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Updated ISSF Report Assesses Tuna Stock Sustainability Against MSC Criteria

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (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.

Key Findings

Co-authored by independent experts Matthew Cieri, Geir Hønneland, Paul A. H. Medley, and Susan Singh-Renton, the 2025 report shows that 12 of 23 tuna stocks meet the critical MSC Principle 1 benchmark — demonstrating that they are not subject to overfishing and are maintaining target biomass levels. This finding represents a slight improvement over the 2024 report, which found 11 passing stocks. This year, South Pacific albacore earned a passing score.

The 12 passing stocks are:

  • Atlantic Ocean: Western skipjack, Northern albacore, Southern albacore, Eastern bluefin
  • Pacific Ocean: Western yellowfin, Western bigeye, Western skipjack, Eastern yellowfin, Eastern skipjack, South Pacific albacore
  • Indian Ocean: Skipjack
  • Southern Hemisphere: Southern bluefin

However, only seven of the 23 stocks have fully implemented well-defined harvest control rules. The continued absence of pre-agreed harvest strategies to implement controls before rebuilding is required, or to rebuild depleted stocks, remains a major barrier to broader MSC adherence.

“Although the report highlights important strides by tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), it also underscores that the urgency remains for adopting effective harvest control rules to prevent stock decline and ensure long-term sustainability,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF President. “Healthy fisheries require both sound science and robust governance.”

About the Report

Since 2013, ISSF’s annual Evaluation report has provided a consistent, science-based framework to measure tuna fisheries against the MSC sustainability criteria. This year’s report stands out for several reasons:

  • First use of MSC Version 3.1, which introduces more clear requirements around harvest control rules and other scoring elements
  • Full reassessment of the tuna RFMO portion of Principle 3 (Effective Management) — updated for the first time in several years, following a thorough review by one of the report co-authors
  • Updated scores reflect information available through March 2025

“These updates make the 2025 report especially useful,” said Dr. Victor Restrepo, ISSF Vice President of Science. “By applying the updated MSC criteria and reassessing management systems across all RFMOs, we’re able to provide clearer insights into where progress is being made — and where urgent action is still needed. And the report will be more helpful for fisheries that want to be certified using the updated MSC criteria.”

MSC Principle 1: Stock Status

MSC Principle 1 requires that fisheries avoid overfishing and support the recovery of depleted populations. The 2025 Evaluation report finds:

  • No change in the number of stocks with well-defined harvest control rules since 2024 — still only seven of 23
  • Failing stocks in the Atlantic: yellowfin, bigeye, Eastern skipjack, Mediterranean albacore, Western bluefin
  • Failing stocks in the Pacific: Eastern bigeye, Northern albacore, Pacific bluefin
  • Failing stocks in the Indian Ocean: yellowfin, bigeye, albacore

MSC Principle 3: Effective Management

MSC Principle 3 calls for an effective management system that ensures responsible and sustainable resource use while complying with legal and institutional frameworks.

  • All five tuna RFMOs — ICCAT, IOTC, IATTC, WCPFC, and CCSBT — received passing scores on Principle 3.
  • However, the report highlights ongoing concerns about compliance and enforcement across RFMOs, despite overall passing performance.

Verifying Seafood Industry Commitments

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Web Features.

This Web feature highlights ISSF’s latest compliance report, which offers a compelling snapshot of sustainability progress and accountability in the global tuna industry. It documents how ISSF participating seafood companies and ProActive Vessel Register-listed vessels have voluntarily adopted ISSF conservation measures for responsible tuna sourcing and fishing.

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

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (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.

Download the compliance report, or view the PDF online.

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.

Highlights of the ISSF Company and PVR Vessel Compliance Report

The report highlights progress by participating companies and vessels in advancing tuna fishery sustainability. It tracks conformance with a broad range of ISSF conservation measures, including:

Among participating companies, 21 of 24 fully complied with all 33 ISSF conservation measures during the reporting period. Three companies recorded a single major non-conformance each: one on CM 2.3 – Product Labeling by Species and Area of Capture and two on CM 1.3 – IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding. The 99.6% conformance rate is a slight increase from 99.1% in November 2024.

