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ISSF REPORT: 86% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels; 10% Requires Stronger Management

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

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 86% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the newest International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report released in March 2024 — a 1% improvement over 2023 report findings. Additionally, overfished stocks now account for 10% of the total catch — down from 11% in the previous report. The percentage of the catch that came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance remained unchanged, at 4%.

Several tuna stocks are considered overfished and/or subject to overfishing:

  • Mediterranean albacore, Indian Ocean bigeye, and Indian Ocean yellowfin stocks are overfished and subject to overfishing.
  • Pacific Ocean bluefin is overfished.

In terms of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO) stock management, key updates since November 2023 include:

  • A Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) management change: Specifically, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) updated the tropical tuna conservation measure, which now encourages member countries to initiate retrieval programs for lost, abandoned or stranded FADs, while shortening the FAD closure from 3 to 1.5 months.
  • A Pacific-wide management change: Specifically, the WCPFC updated its harvest strategy by adopting a Harvest Control Rule for North Pacific albacore like the one adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in 2023.
  • The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) released updated catch data as well as a new Indian Ocean skipjack stock assessment that found no change in ratings. Based on the results of the assessment, a new total allowable catch (TAC) was adopted following the application of the Harvest Control Rule.

ISSF publishes its signature Status of the Stocks report several times each year using the most current scientific data on 23 major commercial tuna stocks.

Key Statistics in the New Status of the Stocks Report

  • Abundance or “spawning biomass” levels: Globally, 61% of the stocks are at a healthy level of abundance, 22% are at an intermediate level, and 17% are overfished (unchanged from the November 2023 report).
  • Fishing mortality levels: 78% of the 23 stocks are not experiencing overfishing, 13% are experiencing overfishing, and 9% are at an intermediate level (unchanged from the November 2023 report).
  • 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, unchanged since the previous report, are Western Pacific Ocean skipjack, Western Pacific Ocean yellowfin, Indian Ocean skipjack, Indian Ocean yellowfin, and Eastern Pacific Ocean yellowfin.
  • 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.

New Report Available: Tuna Fisheries’ Impacts on Non-Tuna Species and Other Environmental Aspects: 2024 Summary

Until 2023, the Status of the Stocks report included relative ratings for bycatch impacts by the different fishing methods. The information on stock status and management comes from the five tuna RFMOs that assess and regulate tuna fisheries internationally. However, the information on bycatch impacts was from multiple sources and was not stock- or fishery-specific. Because of this, the ISSF SAC recommended that the Status of the Stocks report be limited to stock status and management and a separate report be created to address the environmental impacts.

Subsequently, the separate ISSF report entitled Tuna Fisheries’ Impacts on Non-Tuna Species and Other Environmental Aspects: 2024 Summary was published in March 2024 to summarize bycatch and other ecosystem impacts for major types of tuna fisheries. Going forward, ISSF will publish this report annually as a standalone publication.

Key elements in the March 2024 report include:

  • A summary of the main impacts that different methods used to catch tunas have on non-target species and other ecosystem components
  • An analysis of scores obtained by different fishery types in Principle 2 (environmental impacts) certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
  • A summary of the relevant measures to address ecosystem impacts adapted by the tuna RFMOs
  • A summary of complementary conservation measures adopted by ISSF

About the Status of the Stocks Report

There are 23 stocks of major commercial tuna species worldwide — 6 albacore, 4 bigeye, 4 bluefin, 5 skipjack, and 4 yellowfin stocks. The Status of the Stocks summarizes the results of the most recent scientific assessments of these stocks, as well as the current management measures adopted by the RFMOs. Status of the Stocks assigns color ratings (green, yellow or orange) using a consistent methodology based on two factors: Abundance and Exploitation/Management (fishing mortality).

ISSF produces several Status of the Stocks reports each year to provide clarity about 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 to define the continuous improvement achieved as well as 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.

Dr. Ana Parma Joins as New Member on the ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee; Daniel Suddaby Joins as New Member on the ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) is pleased to announce new members Dr. Ana Parma to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and Daniel Suddaby to the Environmental Stakeholder Committee (ESC).

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ana Parma to the SAC and are confident that her broad experience in fisheries, including tuna, will be vitally important in continuing our efforts to identify and advocate for sustainable fishing practices,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF President.

The ISSF SAC is a diverse group of leading experts in fisheries science and tuna populations who offer guidance on organizational research priorities and support the development of ISSF’s technical reports.

ISSF also welcomes Daniel Suddaby, Executive Director for the Global Tuna Alliance, as a new member to the ESC.

