Author: Lynne Mandel

87% of Global Tuna Catch from Healthy Stocks | PLUS: Priorities for EPO Tuna + Interactive Resources

Written by Lynne Mandel on August 28, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Report

87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels; 2% Requires Stronger Management

Catch from Overfished Stocks Decreased By Eight Percentage Points Versus November 2024 Report

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 87% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the March 2025 ISSF Status of the Stocks report, marking a one-percentage-point decrease compared to previous November 2024 report findings. Overfished stocks account for 2% of the total catch—down eight percentage points from the last report. The percentage of the catch that came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance is 10%—an eight-percentage-point increase from November 2024 findings.

Produced several times each year, the Status of the Stocks report presents a comprehensive analysis of tuna stocks by species. The Evaluation of the Sustainability of Global Tuna Stocks Relative to MSC Criteria provides scores for the stocks and RFMOs based on MSC assessment criteria. Together, these tools help define the continuous improvement achieved and the areas and issues that require more attention.

Learn more

ICYMI

BLOG: Securing the Future of Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries

The Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) is home to some of the world’s most productive tuna fisheries, supplying a vital source of protein to millions of people while sustaining coastal economies across the Americas and beyond. The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) plays a central role in ensuring these fisheries are managed sustainably. As delegates prepare for the IATTC’s 2025 Annual Meeting in September, ISSF is urging action on a set of science-driven priorities to safeguard the long-term health of tuna stocks and the ecosystems that support them.

Featured Resources

Verifying Seafood Industry Commitments

ISSF launched an in‑depth web feature spotlighting its ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report — an independent, third‑party audit report that benchmarks transparency and accountability among tuna companies and vessels.

The interactive feature highlights striking results: 99.6 % overall company compliance across 24 audited participants and a 77.5 % vessel pass rate on the ProActive Vessel Register. It also introduces first‑time audited outcomes for ISSF Conservation Measures 2.5 (transparency in reporting sustainable sourcing) and 1.3 (reducing Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna sourcing), underscoring progress in traceability and stock rebuilding efforts. Enhanced visuals detail roadmap commitments, audit scores, and vessel performance.

Dive in

A Global View of Influence for Sustainable Fishing Policies

Beginning with a network of 24 leading seafood companies and extending to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified tuna fisheries and tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs) — including stakeholders that ISSF technical experts engage with — ISSF’s advocacy partnerships have a broad global reach and impact. An updated Web feature visualizes that “influence network” in four major tuna fishing regions.

Explore

ISSF in the News

The global fleet of tropical tuna purse seiners is growing, but fishing capacity is barely growing.
Europa Azul

ISSF urges IATTC to adopt effective harvest strategies, increase observer ratios, and improve management measures for tuna in the EPO
Industrias Pesqueras

BLOG: Securing the Future of Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries | Our Priorities for the IATTC Annual Meeting

Written by Lynne Mandel on August 21, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Securing the Future of Eastern Pacific Tuna: ISSF’s 2025 Priorities for the IATTC

The 2025 ISSF position statement emphasizes three interconnected areas: adopting effective harvest strategies; strengthening electronic monitoring (EM) and increasing observer coverage; and implementing science-based tuna conservation measures. Together, these steps can help secure the future of the region’s fisheries, supporting healthy marine ecosystems and responsible resource stewardship.

Featured Graphic

Tuna RFMOs and the Development of MSE and Precautionary Management Procedures for Tunas

This timeline graphic shows 2011–2024 milestones in efforts by all tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) to develop management strategy evaluations (MSE) and precautionary management procedures (MP) for albacore, bigeye, bluefin, and skipjack tuna stocks.

View the graphic

ICYMI

Updated ISSF Report Assesses Tuna Stock Sustainability Against MSC Criteria

12 of 23 Global Tuna Stocks Meet MSC Principle 1 Benchmark; 7 of 23 Stocks Have Harvest Control Rules for Sustainable Management

ISSF has published the latest edition of its comprehensive report, An Evaluation of the Sustainability of Global Tuna Stocks Relative to Marine Stewardship Council Criteria. The report assesses the 23 major commercial tuna stocks worldwide against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, offering an informed view of global progress and remaining gaps in achieving tuna fisheries sustainability.

