NIRSA announced in a post on X that it reaffirmed its commitment to a sustainable, traceable, and ethical industry in recognition of World Tuna Day.
World Tuna Day, observed annually on May 2, highlights the crucial role tuna plays in global food security, marine biodiversity, and economic livelihoods. It raises awareness about the impact of overfishing and the need for science-based fishery management to sustain tuna populations. According to the United Nations, responsible fishing practices are essential to ensure the longevity of tuna species and the stability of ocean ecosystems.
According to Seafood Sustainability, Ecuador is currently the world’s top tuna exporter, supplying nearly 17% of global tuna—a position supported by its expansive purse-seine fleet and advanced processing infrastructure. In the eastern Pacific, key industry players, including NIRSA, helped secure Marine Stewardship Council certification for skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna. This formalized the nation’s traceability and sustainability practices. This has translated into approximately US $1.2 billion in annual revenue, driven by demand for MSC-labelled canned tuna and investments in biodegradable fishing gear and real-time monitoring technologies.
NIRSA’s April 2024 Sustainability Update reports that the company has enacted a wide-ranging environmental policy that integrates conservation with fishery operations. It partners with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), is a founding member of the TUNACONS Foundation, and collaborates with the World Wildlife Fund to improve tuna stock management and reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Key actions include implementing biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), ensuring full traceability of seafood, maintaining observer coverage on all large vessels, and developing bycatch reduction technologies such as the Arrue Excluder. These efforts support NIRSA's pursuit of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for multiple tuna species.
Although NIRSA conducts active efforts toward sustainability and community service, in 2021 and 2022 multiple senior executives at Negocios Industriales Real S.A., including Board President Roberto Aguirre, had their U.S. visas revoked without formal charges or explanation according to a Federal Newswire report. The decision was enacted during President Joe Biden’s administration and has hindered NIRSA’s commercial expansion in the U.S., delaying plans for a new office and limiting in-person meetings with retail partners. Despite continued exports to the U.S., company officials state that the visa ban has curbed growth and undermined potential investments worth millions.
According to NIRSA, Aguirre has led the company for 47 years after becoming General Manager at just 22 following his father's death—founder Julio Aguirre Iglesias. Under his leadership, NIRSA has grown to capture over 90% of Ecuador’s domestic market while exporting to 35 countries across five continents. Aguirre credits strategic planning and diversification as key drivers of the company’s success.