TRADITION AND LEGACY

Fifth generation

Behind Balfegó stand five generations of fishermen from L’Ametlla de Mar, a town on the northwestern coast of the Mediterranean Sea with a strong fishing tradition. Our story is a journey of passion, innovation, and respect for the sea.

HISTORY

Our History

The company as we know it today was founded in 2002 by Manel and Pere Vicent Balfegó, Montse Brull, and Salomé Gaseni with one goal in mind: to supply the world’s finest restaurants with the best bluefin tuna. In the 1980s, we decided to focus on bluefin tuna fishing. After many years of hard work, we have succeeded in transforming the traditional fishing of this species, becoming the world’s leading company in the capture, feeding, study, and marketing of bluefin tuna through an innovative and sustainable business model—both socially and environmentally.

  • Operating in more than 50 countries
  • 400 employees
  • Excellence, Sustainability, and Traceability

CERTIFICATIONS

Our Commitment to Excellence and Sustainability

We have turned our passion for fishing into a business model that respects the environment and has a positive social impact. Our commitment to continuous improvement drives us not only to be the best bluefin tuna company in the world, but also to be the best tuna company for the world.

logos-quienessomos-certificaciones

VISION

Beyond Fishing

We set sail with a purpose that goes beyond catching bluefin tuna. We seek to transform the fishing industry through respect, innovation, and a commitment to the marine ecosystem.

PURPOSE

Create sustainable value that benefits fishermen, communities, and the environment.

IMPACT

To create a business model that inspires positive change in the global fishing industry.

1970s

The Balfegó family is committed to converting its fleet to focus on bluefin tuna fishing using the purse seine method.

1980s

They decide to seek out new marketing channels to optimize production that is irregular over time.

1995

They carry out the first transfer of live tuna—which takes place in the Mediterranean—from purse seines to a floating pen on the high seas.

2000

They are modernizing the fleet with the construction of the company's two flagship vessels: La Frau II and Tío Gel segon.

2002

They founded the company that is now Balfegó & Balfegó to market their own products both domestically and internationally.

2004

Aquaculture ponds are being installed in the marine concession off the coast of l'Ametlla de Mar to add value to its fish production.

2005

A building is being constructed to house Balfegó's headquarters.

2008

They are implementing an innovative traceability system that is a first in the fishing industry. It provides a guarantee of transparency and food safety.

2010

The team behind Balfegó Grup’s various activities, in collaboration with scientists from the CSIC, observed and filmed bluefin tuna reproduction for the first time; this was documented and featured in the documentary *ULTIMATU*.

2012

They are launching "Tuna Tour," a sustainable and educational tourism activity where visitors can swim with tuna.

2017

The Tunateca, the world's first gastronomic venue dedicated to bluefin tuna, opens in Barcelona.

2020

Balfegó has become the first company specializing in Thunnus thynnus to obtain environmental sustainability certification (AENOR).

2024

Balfegó has become the first company in Spain's fishing industry to earn B Corp certification.

2025

Balfegó opens new facilities in L’Ametlla de Mar dedicated to bluefin tuna, boosting its production capacity and driving innovation in its processes.

VALUES

The Values That Define Us

We guide our company with ethical and responsible principles that define us as an organization.

COMMITMENT

We meet expectations in a sustainable manner, prioritizing the needs of our customers and society.

LIABILITY

We go beyond legal compliance by making an ethical commitment to our community.

EFFICIENCY

We strive for continuous improvement to optimize resources and ensure high-quality results.

TRANSPARENCY

We openly share information with consumers and the public, building trust and credibility.

STRATEGIC PILLARS

Our Strengths

We develop a comprehensive strategy that combines excellence, sustainability, and traceability at every step.

Excellence

High-quality production processes

In addition to sustainability and traceability, another of our corporate values is excellence in our product and in all our production processes.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Research and Conservation

Our company makes significant investments in species and product research, and our R&D Department collaborates with universities and scientific institutions on research, development, and innovation projects related to fishing, species, and the quality of our product, with the goal of ensuring the continued existence of bluefin tuna for future generations.

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TRACEABILITY

Transparency at Every Step

Balfegó’s traceability system is a pioneer in the fishing industry. With just a cell phone and the QR code provided next to each serving, both our customers and the end consumer can access all the information about the bluefin tuna they are buying or enjoying—including the date and location of the catch, weight, length, and fat content, and view the health and quality certificates.

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PIONEERS

Milestones That Define Our History in Fishing

Our journey is making a difference in the fishing industry. Each achievement reflects our passion for innovation and our respect for the ocean.

Performing a live tuna transfer on the high seas in the Mediterranean.

Performing a live tuna transfer on the high seas in the Mediterranean.

Verify the reproduction of bluefin tuna.

Verify the reproduction of bluefin tuna.

Propose measures for the management and control of the fishery.

Propose measures for the management and control of the fishery.

Electronically track individual tuna and each of their parts.

Electronically track individual tuna and each of their parts.

Pioneers

Awards celebrating our history

Our achievements reflect our commitment to innovation in the fields of fishing, gastronomy, and other areas.

2025

José Manuel Lara Award

Recognition of entrepreneurial ambition and purpose by the Cercle d'Economia.

2022

Keicho Award for Innovation and Technology

Award presented by the CEJE (Japanese Business Circle in Spain) in recognition of Balfegó's partnership with AZTI.

2022

BEST!N Food

Recognition of Indigo's "Be the change you want to see" campaign for Balfegó's commitment to sustainability and fostering cultural change.

2021

CUBÍ

Recognition by FACYRE of Balfegó’s commitment to sustainability.

2019

END

Recognition of Balfegó's work in promoting the Spanish shipbuilding industry.

2014

FOOD FROM SPAIN

Recognition of Balfegó Tuna S.L.'s fishing and aquaculture production by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment.

2014

EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Accreditation by the COETTC (Association of Technical Engineers and Telecommunications Surveyors).

2014

THE 100 BEST IDEAS OF THE YEAR

Recognition from Actualidad Económica (Tuna section, Tour Diving).

2014

TOWARD INTERNATIONALIZATION

Grup Air-Med S.A. Receives Recognition in the Logistics Sector from the Reus Chamber of Commerce

2014

GASTRONÓMIC LLORENS TORRADO

A Tour of the Ebro Region.

2014

MEDITERRANEAN BARCELONA

Recognition from the Mediterranean Diet Foundation.

2014

BEST SEAFOOD PRODUCT

Recognition from the Tarragona Academy of Gastronomy.

2013

COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Recognition for our business achievements in the province of Tarragona (Tarragona Association of Economists).

2013

CCNIECC Marc Viader

Recognition of Innovation in Food Products. “Innovating in Food.”

2012

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION

Recognition in the retail sector for Balfegó & Balfegó S.L. (Tortosa Chamber of Commerce).

2012

CARLES FERRER SALAT

Award for the Best Catalan Company in R&D&I.

2010

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Recognition for our management model based on efficiency, traceability, and accountability (UB).

2009

EBRENCA QUALITY

Recognition of our clear commitment to a job well done and to our region

CONTACT

Are you a restaurant, a distributor, or a fan of our bluefin tuna?