Author: Lynne Mandel

From Research to Real-World Application | ISSF Releases Updated Skippers’ Guidebook for Sustainable Purse Seine Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on March 5, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Releases Updated Edition of Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Purse Seine Fishing Practices

ISSF today announced the release of the fourth edition of its Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Purse Seine Fishing Practices — a comprehensive and practical resource for tuna fishers worldwide. The guidebook shares up-to-date ISSF recommendations on the steps purse-seine skippers can take to mitigate bycatch and protect non-target species and marine ecosystems in their fisheries.

The new edition is available at issfguidebooks.org in Webpage format in English and as downloadable PDFs in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, ensuring broad accessibility across global tuna-fishing regions.

“The guidebook is the result of years of hands-on research and collaboration,” said Dr. Victor Restrepo, ISSF Vice President of Science and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee. “It draws on at-sea trials of bycatch mitigation techniques, testing of non-entangling, biodegradable fish aggregating devices, input from research institutes and environmental non-governmental organizations, and direct feedback from skippers through ISSF workshops. By bringing together science and real-world experience, we are equipping tuna fishers with practical tools they can use every day to reduce impacts and continuously improve the sustainability of their fisheries.”

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Featured Graphic

ISSF-sponsored scientists and presenters have been traveling the world in an effort to share best practices with fishers in every port. The Skippers Workshops are also an important opportunity for ISSF scientists to dialogue with fishers about what techniques and tools may be most impactful and most successfully implemented given the variable dynamics of the world’s tuna fisheries. These interactions, in turn, help inform ISSF’s bycatch research priorities as we continue to identify and advance sustainable fishing practices.

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Featured Video

Purse-seine fishers in Ghana learned in a hands-on workshop how to construct fish aggregating devices (FADs) made with natural, local, and biodegradable materials to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. Working with fisheries scientists, they built bio-FAD models — two cubic designs, and one cylindrical design — from start to finish.

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ISSF in the News

ISSF Board Repeals Conservation Measure on Indian Ocean Yellowfin Tuna
Fish Focus

The Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna is moving out of the “red”… and the industry is easing up
Europa Azul

ISSF adopts new conservation measure on labour audits at land-based tuna facilities
World Fishing & Aquaculture

Ghanaian tuna fleets achieve MSC certification
Undercurrent News

ISSF Updates Yellowfin Measure; Tuna Stock Health Reaches New Milestone | PLUS: ISSF Scientists Support Global Fisheries Managers through New MP Training

Written by Lynne Mandel on February 19, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Board Repeals Conservation Measure on Indian Ocean Yellowfin Tuna
The Board of Directors of ISSF voted to repeal ISSF Conservation Measure 1.3 – IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding following a review of updated scientific advice on the status of Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna.“ISSF adopted CM 1.3 to support stock rebuilding at a time when scientific advice clearly indicated urgent action was needed and wasn’t being taken by the IOTC,” said Susan Jackson, President of ISSF. “While stock recovery is driven by multiple factors, the actions taken by ISSF participating companies to follow the scientific advice at the time demonstrates how industry can contribute constructively when management processes are lacking.”

ICYMI

97% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Abundance Levels; Nearly 100% Not Experiencing Overfishing

Record Sustainability Milestone Reflects Continued Progress Through Science-Based Fisheries Management

Ninety-seven percent of the world’s total commercial tuna catch now comes from stocks at “healthy” abundance levels, according to the January 2026 ISSF Status of the Stocks report. This is a ten-percentage-point increase from the previous March 2025 report. At the same time, nearly 100% of the global tuna catch comes from stocks not experiencing overfishing, indicating that tuna fisheries are not only biologically healthy but also being harvested at sustainable levels. Both figures represent the highest levels ever reported by ISSF.

Featured Content

ISSF Contributes to New FAO e-Learning Series on Management Procedures in Global Fisheries

Through a new e-learning offering from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fisheries managers worldwide can gain technical training and capacity-building skills for adopting effective management procedures (MPs).