Learn more

ISSF in the News

ISSF finds minimal lift in large-scale tropical tuna purse seine capacity

Undercurrent News

ISSF Releases 2025 Snapshot of Large-Scale Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets

Fish Focus

2025 Tuna Fleet Snapshot: Growth with Stable Capacity | ISSF report tracks global purse-seine trends & sustainability progress

Written by Lynne Mandel on August 14, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Releases 2025 Snapshot of Large-Scale Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets

Report Shows 3.8% Growth in Vessel Numbers with Minimal Capacity Increase; 74% of Vessels Listed on ISSF ProActive Vessel Register

ISSF has released its updated Snapshot of the Large-Scale Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets report, a unique global assessment of vessel capacity trends in tropical tuna fisheries. The authors estimate that, as of June 2025, 675 large-scale purse-seine (LSPS) vessels are fishing for tropical tuna species — an increase of 3.8% compared to last year — with a combined fish hold volume (FHV) of over 864,000 m³(cubic meters), representing a less than 0.2% increase from last year in overall fishing capacity.

“ISSF is the only organization that aggregates and analyzes global capacity data for these fleets year over year,” said Dr. Victor Restrepo, ISSF Vice President of Science. “Our snapshot series provides science-based insights to support RFMO and industry decision-making on sustainable tuna fishing capacity management — an issue central to long-term ocean health.”

LSPS vessels, defined as those with at least 335 m³ in FHV, account for the majority of the world’s tropical tuna catch. To update the report, ISSF compiles data from RFMO vessel registries and other sources, focusing on vessels targeting skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna.

ISSF in the News

Reeling in Responsibility: The Path to Sustainable Tuna Fisheries
Like many fish populations, several species of tuna faced steep declines over the past few decades. Thanks to regional management and other efforts to promote sustainable tuna fisheries, some are bouncing back.

Featured Video

Science First
In this brief video, ISSF President Susan Jackson shares how science drives our mission — ensuring healthy tuna stocks, reducing bycatch, and supporting continuous improvement in fisheries management. By uniting scientists, managers, and fishers around the best available data, we can achieve lasting sustainability for tuna and the oceans we all depend on.

Watch

Global Tuna Stocks Assessed Against MSC Standard | Updated Reports Track Tuna Sustainability and Industry Compliance Progress

Written by Lynne Mandel on July 31, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Updated ISSF Report Assesses Tuna Stock Sustainability Against MSC Criteria

12 of 23 Global Tuna Stocks Meet MSC Principle 1 Benchmark;
7 of 23 Stocks Have Harvest Control Rules for Sustainable Management

ISSF has published the latest edition of its comprehensive report, An Evaluation of the Sustainability of Global Tuna Stocks Relative to Marine Stewardship Council Criteria. The report assesses the 23 major commercial tuna stocks worldwide against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, offering an informed view of global progress and remaining gaps in achieving tuna fisheries sustainability.

This edition applies v3.1 of the MSC Fisheries Standard, evaluating tuna stock health (MSC Principle 1) and the effectiveness of regional management frameworks (part of MSC Principle 3). The report’s insights are useful in informing seafood stakeholders and policymakers about where improvements are most needed to meet rigorous sustainability benchmarks.

Learn More

Featured Graphic

An updated graphic, based on data from the 2025 report An Evaluation of the Sustainability of Global Tuna Stocks Relative to Marine Stewardship Council Criteria, shows what the average scores based on Principle 1 have been since 2013, and how they have changed over time.

The MSC’s Principle 1 states: “A fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to overfishing or depletion of the exploited populations and, for those populations that are depleted, the fishery must be conducted in a manner that demonstrably leads to their recovery.”

Download

ICYMI

Verifying Seafood Industry Commitments

ISSF launched an in‑depth web feature spotlighting its latest ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report — an independent, third‑party audit report that benchmarks transparency and accountability among tuna companies and vessels.

The interactive feature highlights striking results: 99.6 % overall company compliance across 24 audited participants and a 77.5 % vessel pass rate on the ProActive Vessel Register. It also introduces first‑time audited outcomes for ISSF Conservation Measures 2.5 (transparency in reporting sustainable sourcing) and 1.3 (reducing Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna sourcing), underscoring real progress in traceability and stock rebuilding efforts. Enhanced visuals detail roadmap commitments, audit scores, and vessel performance — bringing full clarity to the tuna supply chain. This feature reinforces ISSF’s leadership in driving verifiable sustainability and elevating expectations for industry accountability.

