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ISSF Expands Tuna Vessel Best Practices Tracked in VOSI Transparency Tool

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has 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.

The VOSI plays a vital role in strengthening transparency and accountability in the global tuna supply chain by showing vessel participation in sustainability initiatives that go beyond regulatory compliance. With this redesign, ISSF expands the number of best practices VOSI tracks, especially for longline vessels, to reflect emerging science and industry standards. Newly tracked practices, for example, focus on vessel efforts to reduce bycatch of vulnerable species such as sharks and sea turtles. These items include:

  • Use of circle hooks
  • Use of finfish bait
  • Use of monofilament branch lines
  • Landing sharks with fins naturally attached (FNA)
  • Avoiding the use of shark lines

“This VOSI evolution enhances transparency while supporting market-based and NGO-driven efforts to improve tuna fishery practices worldwide,” said Susan Jackson, President of ISSF. “By connecting policy with practical, on-the-water implementation, VOSI reinforces the industry’s movement toward greater accountability and science-based progress in tuna fisheries.”

In addition to this new data, the VOSI continues to provide important information about vessels’ other sustainable-fishing activities, including:

  • Use of fully non-entangling FADs (no netting)
  • Provision of echosounder data on tuna biomass under FADs
  • Daily position reporting from FAD buoys
  • Participation in biodegradable FAD (bio-FAD) trials
  • Engagement in lost/abandoned FAD recovery programs
  • Operation in a FIP or MSC-certified fishery
  • Participation in an MSC Improvement Program

All sustainability commitments by VOSI-listed vessels are independently verified by MRAG Americas, a third-party auditor, which reviews supporting documentation submitted annually by vessel owners. This rigorous audit process ensures that sustainability commitments are not only transparent but credible. The VOSI was launched in 2020 and is one of four public vessel lists/tools — including the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) — maintained by ISSF.

Enhanced Tool Is Aligned with Global Efforts for Tuna Transparency

VOSI is one of several core tools aligned with the Tuna Transparency Pledge, an initiative led by ISSF NGO partner The Nature Conservancy that brings governments, markets and seafood companies together to commit to 100% on-the-water monitoring of tuna fleets.

“By making vessel-level practices, such as electronic monitoring implementation, verified and visible, VOSI empowers stakeholders to reward transparency and accelerate change,” said Ben Gilmer, Director of Ocean Transparency at The Nature Conservancy and Member, ISSF Board of Directors. “It helps bridge the gap between pledges and implementation — showing what’s actually happening on the water, vessel by vessel.”

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) also highlights VOSI as a key resource for evaluating the sustainability efforts of individual vessels in tuna supply chains.

“The market needs confidence that sustainability pledges are more than just words — and that’s where VOSI adds real value,” said Kathryn Novak, Biodiversity and Nature Director at SFP. “The tool gives visibility into vessel use of best practices like shark and turtle bycatch mitigation and FAD recovery — and, importantly, these actions are independently verified. It’s a resource that brings much-needed transparency to the supply chain and helps align procurement with science-based sustainability expectations.”

New VOSI Format Puts Verified Sustainability Data at Users’ Fingertips

The updated VOSI interface improves functionality and usability for a broad range of users — from seafood buyers and retailers to NGOs and certification bodies — through a more intuitive, user-driven experience.

By allowing visitors to search or filter vessels based on customized criteria, such as initiative type, vessel flag, or unique vessel identifier, the platform provides streamlined access to vessel sustainability profiles in a visual, card-based layout. The redesign also integrates quick access to PVR data without leaving the VOSI page, enabling holistic evaluation of vessel-level commitments to tuna sustainability.

The redesigned interface also features new filters to help users identify vessels that support specific best practices and links each vessel profile directly to related PVR compliance data — offering a consolidated view of each vessel’s sustainability performance. Users also can “pin” vessel cards of interest and copy and export vessel information.

More than 800 vessels worldwide are represented on the VOSI. To explore the new VOSI tool, which does not require an account to use, visit the ISSF website: https://www.iss-foundation.org/vessel-and-company-commitments/vessels-in-other-sustainability-initiatives-vosi/vosi-database/

Vessels interested in applying to be registered on the VOSI can learn more at https://www.iss-foundation.org/vessel-and-company-commitments/vessels-in-other-sustainability-initiatives-vosi/apply-to-the-vosi/

ISSF Welcomes Vietnam’s KTCFOOD as a New Participating Company

Vietnam-based KTCFOOD has joined ISSF as its newest participating company. By aligning with ISSF — recognized as a leading force in the long-term conservation and sustainable use of global tuna fisheries — KTCFOOD will support science-based conservation initiatives, contribute to sustainability-focused research, and help promote responsible fishing policies and practices worldwide.