“Mr. Suddaby has two decades of experience that will prove greatly important to our collaborative work. We are thankful to have him be a part of our Environmental Stakeholder Committee and look forward to benefitting from his expertise in fisheries and marine conservation,” said Ms. Jackson.

The ESC comprises representatives from various conservation organizations who volunteer to share their expertise. The ESC, similar to ISSF’s SAC, provides advice to the ISSF Board of Directors on issues to consider before taking action on specific sustainability efforts, including the adoption of ISSF conservation measures.

New ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee (ESC) Vice Chair

ISSF is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Keith Sainsbury to Vice Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

“Dr. Sainsbury has extensive knowledge and experience in fisheries research and management as well as the Marine Stewardship Council and that lends itself well to our efforts, ” said Ms. Jackson. “He has been a valued member of the ISSF SAC for eight years and is well-deserving of this new appointment. ”

About Dr. Ana Parma

Dr. Parma is an expert in fisheries modeling, assessment, and management. She earned a Ph.D. in fisheries at the School of Fisheries of the University of Washington. She worked for more than 10 years as an assessment scientist at the International Pacific Halibut Commission.

Currently, Dr. Parma is a research scientist with CONICET (the Argentine Council for Science and Technology), working at a coastal research center in Patagonia. She has worked on different aspects of fisheries modeling, assessment, and management of a diverse range of fisheries, from artisanal coastal fisheries targeting benthic shellfish to large-scale international fisheries targeting tunas. The main focus of her research has been on the evaluation and design of management strategies, attending to ecological and institutional dimensions, both in data-rich and in data- and capacity-limited contexts. She chairs the modelling group of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT), is a member of the Steering Committee of the bluefin tuna program at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), and until recently was a member of the Science Council and Global Board of The Nature Conservancy.

About Daniel Suddaby

Mr. Suddaby currently serves as the Executive Director for the Global Tuna Alliance (GTA). With 20 years of experience in fisheries and marine conservation, he is an expert in tuna, advocacy, and sustainable market tools that drive change in fisheries and seafood supply chains.

Prior to joining the GTA, Mr. Suddaby founded and led the Tuna and Distant Water Fisheries Program at Ocean Outcomes, building effective relationships with longline tuna and supply chain companies to incentivize transformation through tools such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Fishery Improvement Projects. Previously, Mr. Suddaby spent six years as the Deputy Leader of the World Wild Fund for Nature’s (WWF) global fisheries initiative, leading global engagement in tuna fisheries and advocacy in all Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and providing strategic direction to WWF International on seafood engagement. He also has experience as a Senior Fisheries Certification Manager for the MSC.

About Dr. Keith Sainsbury

Dr. Sainsbury has a background in marine and fisheries research and modeling, including working as a senior principal research scientist and leading major research groups for over 20 years in the Australian federal research organization (CSIRO). Sainsbury also serves as a member of MSC’s Technical Advisory Board and is considered one of the foremost experts on the precautionary approach to fisheries management. In 2004, Dr. Sainsbury was awarded the Japan Prize for his contribution to the understanding and management of shelf ecosystems.

Dr. Sainsbury has been a member of ISSF’s Scientific Advisory Committee since 2015.

Learn more on the ISSF website: https://www.iss-foundation.org/about-issf/

Uneven Outcomes for Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries at Management Meeting

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) recently wrapped its annual meeting. Since the majority of the world’s tuna catch is sourced from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), the gathering is always highly anticipated and closely watched.

This year’s meeting brought some positive outcomes for Pacific Ocean tuna fisheries, including a harvest control rule for North Pacific albacore, the adoption of an updated tropical tuna conservation measure, and moderate progress on electronic monitoring and observer coverage.

But the Commission’s work fell far short in other areas, especially regarding increasing transparency in WCPFC compliance assessment processes and improving fish aggregating device (FAD) management.

ISSF urged action on these priority topics, among others, this year. Here is a review of the outcomes of the WCPFC meeting against our organization’s most critical asks.

Some Progress for Tuna Stock Conservation and Management Procedures (Harvest Strategies)

No WCPO tuna stocks are overfished or experiencing overfishing. Yet managers must continue to adopt precautionary and scientifically rigorous management measures to keep these stocks at healthy levels.

To achieve that this year, WCPFC needed to respond to the outcomes of its management procedures (MP) — or harvest strategies — for skipjack tuna and North Pacific albacore. Specifically, WCPFC needed to (1) translate the outputs of the skipjack management procedure into fishing catch-and-effort controls contained in the tropical tuna measure, and (2) adopt a harvest control rule for North Pacific albacore tuna.