Dive In

ISSF in the News

ISSF urges stronger tuna protections
World Fishing & Aquaculture

Latest ISSF report shows its members holding fast on commitment to sustainable tuna
Seafood Source

ISSF’s 2025 IATTC Priorities Released | Science-based asks for EPO tuna management

Written by Lynne Mandel on July 24, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Shares 2025 Position Statement Ahead of IATTC Annual Meeting

Ahead of the September 2025 Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) meeting, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published its annual position statement, outlining science-based priorities to strengthen Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) tuna fisheries management. The recommendations focus on advancing precautionary measures, improving monitoring, and safeguarding marine ecosystems—key steps toward long-term sustainability.

ISSF’s top asks include:

Accelerating the adoption of harvest strategies for tropical tunas
Enhancing electronic monitoring and requiring 100% observer coverage for both longline and small purse seine vessels
Implementing stronger rules and tracking for fish aggregating devices (FADs)
Improving compliance through standardized reporting and performance metrics

ISSF also calls for improved bycatch mitigation and stronger regulation of at-sea transshipment. These priorities build on IATTC’s recent progress and aim to ensure that science-based, transparent management remains central to regional fisheries governance.

Read the full statement

Featured Tool

Updated VOSI: Track Vessel Sustainability Participation
ISSF has expanded its Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) verified transparency tool to include new vessel-level best practices on bycatch mitigation—giving stakeholders deeper insights into vessel commitments.

Explore VOSI

Featured Resource

RFMO Best Practices Snapshots
IATTC is an RFMO best practice leader in two critical areas of fisheries management – supply and tender vessel and FAD management. To learn more, peruse our RFMO Best Practices Snapshots, which identify best practices that Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) should follow to manage tuna fisheries sustainably.

In detailed tables, the snapshots compare tuna RFMO progress in implementing the practices. We also publish companion “best-practices reports” on these topics and “RFMO progress” infographics.

RFMO Best Practices Snapshot: Treatment of Supply & Tender Vessels by RFMO

RFMO Best Practices Snapshot: FAD Management

ISSF in the News

ISSF members report compliance in tuna fishing sustainability objectives
Undercurrent News

Fishing Industry Makes Progress Towards Tuna Sustainability and Conservation
Deeper Blue

Verifying Seafood Industry Commitments | NEW Interactive Web Feature

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

Featured Content

Verifying Seafood Industry Commitments

ISSF’s Compliance Program Advances Tuna Sustainability

ISSF launched an in‑depth web feature spotlighting its latest ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report — an independent, third‑party audit report that benchmarks transparency and accountability among tuna companies and vessels.

The interactive feature highlights striking results: 99.6 % overall company compliance across 24 audited participants and a 77.5 % vessel pass rate on the ProActive Vessel Register. It also introduces first‑time audited outcomes for ISSF Conservation Measures 2.5 (transparency in reporting sustainable sourcing) and 1.3 (reducing Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna sourcing), underscoring real progress in traceability and stock rebuilding efforts. Enhanced visuals detail roadmap commitments, audit scores, and vessel performance — bringing clarity to the tuna supply chain. This feature reinforces ISSF’s leadership in driving verifiable sustainability and elevating expectations for industry accountability.

Dive In

ICYMI

ISSF Expands Tuna Vessel Best Practices Tracked in VOSI Transparency Tool

Redesigned Platform Now Verifies More Bycatch Mitigation Measures, Including for Sharks and Sea Turtles

ISSF recently released a fully redesigned version of its Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) resource — a one-of-a-kind global transparency tool that offers retailers and other stakeholders across the seafood supply chain insights into tuna vessel participation in Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries, fishery improvement projects (FIPs), and best-practice sustainability initiatives.

Learn More

ISSF in the News

Tuna industry hits sustainability milestone

World Fishing & Aquaculture

ISSF Annual Compliance Report

Fish Focus

99.6% Compliance & New Tuna Sustainability Measures | NEW REPORT: ISSF Conservation Measures & PVR Vessel Compliance

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

Featured News

ISSF Annual Compliance Report Highlights Industry Progress in Tuna Sustainability and New Conservation Requirements

Report shows 99.6% conformance by participating companies with 33 ISSF conservation measures and 77.5% conformance by PVR-listed vessels with 12 measures

ISSF has published its latest ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report, showcasing the continued commitment of participating companies to sustainable tuna fisheries and responsible supply chains.

For the 2024 audit period, the 24 ISSF participating companies achieved a 99.6% conformance rate across 33 ISSF conservation measures. The report also presents the first audited results for Conservation Measure (CM) 2.5 – Transparency in Reporting Progress Against ISSF’s Five-Year Goal and for the reduction in sourcing Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna, newly in effect under CM 1.3 – IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding. In addition, it summarizes the aggregate compliance of vessels on the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) with ISSF measures applicable to vessel operations.