ISSF Senior Scientist Dr. Hilario Murua co-authored content for the five-course series, which launched February 11 via a webinar with fisheries specialists, policymakers, and experts from Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and NGOs, who will share global examples, results, and insights on MPs.

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97% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Abundance Levels | Nearly 100% Not Experiencing Overfishing

Written by Lynne Mandel on February 12, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

97% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Abundance Levels; Nearly 100% Not Experiencing Overfishing

Record Sustainability Milestone Reflects Continued Progress Through Science-Based Fisheries Management

Ninety-seven percent of the world’s total commercial tuna catch now comes from stocks at “healthy” abundance levels, according to the January 2026 ISSF Status of the Stocks report. This is a ten-percentage-point increase from the previous March 2025 report. At the same time, nearly 100% of the global tuna catch comes from stocks not experiencing overfishing, indicating that tuna fisheries are not only biologically healthy but also being harvested at sustainable levels. Both figures represent the highest levels ever reported by ISSF.

Featured Tool

Interactive Stock Status & Catch Tool
Our interactive tool allows you to visualize current and historical data from ISSF’s Status of the Stocks report.

The tool has three tabs:

one for visualizing tuna stock health since 2011
another for visualizing the current tuna catch by fishing method
a third with catch trends by fishing method since 1950

Users can generate a variety of customized graphics within the tool based on chosen criteria (e.g., “tuna species,“ “stock area,” and “gear type”) and download information in different file formats (e.g., CSV, Excel, PDF, image files).

Explore here

Featured Video

Science First
Our strategic plan puts science first — grounding every recommendation and action in the best available research to support the long-term sustainability of tuna fisheries worldwide. ISSF President Susan Jackson discusses how ISSF takes a science-first approach to achieving lasting conservation outcomes for global tuna fisheries.

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ISSF in the News

ISSF introduces new measure on social audits for tuna processors
Undercurrent News

ISSF adopts new conservation measure on labour audits at land-based tuna facilities
World Fishing & Aquaculture

Pacific Nations to Tackle Drifting FAD Loss at International Workshop
Solomon Star News

ISSF Adopts New Measure on Social Audits | PLUS: FAO E-learning Series Supports Stronger Tuna Fisheries Management Worldwide

Written by Lynne Mandel on February 5, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Adopts New Conservation Measure to Strengthen Social Accountability at Land-Based Tuna Production Facilities

ISSF has adopted a new conservation measure (CM) related to social and labor practices at land-based tuna production facilities owned or controlled by ISSF Participating Companies.

ISSF Conservation Measure 9.2 – Social Audits for Land-Based Tuna Production Facilities establishes clear expectations for independent, third-party labor audits conducted under internationally recognized audit programs. The measure builds on ISSF’s existing CM 9.1 – Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards, strengthening implementation and verification at land-based operations.

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Featured Resource

FAO to Promote New Fisheries Management Course in Global Webinar
Event Attracts Widespread Interest as Countries and RFMOs Scale Up Management Procedures

As adoption of management procedures (MPs) expands worldwide, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will host a global webinar to highlight its new e-learning course series: Management procedures for sustainable tuna fisheries, designed to help meet growing demand for technical training and capacity building.

The February 11 event will bring together fisheries specialists, policymakers and practitioners from around the world to explore the strategies strengthening the resilience of fisheries and ensuring sustainable management of marine resources. Senior representatives from FAO, together with experts from Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and NGOs, will share examples from the field, recent results and lessons learned from the application of MPs in diverse regions.

The five course FAO e-learning series was developed under the FAO Common Oceans Tuna Project, with support from The Ocean Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation.