We are pleased that the Commission made progress on both fronts. But we are hesitant to label the updated tropical tuna measure a “win” because its full impact on tuna stocks and WCPO ecosystems in general is difficult to predict, especially considering certain existing WCPFC management gaps.

For example, the new measure reduces FAD closures for purse seine vessels, while allowing for increases in bigeye tuna catch for longline vessels. To properly gauge consequences for tuna stock health, such changes to fishing effort and catch limits must be accompanied by robust monitoring, detailed data collection, and strong RFMO member compliance — areas that are weak for some WCPFC fleets.

We cannot be certain how these elements will impact the longer-term stock status of bigeye and yellowfin tuna, not to mention non-target species like oceanic whitetip and silky sharks, both of which are currently subject to overfishing. ISSF will therefore be carefully analyzing these changes going forward.

Electronic Monitoring and Observer Coverage

Comprehensive observer coverage and the implementation of an electronic monitoring (EM) program is critical to effective fisheries management; compliance monitoring; and independent verification of catch, effort, and marine species interactions.

ISSF has been calling for accelerated progress on developing electronic monitoring (EM) standards for WCPO tuna fisheries, as well as a timeline to substantially increase independent monitoring in longline fisheries. We are therefore gratified that the Commission responded by tasking its EM Working Group with the development of interim technical standards for adoption next year.

We are also pleased to see the Commission increase observer coverage to 10% for the longline fleet in its updated tropical tuna measure, as well as make such increases a prerequisite to raising bigeye catch limits.

However, our strong preference is for observer coverage to increase across the longline fleet generally, and not necessarily be linked to fishing possibilities. The decision in the tropical tuna measure is a step in the right direction — but it makes advancing the interim EM Standards though the EM Working Group next year that much more critical. EM will be an essential component of remedying the longstanding subpar observer coverage on longline vessels.

Misses on Compliance Processes and Transshipment Regulation

Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) need strong and transparent compliance processes to meet their objectives, strengthen their performance, and be accountable to their many diverse stakeholders. Yet WCPFC is the only tuna RFMO with a compliance assessment process that is closed to accredited observers.

Accordingly, we led our WCPFC appeal this year with a call to develop guidelines for observer participation in compliance assessment processes. We are disappointed that the Commission did not act on this request. We will continue to push for this important priority and other best practice recommendations to improve RFMO compliance processes.

The Commission also missed an opportunity to improve at-sea transshipment regulations. If not well-managed, at-sea transshipment can be a conduit for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fish to enter the supply chain. We sought strengthened transshipment in line with best practice standards, including elements like the use of automatic identification systems (AIS) and near-real-time electronic reporting for all transshipment activity. It is disappointing that the Commission failed to act.

Falling Short on Strengthened FAD Management

FAD management consistently tops our appeals to tuna fisheries managers because without rigorous management in place, FADs can have substantial negative impacts on the marine environment. We are disappointed the Commission not only made decisions last week that weaken the existing management of FADs but also failed to take any additional needed FAD management measures.

Inconsistent with the precautionary approach, WCPFC deferred its consideration of the transition to biodegradable FADs to 2026. Managers also failed to agree on proposals to require the provision of near-real-time FAD position and acoustic biomass data for scientific use.

The Commission also reduced the length of the existing FAD closures — effectively diminishing the suite of FAD management measures that had been in place and were making solid contributions towards the sustainable utilization of tuna resources.

Overall, the WCPFC meeting provided mixed results. Many difficult issues were pushed to discussions in future years, perpetuating complex challenges that critically require action. WCPFC has been seen as a leader in tuna fisheries management. We are hopeful that 2024 will bring a renewed and stronger spirit of collaboration to face these complex issues. We will continue our engagement throughout the region for the sustainable use of the world’s largest tuna fisheries and protections for the broader marine ecosystem.

ISSF Urges WPCFC to Improve Compliance Processes and to Adopt New Tropical Tuna Conservation Measure and Harvest Control Rule for North Pacific Albacore Tuna

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has issued its position statement for consideration by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) ahead of its 20th regular session from December 4-8, 2023, in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The statement leads with a call for improved compliance processes.

“Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) need strong and transparent compliance processes in order to meet their objectives, strengthen their performance, and be accountable to their many and diverse stakeholders,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “Yet the WCPFC is the only tuna RFMO with a compliance assessment process that is closed to accredited observers. That’s why our position statement leads with a call for the Commission to develop guidelines for the observer participation in compliance assessment processes.”

Other issues addressed in the statement include tuna stock conservation and effective management procedures, FAD management, electronic monitoring, transshipment regulations, bycatch mitigation, and shark protections.