PVR-listed vessels demonstrated an aggregate 77.5% compliance with 12 ISSF conservation measures that directly address vessel activity, including areas such as RFMO participation, use of non-entangling FADs, vessel-based FAD management policies, and observer coverage.

New and Notable ISSF Conservation Measures Audited

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.”

Reporting on Company Compliance Audits

ISSF’s commitment to transparency and accountability is reinforced through independent auditing by MRAG Americas, which assesses company compliance with ISSF conservation measures under a rigorous audit protocol. MRAG Americas also audits PVR vessels on compliance with vessel-related ISSF measures.

In addition to the summary report, MRAG Americas issues individual company compliance reports, which ISSF publishes on its website. PVR vessel compliance details are available on the PVR.

ISSF will publish the Update to the Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reflect any improvements made by participating companies. Such updates will be noted in individual company reports available online.

ISSF Expands Tuna Vessel Best Practices Tracked in VOSI Transparency Tool

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

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

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

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.

Recognizing Progress in Tuna Fisheries Management

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

A growing share of the global tuna catch comes from stocks that are not subject to overfishing, thanks largely to continuously improving management by tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). As an advocate and partner for science-based reforms, ISSF has played a catalytic role in driving many of these improvements.

Through targeted research, technical guidance, and the development of practical tools, ISSF has supported RFMOs in advancing key areas of fisheries management — particularly in strengthening compliance frameworks and expanding the use of electronic monitoring (EM). ISSF has also led pioneering research on fish aggregating device (FAD) designs, promoting the adoption of non-entangling and biodegradable materials to reduce ecological impacts and support sustainable fishing practices. These efforts have helped RFMOs build more transparent, accountable, and effective management systems.

Drawing from ISSF’s recently updated RFMO Best Practices Snapshots series and related content, here is a look at how tuna RFMOs have made significant strides across four fundamental aspects of sustainable fisheries management.

Strengthening RFMO Compliance Processes

Robust compliance mechanisms are vital to ensuring that member nations of RFMOs implement agreed-upon conservation and management measures effectively. These processes not only evaluate how well members are complying and pinpoint areas in need of improvement, but they also improve the performance of the RFMO.

Tuna RFMOs around the world are working to enhance their compliance processes to foster greater accountability and transparency. For example:

  • The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) held a special session of its compliance committee to explore improvements to its assessment procedures last year. As a result, it adopted a timebound work plan aimed at strengthening these procedures, including the development of specific responses to different categories of non-compliance.
  • The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) applied a standardized table of responses to non-compliance — adopted in 2022 — to guide its review of member state performance. Additionally, ICCAT strengthened its transshipment measure to further reinforce compliance of this activity.

ISSF’s “snapshot” on RFMO compliance processes underscores the importance of transparent and effective systems that build trust and confidence in RFMO fisheries management.

Advancing FAD Management

Fish aggregating devices (FADs) are widely used in tuna fisheries, and effective FAD management is essential. Our snapshot on FAD management highlights best practices and evaluates the progress made by RFMOs in implementing them. Key elements of responsible FAD management include setting limits on the number of deployed FADs, promoting non-entangling and bio-degradable designs, and strengthening tracking and reporting systems. When adopted, these measures help minimize environmental harm and support more sustainable fishing.

Among RFMOs, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has taken the lead with the most robust FAD management measures to date. A new measure adopted in 2024 introduced a clear definition for biodegradable FADs and set an ambitious timeline for their mandatory use. It also established an IOTC-wide FAD register, a standardized marking system, enhanced tracking and monitoring, mandatory reporting of lost or abandoned FADs, and stricter rules for activating and deactivating FAD buoys.