ICYMI

The State of Global Tuna Sustainability in 2026: Momentum, Modernization, and the Path Ahead
As we begin 2026, there is real reason for optimism about the state of global tuna fisheries. After more than a decade of focused work by scientists, managers, industry, and the NGO community — including ISSF— the foundations of sustainable tuna management are stronger than ever. Most of the world’s tuna catch comes from stocks at healthy levels, and a growing share comes from fisheries managed under modern, science-based frameworks.

Featured Content

ISSF RFMO Priorities

Each year, we identify priority actions for tropical-tuna RFMOs to take to improve fishery sustainability in their regions. To shape RFMO discussion and decision-making, ISSF’s science and advocacy experts have outlined their concerns and advice below. Our position statements — which we disseminate ahead of RFMO annual meetings and special sessions — explore and expand on these priority topics.

Review Our 2026 “Asks”

Global Tuna Sustainability in 2026: Progress with Purpose | Healthy stocks, modern management, and the next phase of science-based action

Written by Lynne Mandel on January 22, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

The State of Global Tuna Sustainability in 2026: Momentum, Modernization, and the Path Ahead

As we begin 2026, there is real reason for optimism about the state of global tuna fisheries. After more than a decade of focused work by scientists, managers, industry, and the NGO community — including ISSF— the foundations of sustainable tuna management are stronger than ever. Most of the world’s tuna catch comes from stocks at healthy levels, and a growing share comes from fisheries managed under modern, science-based frameworks.

This progress did not happen by chance. It reflects sustained investment in science, improved international cooperation, and a shared recognition that long-term sustainability is not only an environmental imperative but also a prerequisite for resilient seafood supply chains and coastal communities and fishing livelihoods.

At the same time, 2026 is a pivotal year. The gains we have made must now be implemented and globally extended. Success will depend on whether tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) can continue to make the necessary improvements to transition to fully modern fisheries governance.

Featured Content

ISSF RFMO Priorities

ISSF participating seafood companies also reinforce ISSF recommendations through their own direct advocacy to RFMOs. Our Web feature story maps their influence network, including MSC-certified and -assessed fisheries and tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs), in IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, and WCPFC.

Review Our 2026 “Asks”

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PVR & VOSI Participation Continues to Expand
Participation in ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and Vessels in other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) public vessels lists has continued to grow steadily since each tool’s launch, reflecting broader uptake of transparency and accountability tools across the tuna sector.

The accompanying graphics show growth across vessel types through 2025, highlighting increased engagement with ISSF’s science-based frameworks. This expanded participation strengthens the information available to the NGO community, market actors, and other stakeholders working to advance effective, responsible tuna fisheries worldwide.

View PVR Growth

View VOSI Growth

ISSF Welcomes New Board & Scientific Advisory Committee Members | PLUS How to Scale EM Implementation Globally

Written by Lynne Mandel on January 15, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

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.

Read the report

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

ISSF’s Biggest Stories of 2025 | Don’t Miss Our Top 5 of 2025

Written by Lynne Mandel on December 17, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Celebrating Progress in Science and Collaboration for Sustainable Fisheries

In 2025, ISSF and our partners continued to make meaningful progress toward more sustainable tuna fisheries — from expanded transparency tools and evidence of improving stock health to stronger management practices and cross-sector collaboration. These highlights capture the stories that resonated most with our audiences and reflect gains toward science-based, accountable progress for global tuna fisheries.

1. ISSF Expands Tuna Vessel Best Practices Tracked on VOSI

Enhanced transparency to accelerate adoption of science-based practices
ISSF broadened the range of best practices tracked and verified on its Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) tool, offering clearer insight into how vessels are performing against sustainability expectations. The update, which also included a user-friendly redesign, strengthens accountability and supports more comprehensive implementation of improved fishing practices across the global tuna fleet. Read more.

2. A Consistently Strong Indicator: 87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes From Healthy Stocks

Sustained progress driven by long-term RFMO management improvements
ISSF’s analysis reaffirms a positive, stable trend: the vast majority of global tuna catch continues to come from stocks at healthy abundance levels. This figure has held steady in recent years, and its persistence is meaningful — reflecting durable gains from science-based management and sustained action by RFMOs and stakeholders across the supply chain. It remains a key indicator of where collective efforts are working and where continued vigilance is needed. Learn more.

