Tuna Fishing Ban 2025: what you need to know

Each year, Ecuador enforces a fishing ban to protect tuna populations, one of its main exports. For 2025, the Ministry of Production has established two closed seasons:

-July 29 to October 8, 2025

-November 9, 2025 to January 19, 2026

During these periods, tuna fishing vessels must suspend their operations. Additionally, if a vessel exceeded certain catch limits the previous year, it must observe additional days of fishing ban. Fishing is also prohibited in the area known as “El Corralito” from October 9 to November 8.

Bluepacif: Responsible Continuity

In this context, companies like Bluepacif, a major Ecuadorian tuna exporter, plan ahead to continue operations during the ban. How do they do it? By using frozen inventories that allow exports to remain active while complying with environmental regulations.

The tuna ban is also an opportunity to redirect fishing efforts to other species, such as mahi-mahi, whose ban ends on October 7, or small pelagics like sardines and chuhueco, which are not under restriction during this period. This allows continued activity without compromising sustainability.

The fishing ban not only protects the ecosystem, it also encourages the industry to innovate and diversify. Bluepacif demonstrates that it is possible to export responsibly while protecting marine resources.