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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.

Our Mission

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.

Our Objective

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. 

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Stay up to date on ISSF’s activities and contributions in sustainable fishing by receiving our weekly e-newsletter.

Compliance Report

The Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report (PDF) examines how all ISSF participating companies performed in 2022 against ISSF conservation measures.