Our “snapshots” identify best practices that Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) should follow to manage tuna fisheries sustainably.

In detailed tables, the snapshots compare tuna RFMO progress in implementing the practices.

For a high-level comparison across the five RFMOs, see our Tuna RFMO Best Practice Performance “scorecard” below. We also publish companion “best-practices reports” on these topics and “RFMO progress” infographics.

RFMO Best Practices Snapshots tagged with Best Practices

Image Title Date Author(s) Language RFMO(s) Tag(s) Category Company Report Type Activity Year
Image Title Date Author(s) Language RFMO(s) Tag(s) Category Company Report Type Activity Year
Addressing FAD Ecological Impacts: Research & Best Practices to Reduce Bycatch and Ocean Debris December 10, 2018 English N/A Best Practices, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, science Infographics N/A Final December 10, 2018
Best Bycatch Release Practices in Tuna Purse Seiners March 7, 2018 English N/A Best Practices, Bycatch Mitigation, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Infographics N/A Final March 7, 2018
FAD Use, FIPs, & the MSC Standard September 24, 2019 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, FADs, Fisheries Improvement Projects, MSC Certification, Purse Seine, Tuna Infographics N/A Final September 24, 2019
ISSF / IPNLF Skippers’ Guidebook to Pole-and-Line Fishing Best Practices July 11, 2019 ISSF, IPNLF English N/A Best Practices, Pole and Line, Skippers Guidebook, Tuna Guides & Best Practices N/A Final July 11, 2019
ISSF 2019-11: Recommended Best Practices for FAD Management in Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries July 31, 2019 Dr. Victor Restrepo, Holly Koehler, Dr. Gala Moreno, Dr. Hilario Murua English N/A Best Practices, FADs, Purse Seine Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report July 31, 2019
ISSF 2020-10: Recommended Best Practices for Tuna Longline Fisheries in Transition to MSC Certification* March 16, 2020 Dr. Victor Restrepo, Juan Pedro Monteagudo, Ana Justel-Rubio, Dr. Hilario Murua English N/A Best Practices, Fisheries Improvement Projects, Longline, MSC Certification, Tuna Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report March 16, 2020
ISSF 2020-11: Recommended Best Practices for Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries in Transition to MSC Certification, with an Emphasis on FADs* March 16, 2020 Dr. Victor Restrepo, Ana Justel-Rubio, Juan Pedro Monteagudo, Dr. Gala Moreno, Dr. Hilario Murua English N/A Best Practices, FADs, Fisheries Improvement Projects, MSC Certification, Purse Seine, Tuna Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports N/A Technical Report March 16, 2020
ISSF 2020-15: Information and Monitoring Best Practices for Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries Relative to the MSC Standard September 8, 2020 Dr. Hilario Murua, Ana Justel-Rubio, Dr. Gala Moreno, Dr. Victor Restrepo English N/A Best Practices, FADs, Fisheries Improvement Projects, MSC Certification, Purse Seine Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports N/A Technical Report September 8, 2020
ISSF 2021-05: Survey of Human Observer Programs for Purse Seine Vessels and a Set of Best Practices* April 21, 2021 Holly Koehler English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, Observer Coverage, Observer Programs, Purse Seine, RFMOs, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports N/A Technical Report April 21, 2021
ISSF 2022-02: ISSF Responsible Fishing Guidelines for Tuna Longline Fisheries January 27, 2022 Juan Pedro Monteagudo, Dr. Hilario Murua, Dr. Victor Restrepo, Holly Koehler English N/A Best Practices, Fisheries Improvement Projects, Longline, MSC Certification, Tuna Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report January 27, 2022
ISSF 2022-05: Tuna RFMO Compliance Assessment Processes: A Comparative Analysis to Identify Best Practices* April 4, 2022 Holly Koehler English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, Compliance, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report April 4, 2022
ISSF 2022-06: RFMO Vessel Monitoring Systems: A Comparative Analysis to Identify Best Practices* May 3, 2023 Holly Koehler English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Vessel Monitoring System, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report May 3, 2023
ISSF 2022-07: Port State Measures in Tuna RFMOs: Benchmarking RFMO Port State Measures Against the 2009 FAO PSMA and Identifying Gaps* May 3, 2023 Holly Koehler English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, Port State Measures, RFMOs, Tuna, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report May 3, 2023
ISSF 2022-08: Combatting IUU Fishing: Continual Improvement and Best Practices for IUU Listing Measures in Tuna RFMOs* April 3, 2023 Holly Koehler, Claire van der Geest English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Vessel Lists, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report April 3, 2023
ISSF 2022-10: Transshipment: Strengthening Tuna RFMO Transshipment Regulations* May 18, 2022 Claire van der Geest English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, IUU, MCS, RFMOs, Transshipment, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report May 18, 2022
ISSF 2022-11: Tuna RFMO Authorised Vessel Lists: A Comparative Analysis to Identify Best Practices* May 16, 2022 Claire van der Geest English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, MCS, RFMOs, Vessel Lists, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report May 16, 2022
