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Author: Lynne Mandel

Priorities for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries | Reviewing Our Top IOTC Asks

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

ICYMI

BLOG: The Need for Science-Based Conservation and Effective Monitoring in the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting presents a crucial opportunity for member nations to continue to increase cooperation toward the adoption of science-based tuna conservation measures; improved bycatch mitigation measures; and enhanced monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) mechanisms.

Without the adoption of catch limits and other management measures to ensure stringent adherence to such limits – all of which also demand robust compliance monitoring systems – the health of tuna stocks and the broader marine ecosystem remain at risk.

Continue reading the blog by Holly Koehler and Dr. Hilario Murua.

 

Featured Infographic

Impacts of FAD Use, Proposed Solutions, & RFMO Implementation Status

An updated infographic identifies solutions to several potential negative impacts of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and then tracks four tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations’ implementation of the solutions.

View

 

Featured Content

Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Global Tuna Fisheries: 2024 Updated Report

Global tuna fisheries are amongst the largest and most valuable marine capture fisheries in the world. As the climate continues to warm, it is critical to understand the scale of this industry’s fuel use and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhancing the sustainability of this fishery while contributing to global climate goals.

In 2010, Dr. Peter Tyedmers and Dr. Robert Parker undertook work for ISSF to quantify direct fuel use and associated GHG emissions from tuna fishing vessels for the 2009 fishing year. The current study by Dr. Tyedmers and Sarah Donovan serves as an update to the original assessment, providing a snapshot of fuel use and related GHG emissions estimate of global tuna fisheries and supporting activities as of 2023. By comparing the current findings with the earlier project results and data published in the literature, this report also aims to provide a sense of the trajectory of fuel use and resulting GHG emissions within tuna fisheries, as well as to identify opportunities for further improvement.

Read more

 

ISSF in the News

87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Abundance Levels

Perishable News

BLOG: Science-Based Conservation & Effective Monitoring in the Indian Ocean

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Maintaining Momentum for Sustainable Tuna Fisheries: The Need for Science-Based Conservation and Effective Monitoring in the Indian Ocean

The April 2025 Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting presents a crucial opportunity for member nations to continue to increase cooperation toward the adoption of science-based tuna conservation measures; improved bycatch mitigation measures; and enhanced monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) mechanisms.

Without the adoption of catch limits and other management measures to ensure stringent adherence to such limits – all of which also demand robust compliance monitoring systems – the health of tuna stocks and the broader marine ecosystem remain at risk.

Continue reading the blog by Holly Koehler & Dr. Hilario Murua.

 

ICYMI

IOTC Position Statement

ISSF released its position statement ahead of the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) April 13-17, 2025.

A French translation of the statement is available.

Review the Full Statement

 

Featured Video

Success in Research

ISSF President Susan Jackson highlights research outcomes that support long-term tuna fisheries sustainability. Jackson reviews ISSF work on acoustic discrimination technology to enable selective fishing and biodegradable fish aggregating device (FADs) that help minimize the ecosystem impacts of fishing.

Watch

 

ISSF in the News

Global tuna stocks report show sustainability progress

Undercurrent News

 

How to Protect Tuna: Insights from ISSF’s Gala Moreno on Sustainable Fisheries

How to Protect The Ocean Podcast

 

Understanding Tuna Stock Health | ISSF Resource Round Up

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

ICYMI

87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, about 87% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the March 2025 ISSF Status of the Stocks report, and that percentage is similar to findings shared in the previous November 2024 report. 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.

Learn More

ISSF produces other reports that are complementary to the Status of the Stocks report and are published as part of the our technical report series.

Additional related resources are available:

  • The Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) page of ISSF’s website provides additional information about the RFMOs: How they are structured, who are their members, how they obtain their scientific advice, how are decisions made, and what ISSF’s main advocacy asks are for each one.
  • Our MSC tuna fisheries list shows tuna fisheries worldwide that either have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or are currently undergoing a full assessment to become certified. The list is updated quarterly.
  • The tuna FIPs list shows publicly listed tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs) that are third-party verified. The list is updated quarterly.

 

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, and a third with catch trends by fishing method since 1950.

Explore Here

 

REPORT: 87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels | PLUS Priorities for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

87% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels

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

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, about 87% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the March 2025 ISSF Status of the Stocks report, and that percentage is similar to findings shared in the previous November 2024 report. 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.

Continue reading

 

 

Featured Content

ISSF Urges IOTC to Strengthen Compliance Processes, Tuna Stock Conservation, and More

ISSF has released its position statement ahead of the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) April 13-17, 2025.

The statement leads with a call to strengthen the management organization’s compliance processes and ensure robust and transparent assessment of IOTC member accountability. It goes on to detail priorities for Indian Ocean tuna stock conservation—including for yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye tuna—as well asks for improvements in FAD management, bycatch mitigation and shark protections, electronic monitoring and reporting and observer coverage, and more.