“The WCPFC also has the opportunity to progress tuna stock conservation. The Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) is the world’s largest tuna fishing ground, and due to persistent management, no tuna stocks in the WCPO are currently overfished or experiencing overfishing,” Jackson continued. “For these stocks to remain healthy, managers must continue to implement scientific advice and take a precautionary approach.

“Specifically, the Commission adopted management procedures (MP) for skipjack tuna and North Pacific albacore last year. This year, it must operationalize these MPs by implementing the outputs of the skipjack management procedure in the revised tropical tuna measure and by adopting a harvest control rule for North Pacific albacore. A new and improved conservation measure for tropical tunas that includes strengthened measures for fish aggregating devices (FADs) is also a must.”

Priorities for Western and Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries

Compliance Processes

  • Direct the Compliance Monitoring Scheme Intersessional Working Group to develop guidelines for the participation of accredited observers, as well as a scheme of responses to non-compliance, to present to the Commission for adoption in 2024

Tuna Stock Conservation and Effective Management Procedures (Harvest Strategies)

  • Adopt a new conservation measure for tropical tunas that:
    • Implements the outputs of the 2023 skipjack Management Procedure
    • Limits fishing mortality for bigeye and yellowfin to the interim Target Reference Points
    • Removes ambiguities and exemptions
    • Sets catch limits for fisheries that do not have them
  • Adopt a harvest control rule for North Pacific albacore to implement the harvest strategy for North Pacific albacore fishery adopted by the Commission in 2022
  • Adopt Target Reference Points and continue to develop Management Procedures for bigeye and yellowfin tuna
  • Ensure that the skipjack Management Procedure adopted last year is effectively implemented in the revised tropical tuna measure and adopt a monitoring strategy consistent with scientific advice

FAD Management

  • Establish an interim timeline, to be reviewed in 2024, for transitioning to 100% biodegradable FADs consistent with the timeline agreed by the IATTC
  • Adopt a requirement for provision of near-real-time FAD position and acoustic biomass data for scientific use, with appropriate time-lags to protect confidentiality
  • Task the FAD Working Group with developing in 2024:
    • A “FAD logbook” similar to what is used by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement
    • Options for increased FAD detection and recovery
    • Guidelines to minimize the impact of FADs on sea turtles

Electronic Monitoring & Observer Coverage

  • Task the Electronic Reporting and Electronic Monitoring Intersessional Working Group with finalizing Electronic Monitoring (EM) standards, specifications, and procedures for adoption in 2024
  • Adopt a timeline and plan to substantially increase observer coverage in longline fisheries

Transshipment Regulation

  • Strengthen the regulation of at-sea transshipment in line with best practice standards, including requiring:
    • Near-real-time electronic reporting (not longer than 24 hours after the event) for all transshipment activity, using minimum standard data fields
    • Use of automatic identification systems (AIS) and that vessel monitoring system (VMS) data are reported for all transshipments of WCPFC-covered species
    • Provision of observer data to the WCPFC, as well as the national program
    • Establishing criteria for authorization of at-sea transshipment and a review process

Bycatch Mitigation & Shark Protections

  • Task the Scientific Committee (SC) and the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC) with reviewing the seabird and sea turtle measures in 2024, and providing advice on updated best practice mitigation options
  • Task the SC and TCC to provide recommendations in 2024 on the conservation measure for sharks, including the provisions for retained sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached.

The full ISSF WCPFC position statement can be read here.

Mixed Results at ICCAT Annual Session: Compliance Reforms and Electronic Monitoring Standards Among Positive Meeting Outcomes

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) is welcoming some progress for Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries as the annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concludes. While we were hoping for more fulsome headway against our priority asks this year, we are pleased that the Commission made some gains, specifically in adopting minimum standards for electronic monitoring and further advancing compliance improvements.

Here is a review of the outcomes of the ICCAT meeting against some of our organization’s priorities as outlined in our 2023 position statement.

Compliance Processes

Though ICCAT has one of the most open compliance assessment processes among the five tuna RFMOs, room for improvement remains. We have been working with partner NGOs to identify compliance reform priorities for tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), and our position statement included several of those recommendations. We are pleased to report that ICCAT agreed to one such recommendation — the use of its table of responses to non-compliance, which was adopted by ICCAT in 2022, for the review of member states’ compliance this year.

Looking ahead, we will be working with our NGO partners and other stakeholders to advocate for further alignment of the ICCAT compliance process with RFMO compliance best practices.

