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Bridging Critical Gaps for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries: ISSF Priorities for the 2026 IOTC Annual Meeting

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

When the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) convenes this May, it will be to meet and make policy decisions after a period of tangible progress. Recent outcomes, like strengthened FAD management and the adoption of management procedures (also known as harvest strategies) for some key stocks, show what can be achieved when IOTC members translate science-based recommendations into action.

The focus now shifts to making progress on additional sustainability priorities for Indian Ocean tuna fisheries management. As detailed in the ISSF 2026 position statement, two priorities stand out: (1) reinforcing tuna stock conservation through effective management procedures, and (2) strengthening bycatch mitigation alongside the monitoring needed to support it.

Reinforcing Tuna Stock Conservation and Management Procedures

Management procedures are designed to guard fisheries managers against short-term decision-making and to instead follow pre-agreed, science-based rules. IOTC has made progress in this space, particularly on procedures for skipjack and bigeye. The immediate challenge is ensuring these harvest frameworks are indeed implemented — and function as intended.

Recent catch trends underscore this need. For both skipjack and bigeye, catches actually have exceeded agreed limits in prior years. When this happens, the credibility and effectiveness of management procedures are weakened. To maintain both stock health and confidence in the system, catch limits derived from management procedures must be fully activated in tandem with measures to prevent actual catches from exceeding those limits.

Yellowfin requires particular attention. Current scientific advice indicates the stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing. Maintaining that status will require sustained management discipline and compliance. ISSF is urging the Commission to adopt a total allowable catch (TAC) for 2026-2028 that does not exceed the level recommended by its Scientific Committee, and to ensure that this limit is respected in practice. Catch levels above that range introduce a clear risk of reversing recent gains.

There is also unfinished work on management procedures. Progress on yellowfin and albacore management procedures has been slower than needed, with funding and technical work still outstanding. Advancing these processes — including securing resources for management strategy evaluation and adopting permanent reference points — would lay the foundation for adopting management procedures for these two tuna stocks in the near term, further strengthening the Commission’s overall tuna management framework.

ISSF urges IOTC to secure funding for yellowfin and albacore work at this year’s meeting to accelerate the development of management procedures for both stocks.

Strengthening Bycatch Mitigation — Supported by Better Monitoring

Mitigating and reducing bycatch remains central to protecting ocean ecosystems. Sharks, rays, seabirds, cetaceans, and sea turtles continue to face pressure in the Indian Ocean, and existing mitigation measures do not yet reflect the full suite of current best practices.

ISSF is calling for targeted updates across several areas: requiring sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached without exceptions or alternatives; updating safe handling-and-release best practices for vulnerable species — especially for mobulids this year; and modernizing seabird and sea turtle measures in line with the latest scientific guidance.

The effectiveness of any bycatch measure depends on monitoring and reliable data. Without independent verification, it is difficult to assess compliance and effectiveness or understand the scale of interactions with non-target species. Yet observer coverage in the IOTC area remains far behind other tuna RFMOs, with minimum requirements set at just 5%. Increasing that level is a necessary and overdue step. ISSF is urging the Commission to adopt measures to begin increasing observer coverage, using both human observers and electronic monitoring (EM), from the current, inadequate 5% level towards 100%.

EM offers a practical route to scale coverage, improve data quality, and strengthen oversight across fleets. The tools are already available. Expanding their use would support not only monitoring effective bycatch mitigation but also broader compliance and fisheries management objectives.

Maintaining Momentum for Sustainability Improvements

IOTC’s advances in recent years demonstrate that consistent and forward-looking action can deliver measurable improvements. Sustaining that momentum requires follow-through — ensuring that agreed-upon measures are implemented and complied with; that management frameworks are completed; and that monitoring systems provide the transparency and data needed for accountability and scientific analyses.

ISSF will continue to work with Commission members and stakeholders to advance practical, science-based solutions. The path forward is clear: Align catch limits with scientific advice; complete the work needed to adopt additional management procedures; strengthen bycatch mitigation; and put in place the monitoring tools needed to make these measures effective.