3. ISSF Wins 2025 Responsible Seafood Innovation Award

Recognizing innovation that drives sustainability in seafood
ISSF was honored with the 2025 Responsible Seafood Innovation Award from the Global Seafood Alliance for our Jelly-FAD design and related contributions to innovation in sustainable tuna fishing. This award highlights ISSF’s collaborative role in fostering creative, science-driven solutions to reduce environmental impacts and support responsible practices throughout the seafood value chain. Read the full story.

4. ISSF Welcomes Vietnam’s KTCFOOD as a New Participating Company

Growing industry alignment with ISSF’s conservation measures
KTCFOOD joined ISSF as a new Participating Company in 2025, expanding engagement in a key region for global tuna production. By committing to conform to all ISSF Conservation Measures, including transparency, monitoring, and other best-practice requirements, KTCFOOD reinforces the coalition of companies working to advance science-based improvements in tuna fisheries. Read our press release.

5. Advancing Tuna Sustainability Together: Highlights from Fall Market Forums

Strengthening collaboration across the seafood sector to support sustainable tuna supply chains
ISSF’s 2025 Forum events brought together seafood companies, market partners, scientists, and sustainability leaders to explore key topics shaping sustainable tuna practices— including advances in monitoring and transparency, the latest global stock trends, and tools that help companies demonstrate and improve sustainability performance. The discussions highlighted the value of shared learning and cooperation in advancing science-based approaches across global seafood markets. Learn more.

ISSF Responds to WCPFC | Delivering on Science While Delaying on Monitoring for Pacific Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on December 10, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF’s Response to the WCPFC Annual Meeting

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) concluded its annual meeting with a mix of meaningful progress and consequential deferrals — outcomes that not only validate the Commission’s capacity to deliver science-based reforms but also highlight areas where urgent follow-through is needed. For the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), we must assess these decisions against what we urged WCPFC to advance this year.

This year’s meeting demonstrated that when WCPFC members align around shared scientific objectives, significant outcomes are possible. The adoption of an interim management procedure for South Pacific albacore and strengthened seabird protections underscore this potential. Yet on other ISSF priorities — including FAD management, longline observer coverage, and IUU prevention — the Commission deferred essential decisions to 2026, widening the gap between WCPFC and other tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs).

ICYMI

Mixed Results at ICCAT 2025: Skipjack Management Procedure Adoption Marks Progress, Other Key Reforms Slip to 2026 and Beyond

As ICCAT concludes its 2025 annual meeting in Seville, ISSF offers a measured assessment of the outcomes. While the Commission made meaningful progress in some areas, particularly on harvest strategies, many issues central to achieving fully monitored and accountable fisheries were deferred to intersessional work in 2026 and beyond. Intense time spent on bluefin tuna quota negotiations also limited the Commission’s ability to advance other priority reforms.

We evaluate the results of the meeting through the lens of the priorities highlighted in our October ICCAT preview.

Read the blog

Advancing Tuna Sustainability Together | Highlights from Fall Retailer Forums, Podcast Features & ISSF in the News

Written by Lynne Mandel on December 4, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Hosts Fall Tuna Sustainability Market Forums in Madrid and London
This fall, with support from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), ISSF convened retailers, seafood companies, NGOs, and supply-chain partners in Madrid and London for two regional Tuna Sustainability Market Forums. Across both sessions, speakers from ISSF, MSC, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) shared the latest science, management updates, and verification tools shaping sustainable tuna supply chains.