Tuna Stock Conservation and FAD Management

For the third year in a row, ISSF urged ICCAT to adopt a strengthened tropical tuna measure that maintains bigeye and yellowfin stocks at sustainable levels and improves the management of FADs — especially requirements for fully non-entangling and biodegradable FADs. Many of these improvements were included in a draft measure that was discussed towards the end of the meeting, but unfortunately the Commission was unable to reach consensus. While the Commission maintained its current conservation measure for tropical tunas in place for 2024, which will ensure the current management safeguards for these stocks remain in force, it is disappointing that needed improvements to the existing measure escaped agreement once again.

Electronic Monitoring and Reporting and Observer Coverage

Progress on electronic monitoring improvements was a bright spot at this year’s ICCAT meeting. Specifically, the Commission agreed to adopt electronic monitoring (EM) minimum standards for purse seine and longline fisheries. We applaud ICCAT as the second tuna RFMO to adopt EM program and data standards this year.

While we had hoped the Commission would also strengthen its observer coverage requirements, EM standards will help achieve higher levels of monitoring, which is critical to effective fisheries management; compliance monitoring; and independent verification of catch, effort, and non-target species interactions.

Effective Management Procedures (Harvest Strategies)

ISSF and partners have been consistently pressing for the accelerated adoption of harvest strategies for tunas across all RFMOs. We are therefore disappointed that ICCAT also failed to act on new harvest strategies this year. The Commission did not adopt a harvest strategy for western Atlantic skipjack as recommended by its SCRS and we are hopeful that this will be achieved in 2024.

Bycatch Mitigation & Shark Protections

We closed our list of 2023 priority asks for ICCAT with a focus on bycatch species, including sharks and seabirds. The good news is that the Commission did agree to reduce the TACs for blue shark stocks in line with SCRS advice — specifically to levels that will ensure a high probability that the stocks will remain in a healthy state.

But we are deeply disappointed that ICCAT once again failed to agree to require that all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached, without exceptions. This year marks 15 years of inaction on this important issue which is supported by the majority of ICCAT members, and we cannot overemphasize the need for decisive progress to protect sharks in 2024. We were also disappointed by ICCAT’s failure to adopt measures on catch limits for shortfin mako sharks and modernize its seabird bycatch mitigation measure.

This year’s ICCAT meeting concluded with less progress than we had hoped and advocated for. As a result, 2024 brings into clear focus the issues on which ICCAT member countries must prioritize and make decisive progress. These include: a strengthened tropical tuna measure that maintains bigeye and yellowfin stocks at sustainable levels; much improved FAD management measures; transshipment and other MCS measure reforms; a fins-naturally attached requirement; and modernized protections for seabirds. We hope you will join ISSF efforts to continue to seek progress for Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries into the New Year.

ISSF REPORT: 85% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels; Stock Status Remains Unchanged Since March 2023 Report

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

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 85% comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the newest International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report. Overfished stocks accounted for 11% of the total catch, and 4% of the catch came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance.

No individual stock statuses have changed since the March 2023 Status of the Stocks report. The updated report incorporates recent stock-assessment results for Western Pacific bigeye, Western Pacific yellowfin, North Pacific albacore, North Atlantic albacore, and Southern bluefin, none of which has changed. The lack of substantial changes in stock status between report periods highlights the value of continuous scientific assessments to inform stock-management decisions.

The report did find that several tuna stocks are considered overfished and/or subject to overfishing:

  • Mediterranean albacore, Indian ocean bigeye and Indian Ocean yellowfin stocks are overfished and subject to overfishing.
  • Pacific Ocean bluefin is overfished.

In terms of RFMO stock management, key updates since March 2023 include:

  • IATTC established new conservation measures for tropical tuna FAD fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, including encouraging member states to initiate drifting-FAD recovery programs and establish deadlines for a stepwise transition to using fully non-entangling (required from 2025 onwards) and biodegradable FADs (gradually, until 2029), respectively.
  • IATTC adopted a full harvest strategy and Harvest Control Rule for North Pacific albacore.
  • IOTC and CCSBT endorsed total allowable catch (TAC) recommendations for Indian Ocean bigeye and Southern bluefin, respectively, based on the outcome of each stock’s management procedure.

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

Key Statistics in the New Report

  • Abundance or “spawning biomass” levels: Globally, 61% of the stocks are at a healthy level of abundance (unchanged from the March 2023 report), 22% are at an intermediate level, and 17% are overfished.
  • Fishing mortality levels: 78% of the 23 stocks are not experiencing overfishing, 13% are experiencing overfishing, and 9% are at an intermediate level.
  • Tuna production by fishing gear: 66% of the catch is made by purse seining, followed by longline (9%), pole-and-line (8%), gillnets (4%) and miscellaneous gears (13%).
  • Largest tuna catches by stock: The five largest catches in tonnes, 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 5.1 million tonnes in 2021. 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.