 

 

 

 

A Global View of ISSF & Tuna Industry Influence for Sustainable Fishing Policies

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Web Features.

Beginning with a network of 24 leading progressive seafood companies and extending to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified tuna fisheries and tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs) — including stakeholders that ISSF technical experts engage with — ISSF’s advocacy partnerships with the fishing industry have a broad global reach and impact. This Web feature visualizes that “influence network” in four major tuna fishing regions.

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

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) today announced the release of the fourth edition of its Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Purse Seine Fishing Practices — a comprehensive and practical resource for tuna fishers worldwide. The guidebook shares up-to-date ISSF recommendations on the steps purse-seine skippers can take to mitigate bycatch and protect non-target species and marine ecosystems in their fisheries.

Image of cover for purse seine skippers guidebook
Purse-seine skippers can download the guidebook in 10 languages — or read it online in English.

The new edition is available at issfguidebooks.org in Webpage format in English and as downloadable PDFs in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, ensuring broad accessibility across global tuna-fishing regions.

“The guidebook is the result of years of hands-on research and collaboration,” said Dr. Victor Restrepo, ISSF Vice President of Science and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee. “It draws on at-sea trials of bycatch mitigation techniques; testing of non-entangling, biodegradable fish aggregating devices; input from research institutes and environmental non-governmental organizations; and direct feedback from skippers through ISSF workshops. By bringing together science and real-world experience, we are equipping tuna fishers with practical tools they can use every day to reduce impacts and continuously improve the sustainability of their fisheries.”

What’s New in the Fourth Edition

Key updates in the approximately 75-page purse-seine guidebook include:

  • Chapter 2: Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
    • Expanded text and visuals on effective FAD management
    • Updated guidance on FAD data collection and monitoring
    • New insights into FAD structure impacts on marine animals and ecosystems
    • Enhanced guidance on non-entangling and biodegradable FAD designs
  • Chapter 3: Bycatch Mitigation and Handling
    • Introduction of the bycatch mitigation “hierarchy,” outlining step-by-step actions before and during fishing to reduce bycatch
    • New visuals of shark and ray species commonly encountered in purse-seine tuna fisheries
    • Updated bycatch mitigation techniques to avoid the unintended capture of non-target species or enable safe handling and release — including shark release ramps and manta ray sorting grids collaboratively developed and tested by tuna fishers and ISSF scientists to safely return these vulnerable species to the water
    • Research on use of acoustic discrimination equipment to improve gear selectivity
  • Chapter 4: Fisheries Management
    • Streamlined profiles of the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) overseeing tuna fisheries worldwide

The guidebook features exclusive ISSF photographs and links to videos and related Web content.

“Our updated guidebook reflects ISSF’s longstanding commitment to turning science into action. Developed in collaboration with our science team, industry partners, and fisheries experts, it embodies our core approach — science-led innovation implemented at scale through collaboration and verification. By continually incorporating the latest research, evolving best practices, and RFMO requirements, we help ensure that sustainability progress is not only defined, but delivered,” said Susan Jackson, ISSF President.

Helping Purse-Seine Tuna Fishers Meet ISSF Conservation Measure Requirements

As a continuing-education resource for purse-seine tuna fishers, the guidebook helps to support seafood company and vessel compliance with ISSF Conservation Measure 3.4.

By reviewing the guidebook and completing its concluding form, skippers fulfill a bycatch education requirement for (1) ISSF Participating Companies and (2) purse-seine vessels listed on the ISSF ProActive Vessel Register — directly linking fishing best-practices capacity building with verified industry sustainability commitments.

The purse-seine guidebook is part of a broader ISSF suite of guides for other fishing gear types as well as tuna fishery observers:

  • Longline skippers guidebook (third edition), available in multiple languages
  • Purse-seine observers guide (first edition), in English, French, and Spanish

All guides can be found at issfguidebooks.org, which also offers species identification guides and other resources for tuna fishers.

