Each year, we identify priority actions for tropical-tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) to take to improve fishery sustainability in their regions.
To shape RFMO discussion and decision-making, ISSF’s science and advocacy experts have outlined their concerns and advice below. Our position statements — which we disseminate ahead of RFMO annual meetings and special sessions — explore and expand on these priority topics.
ISSF participating seafood companies also reinforce ISSF recommendations through their own direct advocacy to RFMOs. Our Web feature story maps their influence network, including MSC-certified and -assessed fisheries and tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs), in IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, and WCPFC.
Use the tabs below to review ISSF’s priorities for — or our “asks” of — each individual RFMO.
INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISSION
Accelerate the adoption, and implementation of, comprehensive, precautionary harvest strategies for all tropical tuna stocks and other targeted fish stocks.
Adopt effective measures to control South Pacific albacore tuna catches and cooperate with WCPFC on a stock-wide management procedure through the WCPFC-IATTC Joint Working Group.
Strengthen RFMO compliance processes and ensure robust and transparent assessment of RFMO member accountability.
FAD MANAGEMENT
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Strengthen FAD management measures and provisions
ELECTRONIC MONITORING/ELECTRONIC REPORTING & OBSERVER COVERAGE
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More fully embrace use of EM to increase monitoring coverage on large-scale longline vessels from 5% and begin coverage of small purse seine vessels
MONITORING, CONTROL & SURVEILLANCE MEASURES
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Strengthen the regulation of at-sea transshipment, and implementation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and Port State Measures, in line with best practices
BYCATCH & SHARKS
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Strengthen bycatch mitigation measures for all species in line with scientific best practices. Require fins to be naturally attached for all retained sharks without exceptions or alternatives
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ATLANTIC TUNAS
- Ensure any changes to the tropical tuna conservation measure maintain bigeye and yellowfin catches at sustainable levels as recommended by the ICCAT Scientific Committee.
- Ensure any changes to the South Atlantic Albacore measure maintain catches at sustainable levels.
- Fully allocate the total allowable catch (TAC) for yellowfin tuna.
Strengthen RFMO compliance processes and ensure robust and transparent assessment of RFMO member accountability.
FAD MANAGEMENT
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Strengthen FAD management measures and provisions
ELECTRONIC MONITORING/ELECTRONIC REPORTING & OBSERVER COVERAGE
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More fully embrace use of EM to increase monitoring coverage on large-scale longline vessels from the current 10% requirement
HARVEST STRATEGIES
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Accelerate the development of multi-stock management procedures for bigeye, yellowfin, and Eastern Atlantic skipjack stocks, South Atlantic albacore, and other targeted stocks
MONITORING, CONTROL & SURVEILLANCE MEASURES
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Strengthen vessel monitoring systems (VMS) in line with best practices
BYCATCH & SHARKS
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Strengthen bycatch mitigation measures for all species in line with scientific best practices, and require fins to be naturally attached for all retained sharks without exceptions or alternatives
INDIAN OCEAN TUNA COMMISSION
- As recommended by the IOTC Scientific Committee, adopt a total allowable catch (TAC) for yellowfin tuna for 2026-2028 that does not exceed the median maximum sustainable yield (MSY) estimate of 421,000 tonnes. Adopt measures to ensure the recommended TAC is not exceeded.
- Implement effective measures to ensure that skipjack and bigeye catches do not exceed the catch limits established by the Harvest Control Rule for skipjack and the Management Procedure for bigeye.
Strengthen RFMO compliance processes and ensure robust and transparent assessment of RFMO member accountability.
FAD MANAGEMENT
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Further strengthen FAD management measures and provisions, including by fully implementing Res. 24/02
ELECTRONIC MONITORING/ELECTRONIC REPORTING & OBSERVER COVERAGE
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More fully embrace use of EM to increase monitoring coverage from 5% and adopt a binding measure on observer safety
MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
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Accelerate adoption and implementation of comprehensive, precautionary management procedures for all tuna stocks and other targeted fish stocks
MONITORING, CONTROL & SURVEILLANCE MEASURES
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Strengthen the regulation of at-sea transshipment, and implementation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and Port State Measures, in line with best practices
BYCATCH & SHARKS
- Strengthen bycatch mitigation measures for all species in line with scientific best practices. Require fins to be naturally attached for all retained sharks without exceptions or alternatives.
WESTERN & CENTRAL PACIFIC FISHERIES COMMISSION
Adopt yellowfin target reference points and continue to develop bigeye and yellowfin management procedures.
Cooperate with IATTC on a stock-wide management procedure through the WCPFC-IATTC Joint Working Group.
Strengthen RFMO compliance processes and ensure robust and transparent assessment of RFMO member accountability.
FAD MANAGEMENT
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Strengthen FAD management measures and provisions, including by establishing a timeline to transition to biodegradable FADs
ELECTRONIC MONITORING/ELECTRONIC REPORTING & OBSERVER COVERAGE
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More fully embrace use of EM to increase monitoring coverage on large-scale longline vessels from current 5% requirement
MONITORING, CONTROL & SURVEILLANCE MEASURES
-
Strengthen the regulation of at-sea transshipment, and implementation of Port State Measures, in line with best practices
BYCATCH & SHARKS
-
Strengthen bycatch mitigation measures for all taxa in line with scientific best practices, and require fins naturally attached for all retained sharks without exceptions or alternatives
Industry Advocacy to RFMOs
Our feature story maps an “influence network” of sustainable-tuna stakeholders — including ISSF participating companies — across four tuna RFMOs.
Tuna Catches by RFMO Region
Use our “Interactive Stock Status and Catch Tool” to visualize stock health trends, current tuna catch, and catch trends over time by ocean region.
Download the data in different file formats, and generate custom graphics to share via email, Twitter, or Facebook.
Position Statements
ISSF position statements detail our sustainability recommendations to help tuna RFMOs make informed policy decisions.