ISSF publishes its signature Status of the Stocks report several times each year using the most current scientific data on 23 major commercial tuna stocks.

About the Status of the Stocks Report

There are 23 stocks of major commercial tuna species worldwide — 6 albacore, 4 bigeye, 4 bluefin, 5 skipjack, and 4 yellowfin stocks. The Status of the Stocks summarizes the results of the most recent scientific assessments of these stocks, as well as the current management measures adopted by the RFMOs. Status of the Stocks assigns color ratings (green, yellow or orange) using a consistent methodology based on three factors: Abundance, Exploitation/Management (fishing mortality), and Environmental Impact (bycatch).

ISSF produces several Status of the Stocks reports each year to provide clarity about 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 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Criteria provides scores for the stocks and RFMOs based on MSC assessment criteria. Together, these tools help to define the continuous improvement achieved, as well as 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.

ISSF Urges ICCAT to Adopt Stronger Tuna Conservation Measures, Bolster Compliance, and Clarify FAD Regulations

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) is outlining its priorities for improved Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries management ahead of the November 13-20, 2023, annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

ISSF’s ICCAT position statement leads with a call for improved compliance processes and continues on to address tuna stock conservation; FAD management; electronic monitoring and reporting & observer coverage; transshipment regulation; effective management procedures (harvest strategies); bycatch mitigation & shark protections; and capacity management.

“It is imperative that ICCAT adopt a strengthened tropical tuna measure that maintains bigeye and yellowfin stocks at sustainable levels and addresses management of FADs, especially requirements for fully non-entangling and biodegradable FADs,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “Adopting these measures without a strong mechanism to ensure compliance with ICCAT rules, however, is only part of the equation.”

“While ICCAT has one of the most open compliance assessment processes among the five tuna RFMOs, with a well-designed framework,” Jackson continued, “there remains room for improvement. We have been working with Pew Charitable Trusts to identify compliance reform priorities for tuna RFMOs, and our position statement includes several of those recommendations. Beyond tropical tuna management and compliance, we’re asking ICCAT to conduct a yellowfin assessment in 2024, adopt minimum standards for electronic monitoring, and ensure greater protections for Atlantic shark stocks, among other needed actions.”

Priorities for Atlantic Ocean Tuna Fisheries

ICCAT’s 24th annual meeting has a hybrid format for participants and will be conducted both virtually and in person in New Cairo, Egypt. ISSF’s position statement, which can be downloaded in English, French, and Spanish, shares these and other recommendations with ICCAT:

Compliance Processes

  • Adopt a workplan for the ICCAT Compliance Committee to develop audit points for management measures
  • Use the schedule of compliance issues and corresponding actions for the review of CPC compliance
  • Adopt procedures to identify and address non-compliance with total allowable catch (TAC) allocations

Tuna Stock Conservation

  • Adopt a new recommendation for tropical tuna conservation and management that ensures bigeye and yellowfin stocks are maintained at sustainable levels in accordance with the ICCAT Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) advice and fully allocates the total allowable catch (TAC) between member states, especially for yellowfin.
  • Request the SCRS to carry out a yellowfin assessment in 2024.

FAD Management

  • Clarify that fish aggregating devices (FADs) must be fully non-entangling, or without any netting or meshed materials.
  • Adopt the definition of “biodegradable” categories consistent with those of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), and establish a timeline for transition to biodegradable FADs similar to what was agreed in the IATTC.

Electronic Monitoring and Reporting and Observer Coverage

  • Adopt the Electronic Monitoring (EM) Minimum Standards developed by the Electronic Monitoring Systems Working Group
  • Direct the Working Group on Integrated Monitoring Measures to develop an ICCAT Regional Observer Program for recommendation to the Commission.

Transshipment Regulations

  • Strengthen the regulation of at-sea transshipment in line with best practice standards, including requiring:
    • near real-time electronic reporting for all transshipment activity
    • that carrier vessels only to be flagged to member states
    • that AIS data are reported in addition to required VMS data

Effective Management Procedures (Harvest Strategies)

  • Adopt the harvest strategy for western Atlantic skipjack recommended by SCRS.

Bycatch Mitigation & Shark Protections

  • Require all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached without exceptions.
  • Reduce the TACs for both blue shark stocks to levels that will ensure a high probability that the stocks will remain in a healthy state in line with SCRS advice, and allocate the TACs by member state.
  • Implement the SCRS advice on catch limits for shortfin mako stocks.
  • Request the SCRS to review science-based mitigation techniques for seabird bycatch to align to best practice in 2024.

