Featured News
ISSF Welcomes New Members to Its Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee
Expanded scientific, economic, and industry expertise strengthens ISSF’s global efforts to advance sustainable tuna fisheries
ISSF announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). These leaders bring extensive experience in fisheries science and management, economics, sustainability standards, and global marketing — further strengthening ISSF’s cross-sector approach to advancing the long-term conservation and sustainable use of global tuna fisheries.
“ISSF is unique in bringing together scientists, NGOs, governments, and seafood companies in a single governance model,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF President. “This diversity isn’t symbolic — it is essential to designing conservation measures that are both science-based and implementable in real fishing operations. Our new Board members deepen that strength.”
Featured Content
NEW REPORT: Advancing Electronic Monitoring Through Harmonized Global Standards
A new FAO workshop report highlights practical recommendations to accelerate the effective use of electronic monitoring (EM) across global tuna fisheries. Convened under the Common Oceans Tuna Project and hosted in San Sebastián, Spain, the December 2024 workshop brought together tuna RFMO experts, EM providers, and industry specialists to identify pathways for aligning EM standards while maintaining high data integrity and accountability.
ISSF played a leading technical role in the workshop, supporting a detailed comparison of existing EM standards and helping shape recommendations that emphasize performance-based, outcome-oriented approaches rather than prescriptive technical rules. Key recommendations include harmonizing core EM definitions, developing a universal Vessel Monitoring Plan template, modernizing standards to accommodate AI, cloud-based data management, and wireless transmission, and establishing a common audit and assurance framework applicable across tuna RFMOs.
Participants also stressed the importance of interoperability between EM systems, clear data ownership and security protocols, and flexible integration of EM alongside human observers and other monitoring tools. These recommendations provide a concrete roadmap for RFMOs to strengthen monitoring, improve compliance, and scale EM implementation globally — reinforcing ISSF’s long-standing leadership in advancing science-based, practical solutions for sustainable tuna fisheries.
Featured Resource
VOSI Transparency Tool Tracks Electronic Monitoring & Other Vessel Best Practices
ISSF’s Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) tool is a global transparency resource for seafood supply chain stakeholders to assess tuna vessel participation in best-practice sustainability initiatives. The recently updated VOSI expands the number of practices tracked, and new criteria now verify whether vessels are adopting measures to reduce bycatch of vulnerable species like sharks and sea turtles, such as:
- Use of circle hooks and finfish bait
- Use of monofilament branch lines
- Landing sharks with fins naturally attached
- Avoiding the use of shark lines
VOSI continues to report on other practices, from non-entangling and biodegradable FAD use to electronic monitoring and MSC Improvement Program participation. All commitments are independently verified by MRAG Americas through an annual documentation review process, ensuring that vessel-reported actions are credible and transparent.
An intuitive platform interface allows users to filter vessels by specific sustainability practices, vessel flag, or identifier. Quick links to ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) data and exportable vessel profiles create a seamless user experience.
Explore VOSI
Vessel owners interested in applying: Apply to VOSI
