Author: Lynne Mandel

IOTC Advances Several Monitoring and Bycatch Priorities While Tuna Conservation Challenges Remain

Written by Lynne Mandel on May 18, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

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.

ISSF Welcomes New Environmental Stakeholder Committee Member | PLUS: Inside ISSF Accountability & Verified Transparency Initiatives Across Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on May 13, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Nina Rosen Joins ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee
New ESC Member Brings Expertise in Traceability, Transparency, and Fisheries Conservation

ISSF is pleased to announce the appointment of Nina Rosen to the Environmental Stakeholder Committee (ESC).

The ESC comprises representatives from conservation organizations who voluntarily contribute expertise and independent perspectives that help inform ISSF’s science-based work in global tuna fisheries. The Committee provides advice to the ISSF Board of Directors on issues for consideration before taking action on specific sustainability efforts, including the adoption of ISSF conservation measures. Through this collaborative structure, ISSF helps translate scientific recommendations and stakeholder expertise into practical action across tuna fisheries.

Ms. Rosen, who is currently a Project Director at FishWise, brings deep expertise in seafood traceability, supply chain transparency, and fisheries conservation to the ESC. She succeeds Sara Lewis as FishWise’s representative on the Committee.

“ISSF’s progress depends on bringing industry, scientists, and environmental organizations together around practical, science-based solutions,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF President. “Ms. Rosen’s experience in traceability, fisheries governance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration will contribute valuable expertise that informs ISSF conservation measures and broader efforts to advance transparency and accountability in global tuna fisheries.”

Featured Content

Inside ISSF Accountability
How Science-Based Conservation Measures Are Put Into Practice

ISSF conservation measures help translate scientific recommendations and sustainability priorities into practical action across global tuna fisheries. Implementation is supported through independently audited participating company compliance processes, public reporting, and vessel transparency initiatives that provide visibility into fishing practices and commitments.

As reported in February 2026, ISSF participating companies achieved a 99.62% conformance rate across all applicable ISSF conservation measures — marking the 10th consecutive year above 90% independently audited conformance.

ISSF conservation measures address priorities including bycatch mitigation, transshipment oversight, vessel monitoring and transparency, and traceability expectations. Each ISSF participating company undergoes independent third-party auditing by MRAG Americas, with individual company compliance reports publicly available on the ISSF website.

In February 2026, ISSF announced Conservation Measure 9.2, establishing requirements for third-party social audits at majority-owned or controlled land-based tuna production facilities operated by ISSF participating companies. The measure builds on ISSF’s broader efforts to support transparency, accountability, and independently verified practices across global tuna fisheries and associated supply chains.

Learn More About ISSF Conservation Measure 9.2

Review All ISSF Conservation Measures

Featured Resource

Tools Supporting Transparency Across Tuna Fisheries
PVR and VOSI Provide Public Visibility Into Vessel Practices and Commitments

ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) help support transparency across global tuna fisheries by providing public access to vessel-level sustainability information.

At the end of 2025, the PVR listed an all-time-high 1,839 vessels — representing approximately 83% of large-scale tropical tuna purse-seine fishing vessel hold capacity globally. VOSI also reached more than 1,200 vessel registrations, reflecting expanded tracking of vessel best practices across fleets.

The PVR includes vessels audited on their compliance with select sustainability measures directly linked to ISSF conservation measures. VOSI complements the PVR by providing visibility into additional vessel practices and sustainability initiatives beyond compliance requirements reflected on the PVR.

In 2025, ISSF redesigned the VOSI platform, expanding the range of best practices tracked — particularly for longline fisheries — including electronic monitoring participation, biodegradable FAD trials, FAD recovery initiatives, and shark conservation practices.

Together, these tools help provide stakeholders with verified, accessible information on vessel-level sustainability practices across global tuna fisheries.

Explore PVR and VOSI

Momentum in Tuna Fisheries | What’s Next for IOTC, Transshipment Oversight, & Global Progress

Written by Lynne Mandel on May 7, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

ICYMI

Bridging Critical Gaps for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries

When the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) convenes this month, it will be building from a period of tangible progress. Recent outcomes, like strengthened FAD management and the adoption of management procedures for key stocks, show what can be achieved when science-based recommendations are translated into action.

The focus now shifts to closing remaining gaps.

As detailed in the ISSF 2026 position statement, two priorities stand out: reinforcing tuna stock conservation through effective harvest strategies, and strengthening bycatch mitigation alongside the monitoring needed to support it.

