The Riveira and Aguiño Long-liner Vessel Owners Association (ARPA) was established on 10 th April 1982, to unite all fishing companies and long-liner vessel owners in the ports of Riveira and Aguiño. With fleets working in the fishing grounds of Morocco as well as in the North West of Spain -the Cantabrian coast, the Association thus became the most important deep sea long-line fishing organization in the country.The organization was created to defend the interests of the associates and encourage economic and social improvement through common action; joint effort and collaboration.

With time, the Association had to adapt to the new tendencies in the fishing sector, as part of the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy. The “Organization for Long-line Fishing Producers” (ORPAL 46) was thus created on 5 th August 1994 by the same members associated to ARPA.

The expiry of the fishing agreement between the European Union and Morocco provoked a time of crisis for the Association's fleet; the lack of fishing ground alternatives with minimum profitability meant vessels were at a stand still despite recent renewal. The situation led to the majority of companies looking to international alternatives and returning to fish in Moroccan waters under the joint venture system. As a result, on 3 rd October 2003 the “Association for vessel owners in joint-ventures in third countries” (ORPAL INTERNATIONAL) was formed.

Today the Association for standard vessel owners with the two other Associations in the group has consolidated the most important group of deep-sea long-line fishing vessel owners in Spain , and one of the most important in the European Union.