“KTCFOOD’s decision to join ISSF reflects a commitment to investing in a better future for tuna fisheries through credible, science-based action,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF President. “We are proud to welcome them to our global network of changemakers. With every new partner, we strengthen our commitment to building a seafood supply chain that is more transparent and sustainable — while advancing the health of tuna stocks and protecting the broader marine ecosystem through collaborative conservation efforts.”

A leading manufacturer and exporter of canned seafood, including tuna, mackerel and sardines, KTCFOOD distributes to more than 36 countries worldwide. The company is a three-time recipient of the Vietnam Value Award, an honor granted by the Vietnamese government to businesses demonstrating excellence in quality, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

What It Means to Be an ISSF Participating Company

Participating in the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) signals a company’s commitment to protecting ocean health and ensuring the long-term sustainability of tuna fisheries worldwide. ISSF brings together seafood companies, scientists, and conservationists to advance practical, science-based solutions that reduce bycatch, protect ecosystems, and improve the management of tuna stocks.

Companies like KTCFOOD that join ISSF voluntarily commit to comply with the Foundation’s rigorous conservation measures and are independently audited each year to demonstrate transparency and accountability. These audit results are shared publicly to foster trust and encourage continuous progress.

Through participation in ISSF, companies contribute to:

  • Improving the sustainability of tuna fishing by aligning operations with global best practices
  • Promoting ocean conservation through science-driven innovations and responsible fishing methods
  • Increasing transparency across the seafood supply chain with independent audits and public reporting
  • Working together for impact by engaging with leading scientists and policy advocates to shape a healthier future for our oceans

A Growing Network of Sustainability Leaders

Since its launch in 2009, ISSF has grown from eight to 24 participating companies, including global brands across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Pacific Islands and Asia. These companies include:

Founding Companies Participating Companies
Bolton Food Chotiwat
The Bumble Bee Seafood Company Everwin
Princes Group Foodtech
SeaValue Frinsa
StarKist General Tuna (Century Pacific)
Thai Union Europe Isabel
Thai Union COSI Jealsa Foods, S.A.U.
Tri Marine Kingfisher Foods
KTCFOOD
Pataya
PT Aneka Tuna Indonesia
RS Cannery
Salica
South Seas
Thunnus Overseas
Tropical

Tuna companies interested in partnering with ISSF can learn more about how to apply for participation here.

About the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF)

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) — a global coalition of seafood companies, fisheries experts, scientific and environmental organizations, and the vessel community — promotes science-based initiatives for long-term tuna conservation, FAD management, bycatch mitigation, marine ecosystem health, capacity management, and illegal fishing prevention. Helping global tuna fisheries meet and maintain sustainability criteria to achieve the Marine Stewardship Council certification standard is ISSF’s ultimate objective. To learn more, visit iss-foundation.org, and follow ISSF on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About KTCFOOD

KTCFOOD — founded in 2012 and based in Kien Giang, Vietnam — is a large-scale canned seafood manufacturer and exporter specializing in canned tuna, sardines and mackerel products. It is certified by the Food and Drug Administration and the food safety management system — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points — the International Featured Standard and the International Organization for Standardization 22000. KTCFOOD is also Halal and Kosher certified. From Vietnam to tables worldwide, KTCFOOD is committed to delivering trusted and nutritious seafood to consumers.

Science Leads the Way: ISSF Publishes 2024 Annual Report Highlighting Scientific Achievements in Sustainable Tuna Fishing

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) today released its 2024 annual report, Science Leads the Way, spotlighting 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.”

Science Leads the Way reviews ISSF’s continued global collaborations, marine research projects and advocacy efforts to identify and promote best practices in tuna and ocean conservation with fishers, tuna companies and tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). The report also covers ISSF’s activities with peer environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and scientific agencies and highlights its work to promote verified accountability in sustainability commitments across the tuna supply chain.

Jackson continued, “The work that ISSF is so fortunate to do depends on a global community — conservation-minded fleets, progressive seafood companies and retailers, persevering researchers, innovative manufacturers, dynamic NGOs, and committed RFMOs and governments — cooperating across continents to protect ocean resources.”