Read the blog

Featured Content

Benchmarking Transshipment Oversight in Tuna Fisheries

ISSF report highlights progress and next steps for RFMO measures

At-sea transshipment is a common practice in global tuna fisheries, allowing vessels to transfer catch without returning to port. When not effectively monitored and regulated, it can increase the risk of misreporting and illegal fishing activities.

A new ISSF analysis benchmarks how tuna RFMOs manage this activity against the 2022 FAO Voluntary Guidelines — the first global framework for transshipment oversight.

All five tuna RFMOs have established core systems, including vessel authorization, observer coverage, and reporting requirements. No RFMO fully aligns with the FAO Guidelines, and gaps remain in areas such as risk-based oversight, data collection, and verification.

The report identifies practical steps to strengthen these systems, including improved data fields, stronger cross-checking of transshipment and landing information, and better coordination across regions.

Explore the full report

Featured Blog

World Tuna Day: Reflecting on Measurable Progress in Global Tuna Fisheries
World Tuna Day, observed each year on May 2, offers an opportunity to reflect on the state of one of the world’s most important seafood resources. This year also marks a milestone: 10 years since the United Nations formally established World Tuna Day, and more than a decade of sustained, measurable progress in global tuna fisheries.

Tuna fisheries operate in some of the most complex management environments in the world. Tuna are highly migratory species that cross national boundaries, multiple jurisdictions, and governance frameworks, and they are crucial to global food security, livelihoods, and international trade.

Addressing the sustainability challenges associated with tuna has never been the responsibility of any single entity. Progress at a global scale has required long‑term collaboration among scientists, five regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), government agencies, environmental organizations, and seafood companies across the tuna supply chain.

ISSF in the News

World Tuna Day, an increasingly sustainable resource: ISSF, Bermeo Tuna and Tunacons highlight the contribution of their fisheries

Industrias Pesqueras

Skipper Workshops advance practical science-based solutions in tuna fisheries on World Tuna Day 2026

FAO YouTube Channel

Celebrating World Tuna Day | How science-based action is improving tuna fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on April 30, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

ICYMI

ISSF Annual Report Highlights Gains in Tuna Fisheries

ISSF has released its 2025 annual report, Science Driving Measurable Progress, highlighting how sustained, science-based collaboration is delivering results across global tuna fisheries.

As ISSF President Susan Jackson notes in the report, the organization’s role is to connect “what science reveals, what fleets practice, what regulators require, and what the market expects” — ensuring that progress is both credible and sustained.

Read Science Driving Measurable Progress

Featured Content

Bridging Critical Gaps for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries

When the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) convenes in May, it will be building from a period of tangible progress. Recent outcomes, like strengthened FAD management and the adoption of management procedures for key stocks, show what can be achieved when science-based recommendations are translated into action.

The focus now shifts to closing remaining gaps.

Read the blog

Featured Resource

Interactive Stock Status and Catch Tool

Explore ISSF’s Interactive Stock Status and Catch Tool to view the latest data on tuna stock health and global catch trends. The tool brings together RFMO data in a clear, accessible format, helping users track how science-based management is shaping outcomes across fisheries.

Explore the data

ISSF in the News

TNC-backed Edge AI seeks to streamline electronic monitoring in the ongoing effort to fight IUU fishing

Global Seafood Alliance

Are These Oceanic Athletes Really Facing Collapse from Overfishing?

Yahoo! News

NEW: ISSF 2025 Annual Report | Science Driving Progress

Written by Lynne Mandel on April 23, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Annual Report Highlights Gains in Tuna Fisheries — and the Science and Collaboration Behind Them

ISSF has released its 2025 annual report, Science Driving Measurable Progress, highlighting how sustained, science-based collaboration is delivering measurable progress in tuna fisheries worldwide.

The report shows continued improvements in key indicators of sustainability. Today, 97% of the global tuna catch comes from stocks at healthy abundance levels, and almost 100% from stocks not experiencing overfishing — a significant increase over the past decade. At the same time, ISSF participating companies achieved a 99.62% conformance rate with conservation measures—independently audited and publicly reported — demonstrating strong implementation of science-based practices across the supply chain.

From advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management and improving fishing practices, to strengthening RFMO policies and expanding transparency tools like the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI), ISSF continues to bridge science, industry action, and policy outcomes.

Read Science Driving Measurable Progress

Featured Content

From Research to Real-World Application: Updated Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Fishing Practices
ISSF recently released the fourth edition of its Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Purse Seine Fishing Practices — a comprehensive and practical resource that shares up-to-date ISSF recommendations on the steps fishers can take to mitigate bycatch and protect non-target species and marine ecosystems.

“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.”

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.