ICCAT has also made significant strides. In 2024, ICCAT adopted a phased reduction plan for the number of drifting FADs and committed to requiring fully non-entangling, net-free FADs made from biodegradable materials by 2028.

Expanding Harvest Strategies

Harvest strategies, also known as management procedures (MP), provide a structured, science-based approach to sustainable fisheries management. These strategies integrate monitoring programs, stock assessments, harvest control rules (HCRs), and pre-agreed management actions that align with the long-term goals of a fishery.

By outlining decision-making processes before stock conditions change, harvest strategies enable RFMOs to respond transparently and consistently to shifts in tuna stock status. Critically, they help insulate management decisions from short-term political pressures, reinforcing the role of scientific guidance.

ISSF and its partners have long advocated for the adoption of comprehensive harvest strategies that incorporate clearly defined HCRs and reference points. In recent years, RFMOs have made meaningful progress in advancing this framework for key tuna stocks. A new ISSF graphic highlights milestones achieved across all tuna RFMOs. 

Recent RFMO Progress includes:

  • WCPFC (Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission): A leader in harvest strategy adoption, WCPFC implemented a skipjack tuna MP in 2022. In 2023, it operationalized the procedure with new catch-and-effort controls for tropical tunas and adopted a harvest control rule for North Pacific albacore.
  • Last year, ICCAT adopted a harvest strategy for Atlantic bluefin tuna that accounts for stock mixing complexities. Progress also included setting a management objective for Western Atlantic skipjack, advancing Southern Atlantic albacore toward MP adoption, and adopting interim objectives for bigeye, yellowfin, and Eastern skipjack.
  • IATTC launched a scientist–manager dialogue group to accelerate MP development in 2025. The Commission agreed to collaborate with WCPFC on a stock-wide MP for Southern albacore. IATTC also adopted a harvest strategy for North Pacific albacore, including an HCR, and established interim reference points for skipjack tuna.
  • IOTC adopted a MP for skipjack tuna.

Embracing Electronic Monitoring (EM) for Improved Observer Coverage

Observer programs continue to play a crucial role in monitoring fishing activity and collecting data for sustainable fisheries management. ISSF’s snapshot on observer requirements highlights best practices and evaluates RFMO progress.

Electronic Monitoring (EM) systems have emerged as an essential tool for observer programs to increase transparency and accountability in tuna fisheries. These systems, particularly valuable for large-scale longline vessels where human observer coverage is minimal, enable the collection of accurate and comprehensive data on fishing activity.

RFMOs have begun to formally recognize EM’s role in enabling monitoring, control, and surveillance best practices. In 2023, IOTC and ICCAT adopted EM standards, following years of technical work and negotiation. And in 2024, both IATTC and WCPFC introduced interim minimum EM standards for all major gear types—marking key progress toward broader EM implementation.

As demonstrated across compliance processes, FAD management, harvest strategies, and electronic monitoring, tuna RFMOs are making measurable progress toward more sustainable and transparent fisheries management. These advancements reflect an increasing commitment to science-based decision-making, accountability, and ecosystem protection.

While significant challenges remain, the strides being taken each year by RFMOs — documented through ISSF’s RFMO Best Practices Snapshots — demonstrate ongoing momentum. Continued collaboration, innovation, and adherence to best practices will be essential to securing the long-term health of tuna populations and the ocean environments they support.

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

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

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.

Progress Made at IOTC: ISSF Applauds New Measures for Skipjack, Bigeye, and Sharks, Urges Further Action

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

In March, we reflected on the importance of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) maintaining momentum on science-based tuna conservation and effective monitoring of its fisheries. As the IOTC annual meeting concludes with significant progress accomplished, the Commission still has more work to do to align its measures with the necessary reforms stakeholders like ISSF had asked for.

Here’s our overview of the outcomes across key priority areas.

Compliance: Signs of Progress, but Still Patchy

Member state compliance with regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) regulations remains the cornerstone of effective fisheries management. While we welcome minor amendments and streamlining efforts in the compliance framework, actual compliance by CPCs (Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties) remains uneven or declining. For accountability to be meaningful, all CPCs must be compliant with their IOTC obligations and undertake corrective action when found non-compliant.