2024 Highlights from Science Leads the Way

  • Electronic Monitoring Milestone: Support of RFMOs in adopting standards for fleets to use electronic monitoring (EM) — and providing resources to assist vessels in transitioning to EM technology. As of year-end, all four tropical tuna RFMOs have adopted minimum standards for EM use.
  • Breakthrough on Jelly-FADs: The release of a fisher construction guide for building nearly 100% biodegradable FADs marks a key step toward reducing ocean plastics and bycatch risks.
  • Scientific Output: Co-authoring 16 peer-reviewed journal articles and participating in 36 coordinated research projects and 56 RFMO meetings demonstrates ISSF’s robust scientific engagement and leadership.
  • Supporting Sustainability Certification: Advancing MSC fishery certification and assessment processes for the world’s tuna fisheries by submitting 77 stakeholder submissions to 62 fisheries.
  • In-the-field Outreach: 523 participants attended ISSF-organized or -supported fishers workshops, with sessions focusing on FAD retrieval, bycatch mitigation and best practices for longline fishers.
  • Global Advocacy Alignment: Analysis of RFMO statements showed a 90% alignment between ISSF’s priorities and those of nearly 50 other environmental NGOs.

Driving Industry Accountability and Transparency

Science Leads the Way also highlights increasing tuna supply chain accountability through ISSF programs and tools for verified tuna company and fishing vessel transparency. As of year-end:

  • The ProActive Vessel Register listed an all-time high of 1,739 vessel registrations, showing vessels of all gears and representing over 80% of the global large-scale purse-seine vessel fish hold volume. ISSF also reached 808 vessel registrations, a 63% year-over-year increase, on its Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) resource.
  • 17 of 23 ISSF participating companies achieved full conformance with ISSF’s 33 conservation measures, verified through third-party audits and publicly reported on the ISSF website.

Explore the Interactive Report

Downloadable infographics, links to related reports, and interactive content on the ISSF website are also available throughout the Science Leads the Way PDF. The full 2024 annual report is available at iss-foundation.org/annual-report.

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

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, about 87% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the March 2025 International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (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.

Changes in stock status ratings since the November 2024 report are limited to Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna. The abundance or spawning biomass (SSB) rating for Indian Ocean yellowfin improved from orange to yellow, and the exploitation rate or fishing mortality (F) rate for the stock improved from orange to green.

New for this year’s report is more detail in the color ratings table for each tuna stock.  The color ratings table, which appears at the end of each tuna stock summary, now contains a more detailed rationale for the stock’s SSB and F ratings. This additional information provides important context, especially when ISSF ratings for a stock are not identical to the RFMO science body ratings, as currently is the case for Indian Ocean yellowfin and Pacific Ocean bluefin.

According to the March 2025 report, these stocks are considered overfished and/or subject to overfishing:

  • The Indian Ocean bigeye stock is overfished and subject to overfishing, unchanged since the November 2024 report.
  • Pacific Ocean bluefin is overfished, also unchanged since the November 2024 report.

For each stock, ISSF assigns color ratings (green, yellow or orange) using a consistent methodology based on two factors: stock abundance and fishing mortality. Each stock is rated separately and color-coded to indicate not only the severity of the problem but also the likelihood that the problem will continue in the future. Additional details on the protocol used and the color ratings decision table can be found on pages 16 and 17 of the report.

ISSF publishes its signature Status of the Stocks report several times yearly using the most current scientific data on 23 major commercial tuna stocks. Related infographics for the March 2025 report are available here and here.

Key Statistics in the New Status of the Stocks Report

  • Abundance or SSB levels: Globally, 65% of the 23 stocks are at a healthy level of abundance—unchanged since the November 2024 report. Additionally, 9% of the stocks are overfished—marking a decrease of four percentage points since the previous report. Since the November 2024 report, the percentage of stocks at an intermediate level has increased by four percentage points, reaching 26%.
  • Fishing mortality levels: 91% of the 23 stocks are not experiencing overfishing — an improvement of four percentage points from the November 2024 report. About four percent are experiencing overfishing — around five-percentage-point decrease since the previous report. Also, about 4% are at an intermediate level—unchanged since November 2024.
  • Tuna production by fishing gear: 66% of the catch is made by purse seining, followed by longline (9%), pole-and-line (7%), gillnets (4%) and miscellaneous gears (14%).
  • Largest tuna catches by stock: The five largest catches in tonnes — all unchanged since the previous report — are Western Pacific Ocean skipjack, Western Pacific Ocean yellowfin, Indian Ocean skipjack, Indian Ocean yellowfin, and Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack.
  • Total catch: The catch of major commercial tunas was 5.2 million tonnes in 2023, a 1% decrease from 2022. Fifty-seven percent of it was skipjack tuna, followed by yellowfin (31%), bigeye (7%) and albacore (4%). Bluefin tunas accounted for 1% of the global catch.

The Status of the Stocks report is reviewed by the ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which provides advice on its content and ratings, following the agreed ISSF methodology. The report does not advocate any particular seafood purchase decisions.

About the Status of the Stocks Report

There are 23 stocks of major commercial tuna species worldwide—six albacore, four bigeye, four bluefin, five skipjack and four yellowfin stocks. The Status of the Stocks summarizes the results of recent scientific assessments of these stocks and the current management measures adopted by the RFMOs, as of March 2025.