A French translation of the statement is available.

Review the full statement

 

 

Featured Video

Science First

ISSF President Susan Jackson discusses how ISSF takes a science-first approach to achieving the long term sustainability of global tuna fisheries.

Watch

 

 

ISSF in the News

Women in Seafood

FishFocus

Measuring Progress On Sustainability Commitments | PLUS Meet the ISSF Participating Companies

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Content

ISSF Participating Company Compliance Report Shows 99.1% Conformance with ISSF Conservation Measures

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) released its Update to ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report in November 2024, and it shows a conformance rate of 99.1% by 23 ISSF participating companies with all 33 ISSF conservation measures in effect.

This report updates the ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report published in June 2024 and reflects efforts by ISSF participating companies to improve on those instances where less than full compliance was achieved. Remedial audits, if any, take place between June and October each year against measures for companies with minor nonconformance or major nonconformance.

Following the remediation period since the annual compliance report in June 2024, 17 of 23 companies fully complied with 33 audited measures, five companies had one minor non-conformance, and one had two minor non-conformances. The 99.1% conformance rate is a slight increase from 98.95% in June.

Learn more

 

ISSF participating companies work with ISSF to advocate for improved fishery management, fund scientific advancements through research and expert analysis, and take direct action to encourage the adoption of responsible fishing practices — all while committing to a suite of conservation measures aimed at improving the long-term health of global tuna fisheries.

Meet the participating companies

 

Quote of Note

“In an era when sustainability pledges in the private sector are becoming increasingly commonplace, ISSF participating companies continue to stand out in their commitment to a rigorous, transparent audit and compliance process,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “We cannot take for granted the value of this consistent, public reporting on the business practices of the world’s leading tuna companies.”

 

Featured Video

Building on Our Successes – Transparent Accountability

ISSF President Susan Jackson discusses how ISSF is making transparent accountability in the global tuna industry possible.

Watch

INTERACTIVE MAP: Influencing for Sustainable Fishing Policies

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Resource

A Global View of Influence for Sustainable Fishing Policies

Beginning with a network of 23 leading seafood companies and extending to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified and -assessed 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.

View Story

 

ICYMI

Priorities for Tuna Fisheries Management in 2025

Each year, ISSF identifies priority actions for tropical-tuna regional fisheries management organizations (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 for 2025. An updated ISSF web page offers an overview. ISSF position statements — which we disseminate ahead of RFMO annual meetings and special sessions — explore and expand on these priority topics.

Learn more

 

ISSF in the News

Bycatch Solutions Showcase 2025

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership

 

These Common Fishing Devices Cause Major Problems, But Researchers Are Working to Make Them Better

Triple Pundit

 

 

Priorities for Tuna RFMOs in 2025 | FAD Management, Harvest Strategies, Electronic Monitoring, & More

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Content

Priorities for Tuna Fisheries Management in 2025

Each year, ISSF identifies priority actions for tropical-tuna regional fisheries management organizations (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 for 2025. An updated ISSF web page offers an overview. ISSF position statements — which we disseminate ahead of RFMO annual meetings and special sessions — explore and expand on these priority topics.

Learn more

 

Featured Video

Success In Advocacy

In a video exploring the ISSF Strategic Plan, Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability, ISSF President Susan Jackson reviews successes from our collaborative efforts to improve how tuna fisheries are managed—highlighting notable areas of progress like harvest strategies and FAD management.

Watch

 

Featured Resource

RFMOs have the legal frameworks, geographic scope, and membership to facilitate positive change across global tuna fisheries. Learn more about the world’s tuna RFMOs on the ISSF website.

Read more

 

ISSF in the News

Developing a blueprint for ecosystem-based tuna management

Fisker Forum

 

Op-Ed: Electronic monitoring revival shows we can still do hard things

World Fishing & Aquaculture (p 12)

 

Field Notes: ISSF Scientists Working toward Sustainable Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Scientists Share Knowledge for More Sustainable Tuna Fisheries   

ISSF scientists are traveling the world to share their research findings and insights — from meeting with fishers and fisheries managers to uncover new sustainability approaches to testing improved tuna fishing equipment in real world conditions. Read on for recent highlights from ISSF scientists in the field.

In Rome, ISSF Senior Scientist Dr. Hilario Murua participated in a recent meeting of 30 tuna fisheries managers and scientists, as well as industry and civil society representatives, to discuss how best to advance implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in tuna fisheries. The three-day FAO workshop was hosted by the Commons Oceans Tuna Project with support from its partner ISSF. Workshop participants aimed to develop a blueprint for the implementation of an ecosystem approach by the regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) with a mandate of promoting responsible tuna fisheries.