Tuna Stock Conservation and Harvest Strategies: Good Outcomes, But Could be Better

The IOTC outcomes on tuna stock conservation demonstrated the ongoing tension between scientific advice and political compromise. Strong IOTC member cooperation enabled agreements to move forward; however, the ultimate conservation impact of the measures remains uncertain.

Yellowfin: The latest stock assessment shows yellowfin has moved into the “green” zone, offering a bright spot. Considering the uncertainties recognized by the IOTC in its stock assessment, we’re pleased that the Commission has tasked its Scientific Committee with clarifying those uncertainties — doing so will confirm if  yellowfin is rebuilding and help ensure that an effective measure is adopted next year.

Skipjack: IOTC agreed on a total allowable catch (TAC) resulting from the skipjack Management Procedure (MP) that was allocated among CPCs — a significant step toward helping to maintain the stock at sustainable levels. However, reaching agreement required provisions that, if fully utilized, risk catches that exceed the TAC, as in previous years. This outcome weakens the potential impact of the new measure and may undermine the integrity of the skipjack MP.

Bigeye: Amendments were adopted to apply the new bigeye TAC under the MP and to allocate the catch by countries. But catch limits were not applied across all fleets and, as a result, if all CPCs maximize their fishing opportunities, the new measure may run counter to effective catch controls and operation of the MP.

On a positive note, the three Indian Ocean tropical tuna species are currently under a quota regime. In addition, the IOTC continues to develop other MPs or harvest strategies: A technical correction was adopted for the swordfish MP, and a blue shark management strategy evaluation was embraced by the Commission. Work on albacore and yellowfin tuna MPs is also progressing, with ISSF contributing technical support to these processes. Though not headline-making, this behind-the-scenes work is vital for long-term sustainability of IOTC species.

Shark Protections & Bycatch Mitigation: A Step, But Not a Leap

Our position statement emphasized the need to strengthen management for sharks in Indian Ocean fisheries, and we are pleased by progress on this priority request.

A new measure on shark conservation includes the requirement that shark fins be naturally attached (FNA) for all landings. But, like similar shark measures in other tuna RFMOs, the new measure includes the option for FNA alternatives. ISSF remains concerned that allowing for these alternatives could undermine the effectiveness of such measures.

The new IOTC measure also includes the prohibition of shark lines while allowing the use of wire tracers in a specific area, if CPCs can demonstrate that wire traces do not increase shark mortality. Unfortunately, the latter aspect limits the measure’s immediate ability to reduce shark mortality.

Finally, although best practices for shark and mobulid handling were adopted, similar practices for cetaceans were not. ISSF welcomes the improvements on bycatch mitigation and shark conservation adopted by the IOTC, and we hope these are the first of many more progressive steps in this direction.

Electronic Monitoring & Observer Coverage: A Critical Silence

Regrettably, there was no meaningful discussion on increasing the current minimum 5% observer coverage in the IOTC. Considering the newly adopted EM standards, the growing demand for vessel-level transparency, and data gaps that better observer coverage (both human and electronic) could address, this inaction is a serious missed opportunity.

Transshipment & VMS: A Better Path Ahead

The Commission adopted small but positive steps on transshipment and vessel monitoring. ISSF has been calling for IOTC to require authorized carrier vessels to be flagged to IOTC CPCs. We are pleased that this call was answered and are hopeful that this will ensure all transshipments vessels are under IOTC oversight.

Conclusion: Incremental Gains, But the Bar Can Be Higher

We recognize that many IOTC members offered genuine compromises this year to yield encouraging steps. ISSF applauds the spirit of cooperation that was evident at this year’s IOTC Commission Meeting. Nonetheless, ISSF remains concerned about weak compliance, diluted conservation measures, and insufficient focus on monitoring and bycatch mitigation. For the IOTC to fulfill its mandate, CPCs must continue to enhance their efforts for science-based management and effective monitoring.

