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 the sustainability of tuna fisheries.

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 guide businesses in understanding and implementing best practices. We also provide independently verified information about practices of participating companies and vessels through audit reports and our ProActive Vessel Register and Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives lists.

OUR CONSERVATION APPROACH

ISSF is unique in uniting a long-term vision of conservation with a businesslike concern for accountability and results.

Science Is Our Guide

Science, not politics or profit, drives our work. More than 70% of our budget goes toward original, collaborative research by leading marine scientists across a wide range of fields. Our research leads to policies and practices that promote better fishery management.

Through ISSF, Many Voices Speak

Our success depends on the diversity of our stakeholders: scientists, NGOs, governments, and foundations as well as fishing, processing, retail, and food-service companies. Working together, our stakeholders develop science-based policies and practices that get proven results.

We Side with the Facts, Not the Funders

Support from conservation-oriented foundations balances the support we receive from industry. Scientific institutions, NGOs, and fishing companies provide in-kind support as well as financial backing. All of our sponsors respect our independence. No supporting organization controls our policies, our practices, or the findings of our research.

We Clear the Way for Collaboration

ISSF values the interests and expertise of all of our stakeholders: scientists, NGOs, governments, and foundations, as well as fishing, processing, retail, and food-service companies. When our stakeholders disagree, we help them find common ground.

We Don’t Certify Fisheries. We Do Help Them Meet Certification Requirements

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sets the most widely recognized standard for fishery sustainability. Fisheries work with ISSF to bring their tuna-stock, ecosystem, and fishery-management performance up to MSC expectations.

Annual Report

Science Leads the Way explores ISSF’s research, outreach, and other achievements in 2024.

2023-2027 Strategic Plan

Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability outlines ISSF’s approach to achieving its objective by 2027.

Compliance Report

The Update to ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report (November 2024) (PDF) examines how all ISSF participating companies and PVR vessels performed in 2023 against relevant ISSF conservation measures.

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