Together, these materials form a cornerstone of ISSF’s global fisher-outreach program — which encompasses in-person skippers workshops, videos, and other downloadable materials such as bycatch mitigation infographics, posters, and construction guides for building more sustainable FADs.

ISSF Board Repeals Conservation Measure on Indian Ocean Yellowfin Tuna

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

The Board of Directors of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) voted to repeal ISSF Conservation Measure 1.3 – IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding following a review of updated scientific advice on the status of Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna.

ISSF adopted Conservation Measure 1.3 in 2021 in response to scientific assessments at the time indicating that the Indian Ocean yellowfin stock was overfished and experiencing overfishing, and in the absence of effective management action by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). The measure required ISSF participating companies to reduce their sourcing of Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna by between 11 and 22 percent and to publicly report on their commitments and implementation efforts.

Based on the most recent assessment and subsequent methodological review completed in 2025 by the IOTC Scientific Committee, Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna is no longer classified as overfished nor subject to overfishing. These improvements occurred during a period of strengthened fisheries oversight and voluntary industry action aligned with scientific advice, including sourcing reductions implemented by ISSF participating companies.

“ISSF adopted CM 1.3 to support stock rebuilding at a time when scientific advice clearly indicated urgent action was needed and wasn’t being taken by the IOTC,” said Susan Jackson, President of ISSF. “While stock recovery is driven by multiple factors, the actions taken by ISSF participating companies to follow the scientific advice at the time demonstrates how industry can contribute constructively when management processes are lacking.”

While the measure was in effect, ISSF participating companies in total reduced their sourcing of Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna by more than 30 percent compared to historical baselines — exceeding the reduction levels originally envisioned under the measure and reflecting a strong, united response to the scientific advice in effect at the time.

The repeal of Conservation Measure 1.3 does not change ISSF’s continued engagement with IOTC, where ISSF will continue to advocate for science-based management measures, including catch limits consistent with scientific advice, to ensure the long-term sustainability of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.

The improvement in Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna status is also reflected in ISSF’s January 2026 Status of the Stocks report, which shows the stock status changing from an uncertain (yellow) to healthy (green) abundance rating. In addition, the report further notes that no major commercial tuna stocks worldwide are currently classified as overfished or experiencing overfishing.

97% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Abundance Levels; Nearly 100% Not Experiencing Overfishing

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

Ninety-seven percent of the world’s total commercial tuna catch now comes from stocks at “healthy” abundance levels, according to the January 2026 International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report. This increase is a ten-percentage-point increase from the previous March 2025 report. At the same time, nearly 100% of the global tuna catch comes from stocks not experiencing overfishing, indicating that tuna fisheries are not only biologically healthy but also being harvested at sustainable levels. Both figures represent the highest levels ever reported by ISSF.

Download the report PDF or read it online.

“These results did not happen by chance. They reflect many years of sustained investment in science-based fisheries management — including improved data, stock assessments methods, and management frameworks — the adoption of harvest strategies, and stronger oversight by tuna regional fisheries management organizations,” said Victor Restrepo, ISSF Vice President of Science and Chair of the ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee. “When ISSF began reporting these metrics in 2011, only 70% of the global tuna catch came from stocks at healthy abundance levels, and just 71% came from stocks not experiencing overfishing. The progress we see today is the result of long-term, coordinated efforts.”

Several stocks showed measurable progress in abundance or spawning biomass (SSB):

  • Atlantic Ocean bigeye: improved from yellow to green
  • Indian Ocean bigeye: improved from orange to yellow
  • Pacific Ocean bluefin: improved from orange to yellow
  • Indian Ocean yellowfin: improved from yellow to green

The change in exploitation rate or fishing mortality (F) is limited to Indian Ocean bigeye, improving from orange to green.

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 January 2026 report are available here and here.