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ICYMI

2026 IOTC Position Statement

ISSF released its 2026 position statement for the upcoming Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting, outlining science-based priorities to strengthen fisheries management, compliance, and transparency.

Read the Full Position Statement

ISSF in the News

Why Tuna Might Be Doing Better Than You Think
How to Protect the Ocean Podcast

Azul Sostenible Tv

ISSF: Informe sobre el estado mundial de las poblaciones de atunes

Victor Restrepo, ISSF Vice President, Science, is interviewed by Azul Sostenible TV.

Read More ISSF Coverage

Strengthening Tuna Fisheries Management Globally | PLUS New RFMO Priorities and Performance Insights

Written by Lynne Mandel on April 9, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

ICYMI

ISSF Publishes 2026 IOTC Position Statement Ahead of Annual Meeting

ISSF has released its 2026 position statement for the upcoming Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting, outlining science-based priorities to strengthen fisheries management, compliance, and transparency.

Among the key recommendations, ISSF calls for full implementation of the revised IOTC compliance assessment process to ensure robust and transparent accountability among member countries, particularly in addressing persistent gaps in reporting of fishery and FAD data and adherence to catch limits.

ISSF also urges adoption of precautionary catch limits for yellowfin tuna in line with scientific advice, improved management of skipjack and bigeye catches, and accelerated progress on harvest strategies for key stocks. Additional priorities include strengthening bycatch mitigation measures, advancing electronic monitoring and observer coverage, and improving vessel monitoring and transshipment controls.

Together, these recommendations reflect ISSF’s continued focus on science-based management and effective implementation to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean.

Read the Full Position Statement

Featured Resource

New Snapshot Highlights Progress and Gaps in RFMO Compliance Processes

ISSF has published an updated RFMO Best Practices Snapshot examining how tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) monitor and assess member compliance with conservation measures.

Effective compliance processes are fundamental to sustainable fisheries management, helping to build trust, improve transparency, and ensure that agreed measures are fully implemented.

The snapshot outlines the core elements of strong compliance systems, including information gathering, assessment, and follow-up, and evaluates how each RFMO performs against established best practices. While progress continues across regions, the analysis highlights ongoing gaps in areas such as transparency, verification of reporting, and consistent follow-up on non-compliance.

By identifying where improvements are needed, ISSF aims to support continued strengthening of RFMO compliance frameworks—an essential component of delivering measurable outcomes for tuna sustainability.

Explore the full snapshot

Featured Graphic

ISSF’s RFMO Best Practice Performance graphic provides a high-level view of how tuna RFMOs are progressing in implementing key best practices.

The visual “scorecard” compares performance across critical areas, including compliance processes, electronic monitoring and observer coverage, vessel monitoring systems, transshipment controls, and FAD management.

By highlighting both areas of progress and where further action is needed, the graphic underscores the importance of continued efforts to strengthen RFMO performance and deliver consistent, science-based management outcomes.

View

ISSF in the News

The Silver Lining in the Deep Blue

Fish Focus

ISSF calls on IOTC for more control, effective limits and increased electronic monitoring in the Indian Ocean

Europa Azul

Read More ISSF Coverage

NEW: Priorities for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries | PLUS The Quiet Success Story of Global Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on April 2, 2026. Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Publishes 2026 IOTC Position Statement

ISSF has released its position statement for the 2026 meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), outlining science-based priorities to strengthen tuna fisheries management in the region. The statement highlights key areas for action, including improved compliance processes, effective catch limits for tropical tuna, strengthened bycatch mitigation, expanded electronic monitoring, and enhanced transparency in vessel activity and transshipment. Together, these recommendations are designed to support measurable progress toward sustainable tuna fisheries and reinforce accountability across IOTC member countries.

Read the Full Position Statement

Featured Resource

Updated RFMO Snapshots Track Progress in Tuna Fisheries Management

ISSF has released updated editions of its RFMO Best Practices Snapshots, providing a concise overview of how the world’s tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) align with widely recognized best practices for sustainable fisheries management.

The snapshots summarize progress and remaining gaps across key policy areas, including harvest strategies, monitoring and compliance, management of fish aggregating devices (FADs), and bycatch mitigation measures. They are designed as quick reference tools for policymakers, seafood companies, NGOs, and other stakeholders seeking to understand how tuna RFMOs compare against established management benchmarks.

The series covers the five RFMOs responsible for tuna management globally: ICCAT, IOTC, IATTC, WCPFC, and CCSBT. By highlighting both improvements and opportunities for further action, the snapshots help inform ongoing RFMO discussions aimed at strengthening science-based management and long-term sustainability of tuna fisheries.