Read the Report

Feature Content

New and Notable ISSF Conservation Measures Audited

The ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report shows that, 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,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “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.”

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.

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,” said Dr. Victor Restrepo, Chair, ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee. “Taken together, ISSF participating companies reduced sourcing of Indian Ocean yellowfin by 32.5%, well exceeding the intended goal of CM 1.3.”

“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.”

Learn More

ISSF in the News

Tuna Sustainability and The Work of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
How To Protect The Ocean Podcast

ISSF Expands Tuna Vessel Best Practices Tracked in VOSI Transparency Tool
Fish Focus

New VOSI Platform | More Verified Sustainability Actions, Now Easier to Track

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

Featured News

ISSF Expands Tuna Vessel Best Practices Tracked in VOSI Transparency Tool

ISSF has released a fully redesigned version of its Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) tool — a one-of-a-kind global transparency resource that enables seafood supply chain stakeholders to assess tuna vessel participation in MSC-certified fisheries, fishery improvement projects (FIPs), and other best-practice sustainability initiatives.

The redesigned VOSI expands the number of vessel best practices it tracks to reflect the latest science and evolving industry standards. 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

The enhanced tool also continues to report on other practices, from non-entangling and biodegradable FAD use to electronic monitoring and MSC Improvement Program participation. All listed commitments are independently verified by MRAG Americas through an annual documentation review process, ensuring that vessel-reported actions are both credible and transparent.

“This VOSI evolution enhances transparency while supporting market-based and NGO-driven efforts to improve tuna fishery practices worldwide,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson.

VOSI’s expanded capabilities support broader initiatives like The Nature Conservancy’s Tuna Transparency Pledge, which calls for 100% on-the-water monitoring across tuna fleets. Stakeholders such as The Nature Conservancy and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) have commended the VOSI platform for bringing clarity and accountability to sustainability pledges.

A new, intuitive platform interface makes it easier than ever for users — from retailers and NGOs to certification bodies — to filter vessels by specific sustainability practices, vessel flag, or identifier. Quick links to ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) data and exportable vessel profiles help create a seamless user experience.

More than 800 vessels are represented on the VOSI platform.

Explore the redesigned tool: https://www.iss-foundation.org/vessel-and-company-commitments/vessels-in-other-sustainability-initiatives-vosi/vosi-tool/

Vessel owners interested in applying: Apply to VOSI

ICYMI

Scientific Achievements in Sustainable Tuna Fishing

The ISSF 2024 annual report, Science Leads the Way, spotlights the organization’s global efforts to drive sustainability in tuna fisheries through science-based solutions, industry engagement and policy advocacy.

With nearly half of ISSF’s budget dedicated to science in 2024, the report details a year rich with research milestones, collaborative partnerships and field-level impacts — efforts collectively aimed at ISSF’s ultimate objective: helping tuna fisheries to meet and maintain the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard criteria. From publishing the first “jelly-FAD” construction guide on biodegradable, non-entangling fishing gear to organizing 34 workshops for tuna fishers worldwide, ISSF continues to place science at the core of its efforts.

“ISSF uses the power of the scientific process to illuminate ways to continuously improve sustainable tuna-fishing policies,” Susan Jackson, ISSF President, remarks in the report. “In the big picture of fishery sustainability, solution-oriented science is essential for sound policy. Our research can have the most impact when RFMOs and government agencies are able to leverage it to enact optimal conservation measures for fisheries.”

ISSF in the News

Vietnam-based KTCFOOD joins International Seafood Sustainability Foundation

Seafood Source

Six nations representing 15% of global tuna catch join transparency pledge

Undercurrent News

Recognizing World Sea Turtle Day | Protecting Sea Turtles in Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on June 16, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

June 16 marks World Sea Turtle Day — a moment to reflect on the importance of protecting these iconic marine species, which face numerous threats including incidental capture in global fisheries. Many sea turtle populations are in decline and are protected under international agreements and national laws.

Tuna fisheries, including longline and purse-seine operations, must take proactive steps to reduce sea turtle bycatch and ensure safe handling and release when interactions occur. ISSF works with scientists, fishers, seafood companies, and conservation organizations to reduce the impact of tuna fishing on sea turtle populations. Our efforts span at-sea mitigation, gear innovation, fisher education, and nesting conservation.

Nesting Site Protection: Local Projects, Global Impact

Safeguarding nesting sites is critical to sea turtle recovery. Threats such as coastal development, predation, and human disturbance can devastate hatchling survival rates.