Key Statistics in the New Status of the Stocks Report

  • Abundance or SSB levels: Globally, 74% of the 23 stocks are at a healthy level of abundance — up nine percentage points since the March 2025 report. No stocks are overfished, and 26% remain at intermediate levels.
  • Fishing mortality levels: Ninety-six percent of the 23 stocks are not experiencing overfishing — an improvement of five percentage points from the March 2025 report. None are experiencing overfishing and about 4% are at an intermediate level — unchanged since March 2025.
  • Harvest strategies: About 52% of the global tuna catch now comes from stocks with adopted Harvest Strategies (Management Procedures). Key RFMO actions since the previous report include the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission adopting a management procedure and harvest control rule for South Pacific albacore, and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas adopting a management procedure and harvest control rule for Western Atlantic skipjack.
  • Tuna production by fishing gear: Sixty-six percent of the catch is made by purse seining, followed by longline (9%), pole-and-line (7%), gillnets (3%) and miscellaneous gears (15%).
  • Tuna production by species: Fifty-eight percent of the catch corresponds to skipjack tuna, followed by yellowfin (30%), bigeye (7%), and albacore (4%). Bluefin tunas account for 1% of the global catch.
  • 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, Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack, Indian Ocean skipjack, and Indian Ocean yellowfin.
  • Total catch: The global catch of albacore, bigeye, bluefin, skipjack, and yellowfin was 5.8 million tonnes in 2024, an 11% increase from 2023 levels.

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 January 2026.

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 MS Criteria provides scores for the stocks and RFMOs based on Marine Stewardship Council 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.

 

Acoustic Technology and Discrimination Workshop (2025)

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Videos.

In 2025 in Bermeo, Spain, ISSF hosted a workshop with tuna fishers and scientists to discuss how to use acoustic discrimination technology to fish more selectively and reduce bycatch. to convene purse-seine and pole-and-line fishers with fisheries scientists.

The video is in Spanish with English subtitles. The workshop was supported by ISSF, FAO, and AZTI. Learn more about acoustic discrimination research.

ISSF Adopts New Conservation Measure to Strengthen Social Accountability at Land-Based Tuna Production Facilities

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has adopted a new conservation measure (CM) related to social and labor practices at land-based tuna production facilities owned or controlled by ISSF Participating Companies.

ISSF Conservation Measure 9.2 – Social Audits for Land-Based Tuna Production Facilities establishes clear expectations for independent, third-party labor audits conducted under internationally recognized audit programs. The measure builds on ISSF’s existing CM 9.1 – Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards, strengthening implementation and verification at land-based operations. CM 9.2 was adopted in November 2025 as a forward-looking commitment and is being announced now to provide early clarity and transparency for Participating Companies and stakeholders.

Under the measure:

ISSF’s approach to social and labor responsibility spans both vessel operations and land-based activities. ISSF CM 9.1 requires ISSF Participating Companies to maintain and publicly disclose a policy on social and labor standards that applies across their operations, including fishing vessels. ISSF CM 9.2 complements that policy framework by establishing clear, auditable expectations for independent verification at company-owned or -controlled land-based tuna production facilities.

“ISSF Conservation Measures are periodically reviewed and refined to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with evolving best practices,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “By building on our existing public social and labor policy requirement, this measure articulates the expectation that such policies are to be implemented and verified at land-based operations. Importantly, it reinforces that addressing social and labor risks is an ongoing responsibility — not a one-time exercise — necessitating continued industry engagement and improvement.”

As with all ISSF Conservation Measures, compliance with CM 9.2 will be independently assessed and publicly reported through ISSF’s established third-party audit and compliance review process.

 

The State of Global Tuna Sustainability in 2026: Momentum, Modernization, and the Path Ahead

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

As we begin 2026, there is real reason for optimism about the state of global tuna fisheries. After more than a decade of focused work by scientists, managers, industry, and the NGO community — including ISSF— the foundations of sustainable tuna management are stronger than ever. Most of the world’s tuna catch comes from stocks at healthy levels, and a growing share comes from fisheries managed under modern, science-based frameworks.

This progress did not happen by chance. It reflects sustained investment in science, improved international cooperation, and a shared recognition that long-term sustainability is not only an environmental imperative but also a prerequisite for resilient seafood supply chains as well as coastal communities and fishing livelihoods.