Meet the ISSF Board of Directors | PLUS 6 Ways to Improve FAD Management

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Content

ISSF Board of Directors

The ISSF Board of Directors is a diverse group of leaders from non-governmental organizations, marine science, government agencies, and the seafood industry, representing several countries.

ISSF Board members advance the  mission of the Foundation, including through the development and adoption of ISSF conservation measures, to which ISSF participating companies commit to conform.

Learn more

 

Featured Report

FAD Management in Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries

ISSF and other NGOs have put together lists of the elements that they consider to be most important for effective management of fish aggregating devices (FADs). The report ISSF 2023-10: Recommended Best Practices for FAD Management in Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries reviews the most essential elements for proper management of FAD fisheries:

  1. Complying with flag state and RFMO reporting requirements by set type
  2. Voluntarily reporting additional FAD buoy data for use by RFMO science bodies
  3. Supporting science-based FAD limits
  4. Using non-entangling FADs to reduce ghost fishing
  5. Mitigating other environmental impacts due to FAD loss including through the use of biodegradable FADs and FAD recovery policies
  6. Implementing further mitigation efforts for silky sharks

It provides practical examples that fleets could adopt as their FAD management policies.

Download

  

Featured Fact

Since our inception in 2009, ISSF has adopted conservation measures (CM) with the intent that processors, traders, importers, transporters, and others in the seafood industry commit to conform to them to facilitate real, continuous improvement across global tuna fisheries.

Review ISSF CM 3.7 – Transactions with Vessels or Companies with Vessel-Based FAD Management Policies

  

ICYMI

ICCAT Position Statement

ISSF has outlined top “asks” for improved management of Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries in its position statement for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) 28th regular meeting next month.

Read the Statement

 

Fishers for Sustainable Tuna | Partners on the Front Lines

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Peer Reviewed Article

Improving sustainable practices in tuna purse-seine fish aggregating device (FAD) fisheries worldwide through continued collaboration with fishers

More than a decade of bottom-up collaborative workshops and research with fishers from the principal tropical tuna purse seine fleets to reduce ecological impacts associated with the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) has yielded improved sustainable fishing practices in all oceans. This integrative effort is founded on participatory knowledge-exchange workshops organized by ISSF, where scientists, fishers, and key stakeholders examine and develop together ways and tools to minimize fishery impacts.

Read the paper

More articles from ISSF and partners

 

Featured Graphic

Since 2009, ISSF-sponsored scientists and presenters have been traveling the world in an effort to share best practices with fishers in every port. Take a look at where we’ve been to date.

Infographic

 

Featured Fact

The 2023 ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report shows that ISSF Participating Companies achieved 100% conformance with ISSF Conservation Measure 3.4  – Skipper Best Practices. The measure requires companies to conduct transactions only with those purse seine and longline vessels whose skippers have:

  • Attended an in-person and/or online ISSF Skippers Workshop; or
  • Attended an in-person Skippers Workshop provided by a tuna FIP and conducted by a trainer that has been accredited by ISSF to conduct these workshops; or
  • Viewed an ISSF Skippers Workshop video online; or
  • Reviewed the online Skippers Guidebook

 

Featured Videos

Improving FAD Design through Fisher Collaboration

We’re working with fishers, scientists, and industry to find the best non-entangling designs and natural materials for fish aggregating devices (FADs) that can biodegrade. A new video from the Pacific Community (SPC) explores trials of jelly-FADs in the Western Central Pacific Ocean, which are part of a three-year project of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), done in collaboration with ISSF. The project aims to construct and test, in real fishing conditions, a new type of non-entangling and biodegradable FAD called the jelly-FAD. The jelly-FAD mirrors jelly fish, drifting naturally in the water column.

Watch

 

Featured Resource

Verified Public Vessel Lists

To promote transparency in tuna fishing, ISSF works with regional organizations and data sources to provide information about fishing vessels and their practices. We maintain searchable public tuna vessel lists for sustainable fishing stakeholders.

The ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) is one of four ISSF public vessel lists. Vessels that join the PVR commit to provide regular information about specific activities, including best practices linked to ISSF conservation measures. This information is displayed on the PVR, showing facts about each vessel, and — based on independent audit results — whether the vessel is following these best practices for more sustainable fishing.

Search PVR

 

Like the PVR, ISSF’s Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) list is a transparency tool for stakeholders that want to understand which tuna vessels have made public commitments to more sustainable fishing beyond those commitments tracked on the PVR.

