About Us
In 2009, a global coalition of acclaimed scientists, seafood industry leaders, and environmental champions launched the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) based on shared concerns about the future of tuna fisheries and a desire to do something about it — together.
Now in our second decade, we continue to conduct collaborative scientific research and advocate sustainable-fishing policies — promoting best practices to vessel owners, fishers, seafood companies, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, and other stakeholders.
Continuously Improving Sustainability
To undertake and facilitate science-based initiatives to continuously improve the sustainability of global tuna fisheries and the health of the ecosystems that support them.
MSC-Certified Tuna Fisheries
To continuously improve the sustainability of global tuna fisheries and the ecosystems that support them to result in those fisheries meeting and maintaining the MSC certification standard.
We Focus on Sustainable Tuna
ISSF is a global research and advocacy non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on tuna sustainability.
We do not rate the sustainability of seafood choices, however, or make seafood purchase recommendations for consumers. ISSF also does not certify seafood or fisheries or provide an eco-label — like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) “blue check” — for seafood products.
Instead, we help fisheries to meet and maintain MSC certification requirements for sustainable fishing. We also guide seafood companies in sourcing sustainably caught tuna.
OUR CONSERVATION APPROACH
ISSF is unique in uniting a long-term vision of conservation with a businesslike concern for accountability and results.
2023-2027 Strategic Plan
Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability outlines ISSF’s approach to achieving its objective by 2027.
ISSF 2023 Annual Report
Navigating Toward Sustainable Tuna Fisheries explores ISSF’s challenges, milestones, and achievement in 2023.
Compliance Report
The ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report (June 2024) (PDF) examines how all ISSF participating companies and PVR vessels performed in 2023 against relevant ISSF conservation measures.