June 8 is World Oceans Day, and this year’s theme is Awaken New Depths. We join our colleagues in this celebration to explore new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration, commitment, and more. Accordingly, our E News highlights ISSF’s work with scientists, fishers, vessels, seafood companies, and conservationists in helping to reduce the impact of tuna fishing on the marine ecosystem.
Featured Story
SLIDESHOW: Setting Sail for Science
Biologist Dr. Melissa Cronin spent six weeks on board the purse seine vessel Andrea 1, which left from Manta, Ecuador in March 2024. Melissa traveled as part of an ISSF-and-partners project to test a bycatch reduction device for manta and devil rays.
A slideshow of images offers a behind-the-scenes look at Melissa’s experience on a working fishing vessel and reviews the goals and outcomes of this collaborative research.
Featured Content
ISSF Web Feature Explores Challenges and Solutions in FAD Fishing
“Fresh Thinking About FADs” is an immersive ISSF Web feature that illustrates ISSF’s efforts to foster sustainable fishing approaches. It tells the visual story of improving FAD design and management as readers scroll through interactive content that includes animated infographics and under-water photography. It describes how FADs have changed over time; the environmental drawbacks of conventional FAD designs; jelly-FAD characteristics that help to reduce bycatch and ocean pollution; and science-based solutions for more sustainable FAD design and management — which ultimately support healthier tuna fisheries and oceans.
Quote of Note
“We still have work to do toward improving the use of FADs while ensuring that there are plenty of fish in the sea. But we’ve made substantial progress to date. ISSF and likeminded organizations will continue to work toward achievable, science-based solutions for reducing the impact of FAD fishing on global tuna fisheries and the broader marine ecosystem.”
- Victor Restrepo, Vice President, Science, ISSF
Peer Reviewed Article
NEW! Simulating drifting fish aggregating device (FAD) trajectories to identify potential interactions with endangered sea turtles
This study’s overarching objective was to inform management of the dFAD fishery in the Pacific to limit the adverse effects it might cause on sea turtles and their critical habitats. Moreover, it would help inform the magnitude of these impacts in comparison with other anthropogenic threats (e.g., other fisheries, coastal development, pollution, climate change) to address and mitigate the primary risks.
More Articles from ISSF and Partners
Q&A
Verifying Sustainability Commitments in the Global Seafood Supply Chain
As part of its commitment to foster transparency and accountability in the fishing industry, ISSF engages third-party auditor MRAG Americas to assess ISSF participating seafood companies’ compliance with ISSF conservation measures according to a rigorous audit protocol. ISSF President Susan Jackson sat down with MRAG Americas Vice President Dr. Graeme Parkes to discuss the ISSF audit and compliance process.