Read More from FAO

In San Sebastian, Spain, ISSF Senior Scientist Dr. Gala Moreno participated in a scientist-fisher workshop to co-design an improved fish aggregating device (FAD) design for testing in tuna fisheries. Dr. Moreno is part of the SEARCULAR team working closely with fishers to design and trial a new cost-effective and sustainable drifting FAD made from biodegradable materials. These eco-designed, biodegradable drifting FADs will prevent long-lasting plastics from building up in sensitive ecosystems while providing equal or better performance for fishers.

Read More from SEARCULAR

 

Featured Resources

Learn more about how ISSF investigates and promotes science-based approaches for ensuring the long-term sustainability of global tuna stocks and the marine ecosystem.

The ISSF team works collaboratively with peer scientists, academics, environmental experts, governing bodies, and other stakeholders on issues where we can advance our understanding about sustainable fishing — and make a positive impact.

We publish reports, develop resources, and host events that support fishery health in key areas: tuna conservation, fish aggregating device (FAD) management, marine ecosystem health, bycatch reduction, capacity management, and illegal fishing prevention.

See More

Our experts document activities and insights from ISSF at-sea research projects, international workshops and meetings, and fisheries data analysis.

Browse ISSF Reports

In addition to sharing research findings and analysis in ISSF reports, our scientists and advocacy experts co-author peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. See a list of peer-reviewed articles co-authored by our Staff, Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) members, or other scientists whose projects were partially or fully funded by ISSF.

Access Articles

ISSF scientists, collaborating researchers, and members of the ISSF SAC also submit papers to tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) on a variety of topics.

Peruse Tuna RFMO Papers

“Electronic monitoring revival shows we can still do hard things” | NEW Op-ed & Updated Resources

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Op-Ed: Electronic monitoring revival shows we can still do hard things

“This time last year, we were stuck. It seemed our once-energetic, innovative, tuna-centric community was still trying to shake off the gumption-deadening malaise of the 2020–2023 Covid-19 pandemic. After witnessing many years of progress toward global sustainability goals, I was so struck by this apparent loss of drive that I wrote a warning essay about what I saw: A widespread and alarming loss of urgency,” writes Susan Jackson, ISSF President.

“To drive my point home, I focused on one issue I consider the “poster child” of sustainability-enhancing technologies, onboard electronic monitoring systems (EMS). Quite bluntly, I called out a persistent failure to position electronic monitoring (EM) as the norm for ensuring independent observer coverage in the world’s tuna fisheries, despite technical advances in comparable fields and a drumbeat of science-based advocacy. Today, I’m happy to eat my words.”

Keep reading in World Fishing & Aquaculture (subscription required)

Featured Content

What is Electronic Monitoring?

An electronic monitoring system (EMS) is an advanced fishing-monitoring system installed in fishing vessels that integrates a set of components for continuously recording information during fishing trips. EMS largely consist of cameras integrated with GPS that register exact positions, and sensors that start recording when they detect specific actions on the vessels — such as setting or hauling fishing gear.

EMS, if properly installed and designed, can be considered a reliable and accurate method to estimate catches and monitor fishing activities onboard vessels. EMS can be valuable for science and compliance purposes.

Learn more by accessing relevant reports, op-eds, and infographics on our EM landing page on the ISSF website including a new fact sheet explaining how EMS help to support more sustainable tuna fishing.

Dive in 

ICYMI

BLOG ROUND UP: Reviewing Recent Outcomes for Tuna Fisheries 

As we look forward to another year of collaborative work at ISSF, we’re looking back at last year’s notable results. From electronic monitoring to FAD management, how did tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) progress priority areas of sustainable fisheries management?

Review Tuna RFMO Outcomes

Featured Graphic

An updated infographic shows how all tuna RFMOs have made progress in using electronic monitoring (EM) systems to provide on-board vessel monitoring.

RFMOs begin using data received from EM systems for scientific and/or compliance purposes approximately two years after the adoption of EM minimum standards: one year for program implementation, and an additional year for data review and submission. However, for those CPCs currently implementing an EM program, this timeline could be shortened to one year.

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Reviewing 2024 Outcomes for Tuna Fisheries

Written by Lynne Mandel on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Happy New Year! As we look forward to another year of collaborative work at ISSF, we’re looking back at notable results in 2024.

From electronic monitoring to FAD management, how did tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) progress priority areas of sustainable fisheries management?

Read on for a recap of 2024 outcomes, as reviewed by ISSF’s fisheries science and policy experts.

ISSF Welcomes Strong Outcomes for Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries at Management Meeting, including the Adoption of Minimum Standards for Electronic Monitoring

Strong Results at ICCAT Annual Session: New Tropical Tuna Measure and Management Procedure for Skipjack Tuna

Minimum Standards for Electronic Monitoring Is Top “Win” for Improved Tuna Fisheries Management at IATTC Annual Meeting

Indian Ocean Fisheries Managers Adopt Strongest FAD Management Measure Among Tuna RFMOs