the Biden administration. Federal Newswire notes that no criminal charges have been cited for these actions. This policy restricts senior leaders from attending U.S. trade shows, meeting buyers, or promoting the company’s sustainability initiatives in American policy forums.
According to NIRSA, Roberto Aguirre has been at the helm for 47 years after taking over as General Manager at age 22 following his father Julio Aguirre Iglesias' passing. Under his leadership, NIRSA has secured over 90% of Ecuador’s domestic market and expanded exports to 35 countries across five continents. Aguirre is recognized for his rigorous work ethic and attributes the company’s success to strategic planning and diversification.
TUNACONS was founded in 2016 by three tuna companies and expanded in 2017 with two additional members to launch a Fishery Improvement Project aimed at achieving Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainable tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The organization promotes sustainable tuna purse-seine fishing, supports scientific yield management, and reduces environmental impacts on marine ecosystems.