The forums provided attendees with practical insights into global tuna stock status, RFMO developments, and emerging approaches for transparency, due-diligence compliance, and credible sustainability reporting. Key themes included:

· Science-Led Management: Updates on ISSF research, stock health trends, and the continued expansion of harvest strategies and other science-based management tools

· Strengthening Transparency: Progress in electronic monitoring, traceability initiatives, and independent audits that help companies demonstrate measurable improvements

· Integrated Data for Decision-Making: How MSC-certified fishery growth and SFP’s integration of ISSF vessel- and supplier-level data support informed sourcing policies

Both events highlighted how complementary tools from ISSF, MSC, and SFP help companies meet evolving expectations for accountability and performance — from vessel-level transparency to verified sustainability commitments.

Dozens of participants engaged in the discussions, reinforcing the seafood sector’s shared commitment to advancing sustainable tuna fisheries. ISSF will continue this series in 2026 with region-specific briefings and additional opportunities to support partners in demonstrating credible, science-based progress.

Featured Content

ISSF on “How To Protect The Ocean”: Podcast Interviews Spotlight Our Work

ISSF has been featured in a series of episodes on the “How To Protect The Ocean” podcast, where our staff discuss the science, challenges, and progress behind sustainable tuna fishing, bycatch reduction, fishing-gear innovations, and broader industry transparency. The conversations offer listeners an inside look at how ISSF approaches conservation through science, collaboration, and market engagement.

Featured ISSF Episodes

Susan Jackson on “Tuna Sustainability and The Work of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation” In this episode, Susan shares highlights of ISSF’s 2024 Annual Report. She outlines how science, stakeholder-workshop outcomes, and new transparency tools — including expanded use of electronic monitoring and vessel-level compliance — are contributing to more sustainably managed tuna fisheries. Listen here.
Gala Moreno on “How to Protect Tuna: Insights from ISSF’s Gala Moreno on Sustainable Fisheries” Gala dives deep into the technical side of tuna fisheries: how fish-aggregating devices (FADs) work, why conventional FADs raise environmental concerns, and how ISSF is advancing non-entangling and biodegradable FADs — as well as acoustic-based species discrimination — to reduce bycatch and ecosystem impacts. Listen here.
Victor Restrepo on “The State of Tuna Fishing: What You Need to Know” Victor offers an accessible overview of the global tuna-fishing landscape, highlighting key trends in fishery performance and what they mean for sustainable management and ocean health. Listen here.

ISSF in the News
NGOs call for WCPFC to adopt transshipment rules, echo calls for South Pacific albacore management procedure
Seafood Source

ISSF: ICCAT 2025 delivers ‘mixed results’
World Fishing & Aquaculture

BLOG: ISSF on ICCAT Meeting Outcomes | PLUS New Management Procedures E-learning Series

Written by Lynne Mandel on November 26, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Mixed Results at ICCAT 2025: Skipjack Management Procedure Adoption Marks Progress, Other Key Reforms Slip to 2026 and Beyond

We evaluate the results of the meeting through the lens of the priorities highlighted in our October ICCAT preview: finalizing harvest strategies, scaling up electronic monitoring and observer coverage, and advancing bycatch mitigation and shark conservation.

FAO unveils “management procedures” e-learning series at ICCAT meeting
Virtual learning tool for harvest strategies that make fisheries sustainable and profitable

A five course FAO e-learning series on how to craft management procedures was unveiled for the first time at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), in Seville, Spain.

The series of five courses was developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the support of The Ocean Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, within the FAO Common Oceans Tuna project.

“Management procedures in tuna fisheries have achieved substantial and increasing accomplishments so far,” said Camille Jean Pierre Manel, Executive Secretary, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, “the e-Learning series will help ensure their continued success by enabling all members and stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to these processes and leading to more sustainable tuna fisheries going forward.”

Learn more

ISSF in the News

Securing the Pacific’s tuna future – ISSF issues priorities for WCPFC’s 22nd session
World Fishing & Aquaculture

ISSF urges the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to improve the management of FADs and transshipments on the high seas
Industrias Pesqueras