Through an annual fund exceeding $100,000, ISSF supports on-the-ground nesting and community outreach projects in countries such as Brazil, Tanzania, Peru, and Oman. These projects—made possible by ISSF Participating Companies including Bumble Bee, Thai Union, TriMarine, and StarKist—protect beaches, engage communities, and help rebuild sea turtle populations.

View ISSF-Funded Sea Turtle Conservation Projects

Bycatch Mitigation: Tools, Training & Best Practices

Sea turtle bycatch in purse-seine fisheries generally results in high survival rates — with over 90% of turtles released alive. In longline fisheries, however, sea turtles are more frequently hooked, and mortality risks are higher.

To reduce bycatch and improve survival:

ISSF hosts longline skipper workshops focused on safe handling and release.
We publish guides, posters, and infographics to promote onboard best practices.
We support gear modifications, like wide circle hooks, fish bait use, and deep-set lines to minimize turtle interactions.

Download the Longline Skippers Guidebook

Preventing Entanglement: FAD Innovation

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) with netting can entangle sea turtles. That’s why ISSF promotes the use of non-entangling, biodegradable FADs—solutions that protect marine life while supporting sustainable fishing.

Our Jelly-FAD Construction Guide outlines a nearly 100% biodegradable, non-entangling design that helps fishers reduce ocean plastics and protect vulnerable species.

Download the Jelly-FAD Guide

Conservation in Action: ISSF CM 3.6

ISSF Conservation Measure (CM) 3.6 supports bycatch reduction in longline fisheries by requiring ISSF Participating Companies to engage only with vessels that follow best practices for minimizing interactions with sharks, sea turtles, and seabirds.

In the latest audit cycle, 100% of ISSF Participating Companies conformed with CM 3.6—demonstrating real progress toward responsible tuna sourcing.

Review CM 3.6

Featured Resource: “Saving Sea Turtles” Infographic

This visual guide helps fishers identify safe handling techniques to maximize survival after incidental capture.

Download the Infographic

World Oceans Day 2025 | Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us

Written by Lynne Mandel on June 11, 2025. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

World Oceans Day 2025: Sustaining What Sustains Us

How ISSF Advances the “Wonder” of Our Ocean Planet

As World Oceans Day was celebrated on June 8 and the UN Ocean Conference continues, ocean conservation remains in sharp focus this week. This year’s World Oceans Day theme, Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us, invites reflection on the remarkable life systems the ocean supports, and our shared responsibility to protect them. At ISSF, that mission is central to everything we do.

From safeguarding tuna stocks to supporting ocean biodiversity and promoting industry accountability, here are five ways ISSF delivers on this powerful theme:

1. Driving Science-Based Tuna Sustainability

Tuna species are essential—as a food source for millions of people, a pillar of the global economy, and a vital component of marine ecosystems.

Through science and advocacy—from our Status of the Stocks report to attending Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) meetings—ISSF supports the effective, science-based conservation and management of tuna resources globally. We provide data, best-practices recommendations, and other expertise that vessels, seafood companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), RFMOs and government agencies can rely on to maintain healthy tuna populations.

Learn more: ISSF Status of the Stocks Report

2. Reducing Ocean Plastics with Innovative Fishing Gear

We promote the use of non-entangling and biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) that reduce marine debris and protect vulnerable species like sharks and sea turtles. Our research on “jelly-FADs” is helping phase out gear that risks entangling marine life.

Explore our work: Fresh Thinking About FADs

3. Enhancing Transparency at Sea

Through platforms like the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI), we publicly track and verify vessel-level sustainability practices, including the use of electronic monitoring systems and non-entangling FADs. These tools provide insight into commitments to best practices beyond regulatory requirements.

Learn more: Verified Vessel Lists

4. Protecting Ocean Biodiversity Through Bycatch Mitigation

Bycatch reduction is critical to marine conservation. ISSF collaborates with scientists and fishers to develop, test, and promote tools and practices that help marine life like turtles, rays, and seabirds avoid capture. Our library of bycatch mitigation resources offers practical guidance, much of which is adopted by fleets around the world.

Explore our work: Reducing Bycatch in Tuna Fisheries

5. Educating & Engaging the Global Tuna Community

From fishers and scientists to retailers and NGOs, ISSF offers tools and expert guidance that help diverse stakeholders drive progress. Our evolving website offers on-demand access to trusted data, research, and outreach tools — helping the global tuna community work together toward a more sustainable future.

Featured resource: Fisher Outreach Program Overview