ICYMI
ISSF Publishes 2026 IOTC Position Statement Ahead of Annual Meeting
ISSF has released its 2026 position statement for the upcoming Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting, outlining science-based priorities to strengthen fisheries management, compliance, and transparency.
Among the key recommendations, ISSF calls for full implementation of the revised IOTC compliance assessment process to ensure robust and transparent accountability among member countries, particularly in addressing persistent gaps in reporting of fishery and FAD data and adherence to catch limits.
ISSF also urges adoption of precautionary catch limits for yellowfin tuna in line with scientific advice, improved management of skipjack and bigeye catches, and accelerated progress on harvest strategies for key stocks. Additional priorities include strengthening bycatch mitigation measures, advancing electronic monitoring and observer coverage, and improving vessel monitoring and transshipment controls.
Together, these recommendations reflect ISSF’s continued focus on science-based management and effective implementation to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean.
Read the Full Position Statement
Featured Resource
New Snapshot Highlights Progress and Gaps in RFMO Compliance Processes
ISSF has published an updated RFMO Best Practices Snapshot examining how tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) monitor and assess member compliance with conservation measures.
Effective compliance processes are fundamental to sustainable fisheries management, helping to build trust, improve transparency, and ensure that agreed measures are fully implemented.
The snapshot outlines the core elements of strong compliance systems, including information gathering, assessment, and follow-up, and evaluates how each RFMO performs against established best practices. While progress continues across regions, the analysis highlights ongoing gaps in areas such as transparency, verification of reporting, and consistent follow-up on non-compliance.
By identifying where improvements are needed, ISSF aims to support continued strengthening of RFMO compliance frameworks—an essential component of delivering measurable outcomes for tuna sustainability.
Featured Graphic
ISSF’s RFMO Best Practice Performance graphic provides a high-level view of how tuna RFMOs are progressing in implementing key best practices.
The visual “scorecard” compares performance across critical areas, including compliance processes, electronic monitoring and observer coverage, vessel monitoring systems, transshipment controls, and FAD management.
By highlighting both areas of progress and where further action is needed, the graphic underscores the importance of continued efforts to strengthen RFMO performance and deliver consistent, science-based management outcomes.
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