Read the Updated Series

Featured Content

Mapping the Global Network Supporting Sustainable Tuna Policies

ISSF has also updated its web feature examining the organizations and initiatives contributing to stronger tuna fisheries management worldwide.

“A Global View of ISSF & Tuna Industry Influence for Sustainable Fishing Policies” maps the network of industry, environmental organizations, and scientific partners working across four tuna RFMOs to advance science-based policies.

The feature highlights how collaboration among seafood companies, NGOs, research institutions, and other stakeholders contributes to policy progress on issues such as harvest strategies, monitoring and transparency, and bycatch mitigation. It also illustrates the geographic reach of these partnerships and their role in supporting improvements in tuna fisheries governance.

By visualizing these connections, the feature provides insight into the broader ecosystem of organizations contributing to sustainable tuna management and the collective influence shaping RFMO policy discussions.

Explore the Feature

ISSF in the News

The Quiet Success Story of Global Tuna Fisheries
Fish Focus

Read More ISSF Coverage

UPDATED: Tuna RFMO Snapshots | Tools & Insights Supporting Stronger Fisheries Management

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

Featured Resource

Updated RFMO Snapshots Track Progress in Tuna Fisheries Management

Read the Updated Series

Featured Content

Mapping the Global Network Supporting Sustainable Tuna Policies

ISSF has also updated its web feature examining the organizations and initiatives contributing to stronger tuna fisheries management worldwide.

Explore the Feature

ICYMI

ISSF Repeals Conservation Measure on Indian Ocean Yellowfin Tuna
The ISSF Board of Directors recently repealed 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.”

ISSF in the News

ISSF Releases Fourth Edition of Guidebook for Responsible Purse Seine Tuna Fishing
Sustainable Business Magazine

What seafood companies need to know about vessel-level due diligence
Seafood Source

Scientists in Nouméa are promoting a more ambitious ecosystem-based management approach for global tuna fisheries
Europa Azul

Read More ISSF Coverage

Advancing Sustainable Tuna Fisheries Through Collaboration and Science

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

Featured Content

Seafood Companies Collaborating Through ISSF to Advance Sustainable Tuna Fisheries

Collaboration across the seafood supply chain plays an important role in advancing sustainable tuna fisheries worldwide.

Today, 97% of the global commercial tuna catch comes from stocks at healthy abundance levels, according to ISSF’s Status of the Stocks report—reflecting decades of science-based fisheries management and coordinated action across governments, scientists, fishers, and seafood companies.

Through participation in the International Seafood Sustainability Association (ISSA), seafood companies work alongside scientists, environmental organizations, and other industry stakeholders to support science-based conservation measures, strengthen transparency, and advance responsible fishing practices. ISSA supports the work of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), whose initiatives focus on improving tuna fisheries through research, innovation, and the implementation of science-based best practices.

Participation in ISSA provides tuna companies with opportunities to:

Support the development and implementation of science-based conservation measures
Demonstrate sustainability commitments through independent audits against ISSF conservation measures
Access transparency tools that support responsible sourcing, including the ISSF ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI)
Collaborate with scientists, NGOs, and industry partners to advance improvements in global tuna fisheries

Retailer and buyer policies increasingly reference ISSF participation and the use of these transparency tools as part of their sustainability expectations.

Explore ISSF Participating Companies

Featured Resource

Why Seafood Companies Support ISSF

A downloadable resource highlights how participation in ISSF supports seafood companies working to advance sustainable tuna fisheries.

The guide outlines how participation helps companies:

Support science-based fisheries conservation
Demonstrate verified sustainability commitments
Access practical tools and resources developed by ISSF scientists and partners
Contribute to improvements in tuna fisheries management and fishing practices

Download the Guide

ICYMI

ISSF Adopts Conservation Measure on Social Audits for Land-Based Tuna Production Facilities

ISSF has adopted a 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 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.

Learn More

Featured Video

Workshop Explores Use of Acoustic Technology to Improve Fishing Selectivity

In 2025, ISSF convened purse-seine and pole-and-line fishers with fisheries scientists in Bermeo, Spain, to discuss how acoustic discrimination technology may help improve fishing selectivity and reduce bycatch.

The workshop was supported by ISSF, FAO, and AZTI and is part of ISSF’s ongoing collaboration with fishers and researchers to advance practical improvements in tuna fisheries.

Watch

ISSF in the News

ISSF Releases Fourth Edition of Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Purse Seine Fishing Practices
Fish Focus

ISSF Board Repeals Conservation Measure on Indian Ocean Yellowfin Tuna
Deeper Blue

Read More ISSF Coverage

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.

Learn more

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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