At the same time, 2026 is a pivotal year. The gains we have made must now be implemented and globally extended. Success will depend on whether tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) can continue to make the necessary improvements to transition to fully modern fisheries governance.

Recent Progress: Science Is Delivering

Across tuna RFMOs, we are seeing tangible results from science-based management. Harvest strategies — also known as management procedures, with pre-agreed rules for making fishing management decisions that respond automatically to stock status — are increasingly replacing annual political negotiations. These approaches are now in place or advancing for key stocks across all ocean basins, including skipjack, albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna.

We applaud this momentum: Progress on specific management procedures for some stocks underscores the value of science-based approaches. However, many harvest strategies remain incomplete or not yet operational. Progress in 2026 to advance or adopt needed harvest strategies for certain tuna stocks is essential.

We have also seen meaningful advances in fish aggregating device (FAD) management, including improved data collection and efforts to support FAD designs that reduce both environmental impacts and marine pollution. Yet key elements — such as the scope, pace, and consistency of reforms — remain unresolved in several regions and need to be a focus in 2026.

In addition, electronic monitoring (EM) is increasingly recognized as an essential tool to strengthen transparency and compliance for tuna fisheries, especially in longline fleets where observer coverage remains inadequate. Although standards and technical tools exist, progress toward broad, operational implementation remains uneven and will require concerted action in 2026.

Effective monitoring, whether human or electronic, is foundational. It underpins credible bycatch mitigation, supports compliance, and strengthens confidence in reported data. The tools now exist; the challenge ahead is implementation at scale.

Priorities for 2026: From Agreement to Action

Recent fisheries management wins deserve recognition, but 2026 must be the year of follow-through.

First, RFMOs must complete and operationalize harvest strategies across all major tuna stocks. Partial coverage leaves gaps that undermine performance and market confidence. In contrast, fully implemented management procedures provide stability for fishers and processors while safeguarding stocks against uncertainty.

Compliance and transparency systems must continue to strengthen. Robust compliance processes using verifiable data will ensure that agreed measures are implemented consistently across fleets and flag States, reinforcing accountability and trust.

Finally, ecosystem impacts cannot be relegated to a secondary consideration. Advancing bycatch mitigation, shark conservation, and protections for vulnerable species and ecosystems must move in parallel with stock management progress. Sustainability must not be measured only by stock status but also by how responsibly fisheries operate in the ecosystem. 

A Call to Action

For sustainable tuna fisheries, with a decade of focused efforts and experience behind us, we know what is needed and what works. We have the science, the tools, and, increasingly, the experience to manage these fisheries responsibly.

In 2026, ISSF calls on governments, industry leaders, and market partners to do three things: stay anchored in science, commit to full implementation of agreed reforms, and work collaboratively across regions and sectors to achieve them. Sustainable tuna fisheries are not built through isolated actions but through collective, sustained effort.

The progress achieved in 2025 shows that science-based management works — but delivering lasting sustainability in tuna fisheries will depend on whether RFMOs again turn those commitments into measurable action in 2026.

Biodegradable FAD construction workshops in Ghana 2025

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Videos.

Purse-seine fishers in Ghana learned in a hands-on workshop how to construct fish aggregating devices (FADs) made with natural, local, and biodegradable materials to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. Working with fisheries scientists, they built bio-FAD models — two cubic designs, and one cylindrical design — from start to finish. The 2025 workshop was hosted by ISSF with support from FAO, GEF, and the Common Oceans Tuna Project.

Skippers Workshop in Ghana 2025

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Videos.

In Tema, Ghana, ISSF hosted a skippers workshop in 2025 to convene purse-seine and pole-and-line fishers with fisheries scientists. Together they discussed approaches for reducing tuna fishing’s impact on the marine ecosystem — covering FADs, bycatch mitigation, acoustic discrimination of species, and more. The workshop was supported by ISSF, FAO, GEF, and the Common Oceans Tuna Project.