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IOTC Advances Several Monitoring and Bycatch Priorities While Tuna Conservation Challenges Remain
As the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting concludes, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) welcomes several constructive outcomes for Indian Ocean tuna fisheries, particularly on bycatch mitigation, transshipment oversight, and continued investment in science-based management procedures. However, ISSF remains concerned that the adopted yellowfin tuna measure does not fully align with IOTC Scientific Committee advice.
Ahead of this year’s annual meeting, ISSF urged the Commission to build on recent progress in Indian Ocean tuna fisheries management by focusing on strengthening science-based tuna conservation measures and improving monitoring systems and bycatch mitigation measures.
The final meeting outcomes reflect progress in several of these areas, particularly for mobulid ray conservation, transshipment oversight, and continued investment in management procedures. Yet important gaps remain on tuna conservation measures, particularly yellowfin catch limits, and monitoring systems.
