The Tonno Rosso d’Italia Benefit Producers’ Organisation is an Italian organisation dedicated to the development and enhancement of the Bluefin Tuna value chain (Thunnus thynnus).

Established in 2022 and officially recognised as a Producers’ Organisation by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) in 2025, it brings together operators with the aim of building an increasingly integrated, transparent, competitive and sustainable Italian value chain.

The Organisation currently comprises 17 active fishing vessels, together with the Carloforte Tonnare PIAM, one of the last fixed tuna traps still operating in the Mediterranean.

The Organisation represents approximately 13% of Italy’s national Bluefin Tuna catch quota and approximately half of the national quota allocated to the fixed tuna trap sector.

The Organisation’s vision is focused on developing an integrated Italian value chain, covering the entire production process. A key strategic element of the project is the development in Italy of facilities dedicated to the farming and fattening of Bluefin Tuna, for which all the required concessions and authorisations have already been granted by the relevant authorities.

Today, part of the Italian catch is transferred abroad, particularly to Spain and Malta, for subsequent fattening stages. The Organisation’s objective is to develop domestic production capacity, bringing a significant part of the production cycle back to Italy while creating new expertise, infrastructure and value throughout the supply chain.

The Tonno Rosso d’Italia Value Chain Programme involves investments of approximately €11 million, supported financially through the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), managed by ISMEA, with the involvement of Italian universities and research organisations. The programme is expected to be completed by 2029.

The “Tonno Rosso d’Italia” collective trademark, registered at European level, represents the common identity of the value chain and a system of guarantees based on quality, traceability, sustainability and responsibility.

To support the system, certifications and procedures have been implemented in accordance with:

• ISO 22005 – voluntary traceability;
• ISO 9001 – quality management;
• ISO 14001 – environmental management;
• ISO 37001 – anti-bribery management;
• Italian Legislative Decree 231/2001 – organisational and compliance model for the prevention of corporate offences.

The objective is to ensure a value chain based on verifiable, controlled and traceable processes, providing operators and business partners with concrete assurance of reliability and transparency.

Scientific research represents another key element of the Organisation’s strategy. Since 2023, marine environment monitoring activities have been carried out through an oceanographic buoy, aimed at collecting data on the sea’s physical and chemical parameters and studying the effects of Mediterranean warming on marine ecosystems and aquaculture.

At the same time, the Producers’ Organisation is developing a circular economy approach by valorising Bluefin Tuna processing by-products for potential applications in pet food, fishmeal and fish oil production, as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors.

The adoption of the Benefit Company model integrates the Organisation’s economic objectives with principles of responsible management and a focus on the impacts generated on people, communities, territories, the environment and stakeholders.

In this context, Tonno Rosso d’Italia aims to become an Italian point of reference for the development of the Bluefin Tuna value chain and an open partner for cooperation with international operators, buyers, importers, distributors, foodservice companies, industrial partners, institutions and research organisations.