ISSF 2022-12: Survey of the Treatment of Support/Supply/Tender Vessels in Tuna RFMOs* May 19, 2022 Holly Koehler, Dr. Gala Moreno English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, FADs, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Supply Vessel, WCPFC Best Practices Reports, Scientific Reports, Technical Reports N/A Technical Report May 19, 2022
Longline FIPs Best Practices Checklist April 28, 2020 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, Fisheries Improvement Projects, Longline Guides & Best Practices N/A Final April 28, 2020
Minimum Standards for Vessel Electronic Monitoring Systems June 19, 2020 English N/A Best Practices, Electronic Monitoring & Reporting, Purse Seine, Tuna Infographics N/A Final June 19, 2020
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (English) October 8, 2019 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (French) October 8, 2019 ISSF French N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Indonesian) October 8, 2019 ISSF Indonesian N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Japanese) October 8, 2019 ISSF Japanese N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Korean) October 8, 2019 ISSF Korean N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Simplified Chinese) October 8, 2019 ISSF Simplified Chinese N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Spanish) October 10, 2019 ISSF Spanish N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 10, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Tagalog) October 8, 2019 ISSF Tagalog N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Traditional Chinese) October 8, 2019 ISSF Traditional Chinese N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Non-Entangling and Biodegradable FADs Guide (Vietnamese) October 8, 2019 ISSF Vietnamese N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, Bycatch, Bycatch Mitigation, Ecosystem, FADs, Ghost Fishing, Non-Entangling FADs, RFMOs, science, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Guides & Best Practices, Non-Entangling FADs, Translated N/A Guide October 8, 2019
Poster of Bycatch Best Practices (Chinese Translation) March 7, 2018 Simplified Chinese N/A Best Practices, Bycatch Mitigation, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Infographics, Translated N/A Final March 7, 2018
Poster of Bycatch Best Practices (Indonesian Translation) March 7, 2018 Indonesian N/A Best Practices, Bycatch Mitigation, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Infographics, Translated N/A Final March 7, 2018
Poster of Bycatch Best Practices (Korean Translation) March 7, 2018 Korean N/A Best Practices, Bycatch Mitigation, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Infographics, Translated N/A Final March 7, 2018
Poster of Bycatch Best Practices (Vietnamese Translation) September 6, 2018 Vietnamese N/A Best Practices, Bycatch Mitigation, Skippers Workshops Bycatch, Infographics, Translated N/A Final September 6, 2018
Purse Seine FIPs Best Practices Checklist April 28, 2020 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, Fisheries Improvement Projects, Purse Seine Guides & Best Practices N/A Final April 28, 2020
Reducing FAD Impacts on Ocean & Coastal Ecosystems November 13, 2018 English N/A Best Practices, Biodegradable FADs, FADs, Ghost Fishing, science Infographics N/A N/A November 13, 2018
RFMO Best Practice Performance June 1, 2022 English CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, WCPFC Best Practices, CCSBT, Compliance, FADs, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, IUU, Observer Coverage, RFMOs, Supply Vessel, Transshipment, Vessel Lists, Vessel Monitoring System, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Final June 1, 2022
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2021: Observer Requirements March 1, 2021 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, Observer Coverage, Observer Programs, RFMOs, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot March 1, 2021
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: Authorised Vessel Lists May 16, 2022 English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Vessel Lists, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot May 16, 2022
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: Compliance Processes April 4, 2022 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, Compliance, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot April 4, 2022
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: FAD Management May 23, 2022 English N/A Best Practices, FADs, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot May 23, 2022
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: IUU Vessel Listing April 3, 2023 English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Vessel Lists, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot April 3, 2023
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: Transshipment Regulation September 2, 2022 English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Transshipment, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot September 2, 2022
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: Treatment of Supply & Tender Vessels by RFMO May 19, 2022 English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Supply Vessel, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot May 19, 2022
RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2022: Vessel Monitoring Systems May 3, 2023 ISSF English N/A Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, RFMOs, Vessel Monitoring System, WCPFC RFMO Best Practices Snapshots N/A Snapshot May 3, 2023