Produced several times each year, the Status of the Stocks 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.

In addition, ISSF maintains a data visualization tool based on its Status of the Stocks report. The “Interactive Stock Status Tool” is located on the ISSF website and accessible through the Status of the Stocks overview page. Users can easily toggle through tuna abundance and exploitation health indicators by catch or stock, filter by location and species, and see the share of total catch by species/stocks and gear types.

88% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels; 10% Requires Stronger Management

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 88% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the November 2024 International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report, marking an improvement of two percentage points compared to previous March 2024 report findings. Overfished stocks account for 10% of the total catch—unchanged from the last report. The percentage of the catch that came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance decreased from 4%—as reported in March 2024—to 2%.

Changes in stock status ratings since the March 2024 report include:

  • Abundance or “spawning biomass” (SSB) and exploitation rate or fishing mortality (F) ratings for Eastern Pacific Ocean bigeye improved from yellow to green.
  • Pacific Ocean bluefin’s F rating also improved from yellow to green.
  • SSB and F ratings for Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean albacore changed from orange to yellow. However, there is high uncertainty about the stock status due to poor monitoring and basic fishery statistics.

According to the November 2024 report, the below tuna stocks are considered overfished and/or subject to overfishing:

  • Indian Ocean bigeye and Indian Ocean yellowfin stocks are overfished and subject to overfishing, unchanged since the March 2024 report.
  • Pacific Ocean bluefin is overfished, also unchanged since the March 2024 report.

In terms of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO) stock management, key updates since March 2024 include:

  • The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) adopted a new management procedure for skipjack tuna that will help reverse overcatch and ensure the long-term sustainability of the species.
  • The IOTC and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) released updated fish aggregating device (FAD) measures, helping to improve how FADs are used and managed, reducing the impacts of FADs on the ecosystem, and increasing monitoring of these devices at sea.

ISSF publishes its signature Status of the Stocks report several times yearly using the most current scientific data on 23 major commercial tuna stocks. Related infographics for the November 2024 report are available here and here.

Key Statistics in the New Status of the Stocks Report

  • Abundance or SSB levels: Globally, 65% of the stocks are at a healthy level of abundance—an improvement of four percentage points since the March 2024 report. Additionally, 13% of the stocks are overfished—marking a decrease of four percentage points since the previous report. Unchanged since the March 2024 report, 22% are at an intermediate level.
  • Fishing mortality levels: 87% of the 23 stocks are not experiencing overfishing—an improvement of nine percentage points from the March 2024 report. Nine percent are experiencing overfishing—a four-percentage-point decrease since the previous report. Also, 4% are at an intermediate level—a five-percentage-point reduction since March 2024.
  • Tuna production by fishing gear: 66% of the catch is made by purse seining, followed by longline (9%), pole-and-line (8%), gillnets (3%) and miscellaneous gears (14%).
  • Largest tuna catches by stock: The five largest catches in tonnes—all unchanged since the previous report except for Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack—are Western Pacific Ocean skipjack, Western Pacific Ocean yellowfin, Indian Ocean skipjack, Indian Ocean yellowfin, and Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack. In the March 2024 report, Eastern Pacific Ocean yellowfin was amongst the five largest tuna catches by stock.
  • Total catch: The catch of major commercial tunas was 5.2 million tonnes in 2022, a 2% increase from 2021. Fifty-seven percent of it was skipjack tuna, followed by yellowfin (30%), bigeye (7%) and albacore (5%). Bluefin tunas accounted for 1% of the global catch.

The Status of the Stocks report is reviewed by the ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which provides advice on its content. The report does not advocate any particular seafood purchase decisions.

About the Status of the Stocks Report

There are 23 stocks of major commercial tuna species worldwide—six albacore, four bigeye, four bluefin, five skipjack and four yellowfin stocks. The Status of the Stocks summarizes the results of recent scientific assessments of these stocks and the current management measures adopted by the RFMOs, as of September 30, 2024. Status of the Stocks assigns color ratings (green, yellow or orange) using a consistent methodology based on two factors: Abundance and Exploitation Rate (fishing mortality).

ISSF produces several Status of the Stocks reports each year to clarify where we stand—and how much more needs to be done—to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna stocks. The Status of the Stocks presents a comprehensive analysis of tuna stocks by species, and 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.

In addition, ISSF maintains a data visualization tool based on its Status of the Stocks report. The “Interactive Stock Status Tool” is located on the ISSF website and accessible through the Status of the Stocks overview page. Users can easily toggle through tuna abundance and exploitation health indicators by catch or stock, filter by location and species, and see the share of total catch by species/stocks and gear types.