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Web Features, Web Feature Verifying Seafood Industry Commitments ISSF’s Compliance Program Advances Tuna Sustainability Published July 2025 Scroll Down╲╱ “Our industry compliance report goes beyond a scorecard. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, with public reporting serving as a tool for accountability and a catalyst for industry-wide progress. Participating companies and vessels voluntarily subject themselves to external evaluation, setting a strong precedent for others in the seafood sector. In doing so, they affirm that sustainability isn’t just a value — it’s a verifiable commitment and continuous practice.” – Susan Jackson, ISSF President Download the ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report At-a-Glance: ISSF Participating Company & PVR Vessel Compliance July 2025 Report Highlights The latest ISSF compliance report offers a compelling snapshot of sustainability progress and accountability in the global tuna industry. It documents the performance of 24 participating seafood companies, each independently audited by MRAG Americas against 33 ISSF conservation measures. The results reaffirm ISSF’s role as a standard-bearer for sustainable tuna fisheries and highlight industry-wide engagement in voluntarily adopting responsible practices.  The report also documents the performances of vessels listed on ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register against relevant ISSF conservation measures. 99.6% overall company conformance rate across all 24 audited companies 21 of 24 companies fully compliant on all ISSF conservation measures 77.5% overall vessel pass rate across all audited vessels on ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register 100% public disclosure of third-party audit findings New & Notable ISSF Conservation Measures in the Report NEW: 2.5 Companies report the proportion of their tuna purchases from sustainable sources and provide roadmaps for improvement. Read More About C.M. 2.5 NOTABLE: 1.3Companies publicly commit to and implement plans for reducing their sourcing of yellowfin tuna from the Indian Ocean and support stock rebuilding efforts. Read More About CM 1.3 Download the July 2025 Compliance Report Why It Matters The ISSF audit and compliance process provides independent verification that companies are putting sustainability principles into practice — advancing ocean conservation and setting a transparent benchmark for the global tuna industry. New This Year New Compliance Data Shows Strong Industry Response to Indian Ocean Yellowfin Rebuilding Efforts The report also shows that 22 of 24 ISSF participating companies were in full compliance with ISSF CM 1.3 – IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding for the 2024 audit year. This measure supports stock recovery by requiring companies to publicly commit to and implement plans to reduce their sourcing of yellowfin tuna from the Indian Ocean. The specific requirement for companies to achieve sourcing reductions of 11% to 22%, based on their average annual Indian Ocean yellowfin purchases from 2017–2019, was newly audited and reported in this year’s compliance report. “The Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission stated that larger catch reductions could allow the stock to recover sooner with a greater probability. Taken together, ISSF participating companies reduced sourcing of Indian Ocean yellowfin by 32.5%, well exceeding the intended goal of CM 1.3.” – Dr. Victor Restrepo, Chair, ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee “The adoption of CM 1.3 has been instrumental in aligning seafood industry practices with Indian Ocean Tuna Commission rebuilding efforts,” said marine scientist Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, Vice Chair, ISSF Board of Directors. “By setting a clear, science-based, measurable standard for sourcing reductions, the measure helps companies contribute directly to easing fishing pressure on the overfished yellowfin stock. This effort is essential for achieving sustainable fisheries.” 22 of 24 ISSF participating companies were in full compliance with ISSF CM 1.3 for the 2024 audit year. 22 of 24 ISSF participating companies were in full compliance with ISSF CM 1.3 for the 2024 audit year. A New Benchmark in Full Supply-Chain Transparency In 2024, all 24 ISSF participating companies achieved full conformance with CM 2.5 – Transparency in Reporting Progress Against ISSF’s Five-Year Goal. This measure requires companies to report the proportion of their tuna purchases from sustainable sources — such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries or comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) — and to provide roadmaps for improvement. “Adding CM 2.5 to our compliance reporting reinforces ISSF’s commitment to continuous improvement and full supply-chain transparency. This measure gives retailers, NGOs, and other stakeholders the verified data they need to track how companies are advancing responsible sourcing in real, quantifiable terms.” – Susan Jackson, ISSF President The report includes charts illustrating this newly audited individual company performance under CM 2.5. One chart shows the percentage of purchases by fishery source (e.g., MSC-certified fisheries, MSC-assessed fisheries, comprehensive FIPs), while the other details purchases by supplier type (e.g., ISSF participating companies, direct-from-vessel transactions). Together, these provide a clear view of how companies are progressing toward ISSF’s Five-Year Goal. Charts of the first-ever audit results for Conservation Measure 2.5 — now available in the full ISSF Compliance Report. Charts of the first-ever audit results for Conservation Measure 2.5 — now available in the full ISSF Compliance Report. Audited Compliance at the Vessel Level The report also includes consolidated data on vessel-level aggregate compliance through ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register (PVR), which tracks the alignment of individual vessels with 12 key ISSF conservation measures. All PVR-listed vessels undergo independent auditing by MRAG Americas, and this year’s compliance summary includes gear-specific insights on vessel practices — such as the use of non-entangling and biodegradable FADs, adherence to bycatch mitigation guidelines, and achievement of 100% observer coverage. “The transparent and independent auditing process our participating companies and vessels volunteer to undergo builds on the foundation of accountability that makes our conservation measures effective — and helps to hold other industry players to high standards.” – Susan Jackson, ISSF President Level of compliance by PVR-listed vessels for each conservation measure tracked on the PVR. Level of compliance by PVR-listed vessels for each conservation measure tracked on the PVR. Evolving Standards, Measurable Impact From vessel operations to supply chain practices, ISSF’s compliance framework continues to evolve — adapting to emerging challenges and strengthening the accountability infrastructure that underpins global tuna sustainability. The message from this year’s findings is clear: meaningful, measurable progress is possible when industry stakeholders commit to robust, science-based conservation principles and back them up with action and transparency. ISSF conservation measures have grown and aggregate compliance has improved over time. ISSF conservation measures have grown and aggregate compliance has improved over time. About the Report Building Market Trust with Verifiable Progress Voluntary sustainability commitments are common in the seafood sector — but few are backed by the kind of rigorous, transparent oversight that defines the ISSF audit and compliance process. Through third-party audits conducted by MRAG Americas and the public reporting of results, ISSF holds participating companies accountable to 33 rigorous conservation measures grounded in science and aligned with global best practices. These measures address critical areas such as observer coverage, fish aggregating device (FAD) management, bycatch mitigation, product traceability and efforts to reduce IUU fishing activities.  The structure of the compliance program fosters not only continuous improvement but also credible, verifiable action — reinforcing trust in the seafood industry’s sustainability journey.  “In an era when sustainability pledges in the private sector are increasingly commonplace, ISSF participating companies continue to stand out in their commitment to a rigorous, transparent audit and compliance process.” – Susan Jackson, ISSF President Download the July 2025 Compliance Report Additional Resources Membership Information for Seafood Companies ISSF Conservation Measures PVR Application Form for Vessels PVR Public Vessel List WEBSITE — iss-foundation.org E-MAIL — [email protected] SUPPORT — Donate to ISSF SUBSCRIBE — Sign up for the eNewsletter  ©2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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