Search VOSI

 

 

ISSF Welcomes Robust Progress for Eastern Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries, Including Adoption of Harvest Strategy for North Pacific Albacore and Requirements for Non-entangling FADs

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

At the conclusion of the annual meeting of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) is reflecting on the many positive outcomes for Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) tuna fisheries. We are pleased that managers made headway on important topics like harvest strategies and improved fish aggregating device (FAD) designs, in addition to other critical elements of sustainable fisheries management.

Here is a review of the results of the IATTC meeting against our organization’s priorities as outlined in our 2023 position statement.

Compliance Processes

Strong, transparent compliance policies and practices improve fisheries management because they hold member countries accountable. Last year, the IATTC adopted improvements in this area, including best practices promoted by ISSF and partners, like greater detail in compliance reports and mechanisms to identify infraction patterns.

This year, we urged the IATTC to implement these improvements, specifically through establishing a work plan with timelines for its Committee for the Review of Implementation of Measures. While the Commission did not take this particular action, we can still applaud progress for compliance processes because managers conducted a successful review of IATTC member compliance under the previously strengthened resolution. The result was a more detailed assessment of potential member non-compliance and clear recommendations for addressing instances of non-compliances.

Effective Management Procedures (Harvest Strategies)

The new Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard requires a higher level of performance for RFMO-managed fisheries, including regarding harvest strategies for tuna fisheries. To achieve this heightened standard, the IATTC must adopt and implement harvest strategies in time for their outcomes to meet the MSC Standard deadlines. ISSF is therefore pleased that the Commission adopted a harvest strategy for North Pacific albacore, including a harvest control rule, as well as interim reference points for skipjack tuna. In addition, managers made progress for South Pacific albacore tuna by endorsing the IATTC Scientific Advisory Committee recommendations for the stock, which includes working with the Pacific Community (SPC) and WCPFC to explore management strategies and continuing joint stock assessment work.

FAD Design and Management

ISSF also welcomes advances by EPO decision makers for improved FAD design and management. To reduce the impact of FAD structures on the marine ecosystem and reduce plastic pollution, FADs should be designed to avoid the use of netting and be constructed primarily with biodegradable materials. Fortunately, the Commission agreed to require fully non-entangling FAD designs without netting or meshed materials as of January 1, 2025 — a move that aligns IATTC requirements to WCPFC in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, although on a longer timeline.

As a leader in biodegradable FAD research, ISSF’s appeals to IATTC also included the adoption of the definition of “biodegradable” proposed by its FAD Working Group, as well as a transition timeline for the use of 100% biodegradable FADs. We are pleased that EPO fisheries managers adopted proposals that include both of these items, and that they also agreed to encourage recovery programs of drifting FADs in the IATTC convention area.

These collective actions make the IATTC the first tuna RFMO to have in force robust conservation measures for the use of biodegradable FADs — a move we urge all tuna RFMOs to follow.

Bycatch Mitigation & Shark Protections

Some shark and seabird species are declining in abundance or are threatened, yet IATTC conservation measures for these animals remain outdated, excluding many best-practice mitigation techniques. That’s why ISSF requested that all retained sharks be landed with fins naturally attached. The Commission did agree to this ask, but, unfortunately, the revised measure includes exceptions that dilute its impact. ISSF and its partners will continue to advocate strongly for all RFMOs to adopt fins-naturally attached measures for sharks without any exceptions.

ISSF also sought better protection for seabirds in EPO fisheries to harmonize the region with  RFMO requirements in the Indian and Western and Central Pacific Oceans. We are disappointed that this call went unanswered. IATTC must improve its seabird protection measures.

Electronic Monitoring and Reporting & Observer Coverage

Comprehensive observer coverage is critical to effective fisheries management. 100% observer coverage — human and/or electronic — is feasible and necessary. IATTC’s minimum 5% observer coverage requirement for longline vessels in not being fully met, and there is no requirement for observer coverage on class 1-5 purse seine vessels.

Despite appeals by ISSF and others, the Commission, like last year, failed to increase its longline vessel observer coverage requirements or establish an observer program for class 1-5 purse seine vessels. The IATTC Electronic Monitoring Working Group that was agreed to last year, however, was established and co-chairs identified. We are hopeful that their planned meeting in 2023 will set a clear agenda for 2024 and accelerate progress in establishing minimum electronic monitoring standards in the EPO.

Overall, ISSF is pleased with the number of proposals addressed and adopted at last week’s IATTC meeting. The pace of change and action is a welcome development versus previous years, and we applaud the many positive steps taken toward more sustainable tuna fisheries management. We remain watchful and engaged to ensure that more progress can be made for the long-term protection of EPO tuna fisheries.