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

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

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.

Science-Based Conservation of Tuna Stocks

Yellowfin tuna, previously overfished in the Indian Ocean, has shown signs of recovery, making continued precautionary management essential. The Commission must implement science-based catch limits that align with its Scientific Committee’s latest assessments and advice.

Moreover, the Scientific Committee should monitor stock status indicators in 2025 to confirm yellowfin’s stock status — based on robust analysis of the main input data used in the assessment (for example, Catch Per Unit Effort or CPUE) — as well as to ensure that yellowfin’s rebuilding trajectory remains intact.

Meanwhile, there are management concerns about skipjack and bigeye tuna stocks. Skipjack catches have consistently exceeded established Harvest Control Rule (HCR) limits, with a record-high catch in 2023. Urgent action is needed to prevent continued overshooting of HCR limits.

Bigeye tuna remains overfished and subject to overfishing, necessitating a 12% reduction in catch to align with sustainable thresholds as advised by the bigeye Management Procedure in February 2025. To facilitate bigeye tuna’s recovery to healthy levels, the IOTC must adopt a revised Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for bigeye and enforce stricter compliance measures to ensure adherence to the TAC.

Strengthening Compliance Through Enhanced Monitoring

Scientific conservation efforts are ineffective without proper monitoring and enforcement. The IOTC must fully implement its revised compliance assessment process to ensure transparent evaluations of member states’ adherence to conservation measures. This includes holding nations accountable for non-compliance in data reporting, adhering to catch limits, and using destructive fishing methods such as large-scale gillnets, prohibited in the entire Indian Ocean since 2022.

To improve fisheries oversight, observer coverage must be expanded beyond the current inadequate minimum 5% requirement. The IOTC lags behind other regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) in this regard. Electronic Monitoring (EM) should be widely implemented to supplement human observer programs, and measures should be adopted to begin increasing observer coverage toward 100% in industrial tuna fisheries. IOTC must also join its peer RFMOs and adopt a binding measure that will ensure the safety of human observers, including those on supply and carrier vessels.

Further, stronger tools are needed to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the Indian Ocean. In particular, the efforts to reform the IOTC’s Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) measure must be accelerated to require near real-time reporting and tamper-proof mechanisms to enhance vessel transparency.

Additionally, IOTC’s Port State measures resolution should be aligned with the FAO Port State Measures Agreement, including prioritizing high-risk vessels for inspections and extending oversight to ports outside the IOTC Agreement Area. These enhancements would strengthen regional efforts to combat IUU and curtail the potential for IUU-caught fish to flow into global markets.

Bycatch Mitigation and Shark Protections

Certain Indian Ocean shark and sea turtle species are in decline due to bycatch and unsustainable fishing practices. The IOTC must strengthen its conservation measures to reduce the impact of tuna fisheries on vulnerable species such as sharks, sea turtles, and marine mammals.

For sharks, the IOTC must take action to mandate that all sharks are landed with fins naturally attached. The IOTC also should require additional measures, such as catch limits for shortfin mako and limits on the use of wire leaders and shark lines, to limit shark mortality. For sea turtles, the Commission should require scientifically proven bycatch mitigation measures and the use of safe release devices.

It also needs to adopt best practices for the safe handling and release of sharks, mobulids, and cetaceans — similar to those implemented by other RFMOs — to help reduce mortality rates of these species.

The Path Forward: A Call for Urgent Action

The upcoming IOTC Annual Meeting is a pivotal moment for member states to reaffirm their commitment to sustainable tuna fisheries management.

Implementing science-based catch limits, enhancing compliance and monitoring, and adopting stronger conservation measures for bycatch species will collectively advance the IOTC’s efforts for the long-term health of tuna stocks and the broader marine ecosystem. The time for decisive action is now. Ensuring that tuna fisheries operate responsibly today will secure their future for generations to come.

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

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

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.