Web Features, Web Feature A Global View of ISSF & Tuna Industry Influence for Sustainable Fishing Policies  Mapping an Advocacy Network’s Reach Across RFMO Regions Published October 2024 Scroll Down╲╱ This story is best viewed on a larger device. Beginning with a network of 23 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.   *As of September 2024. Leading by Example The scope, effectiveness, and enforcement of tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) regulations for fleets — covering fishing limits, FAD management, bycatch mitigation, transshipment, compliance processes, and much more — differ from region to region. Through their individual and joint advocacy activities, ISSF and other sustainable-fishing stakeholders — including ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified tuna fisheries, and tuna FIPs — raise concerns and make recommendations to RFMOs, urging them to continuously refine and improve their fishing policies to follow best practices. Their RFMO advocacy takes various forms, from sharing research findings and data to sending letters, serving on committees, making presentations, and attending meetings. Ultimately, each stakeholder group’s advocacy activity helps to amplify other advocate voices. Mapping the Advocacy Network Tuna RFMO Policymakers Four RFMOs — IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, and WCPFC — set policies for tropical-tuna fishing throughout their respective regions in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Influencer Activity Locations Within RFMOs ISSF’s longstanding objective is to continuously improve the sustainability of global tuna fisheries and the ecosystems that support them to result in those fisheries meeting and maintaining the MSC certification standard. For support in meeting that objective, ISSF encourages its participating companies, partner NGOs, and other stakeholders to join us in asking tuna RFMOs to evolve their policies — and better protect marine life and ecosystems. To visualize the distribution of three “influencer groups” in particular — ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified fisheries, and tuna FIPs — we mapped their activity locations within the member countries, cooperating non-member countries, and territories of the four RFMO regions where most of the world’s tuna is caught. Influencer Saturation As a next step, based on the extent of the geographic presence of these companies, fisheries, and FIPs, we calculated their collective influence “saturation” level in each RFMO region. In our assessment, we found that ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified tuna fisheries, and tuna FIPs are positioned to influence between 77%-97% of the decision-making member countries that adopt measures and policies in the tropical-tuna RFMOs.To see influencer location and saturation in the RFMOs, scroll through the following maps, which are reviewed and updated quarterly. NOTE: In addition to appreciating the advocacy clout of these stakeholder groups, it is important to acknowledge the impact that another stakeholder group — aligned environmental NGOs — has on shaping RFMO policies. NGO influence is a significant factor in promoting greater sustainability in tuna fisheries. But that influence is difficult to visualize geographically because of the dispersed nature of NGO activities, and thus NGO stakeholders are not reflected on the following maps. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Established: 1950Headquarters: La Jolla, California, USAArea of Competence: Pacific Ocean waters east of 150° (EPO) ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified or -assessed tuna fisheries, and tuna FIPs are positioned to influence of the decision-making member countries in IATTC. International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Established: 1969Headquarters: Madrid, SpainArea of Competence: Atlantic Ocean, including adjacent seas (e.g., Mediterranean, Caribbean) ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified or -assessed tuna fisheries, and tuna FIPs are positioned to influence of the decision-making member countries in ICCAT. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Established: 1996. IOTC was established under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution (it is the only Tuna RFMO established in this way).Headquarters: Victoria, SeychellesArea of Competence: The Indian Ocean (IO, defined for the purpose of the Agreement as being FAO Statistical Areas 51 and 57), and adjacent seas, north of the Antarctic Convergence. In 1999, the Commission extended the western boundary of the IOTC statistical area from 30ºE to 20ºE, thus eliminating the gap in between the areas covered by the IOTC and ICCAT. ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified or -assessed tuna fisheries, and tuna FIPs are positioned to influence of the decision-making member countries in IOTC. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Established: 2004Headquarters: Kolonia, Pohnpei State, Federated States of MicronesiaArea of Competence: Approximately, Pacific Ocean waters West of 150°W to the North of 4°S and waters West of 130°W to the South of 4°S (WPO) ISSF participating companies, MSC-certified or -assessed tuna fisheries, and tuna FIPs are positioned to influence of the decision-making member countries in WCPFC. Advocating for Sustainable Fishing In managing tuna fisheries, RFMOs consider input from external agencies and experts — including ISSF and the stakeholder groups reflected on our maps:  As constituents of RFMO member countries, ISSF participating seafood companies serve on advisory committees and national delegations and meet with government representatives in their regions. They leverage ISSF position statements, scientific and best practices reports, and other materials for their advocacy outreach to RFMOs.Tuna fisheries that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for meeting sustainability standards or are in assessment to be certified by MSC also are important influencers of RFMO policy. Like ISSF participating companies, these fisheries incorporate ISSF recommendations into their advocacy work.Participants in tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs), many of which are working toward MSC certification, also have a stake in urging RFMOs to adopt and enforce conservation measures for fleets that are based on best practices. ISSF Support & ResourcesISSF offers services and resources to help fisheries meet and maintain MSC certification standards — for example, by providing technical comments on MSC certification and assessment processes and publishing research based on MSC criteria.We also provide resources and other support for tuna FIPs and materials for RFMO advocacy, including ISSF’s recommended priority topics for RFMO decision-making as well as position statements outlining urgent issues for RFMO discussion at annual meetings. Learn More  ISSF Participating Companies MSC-Certified Tuna Fisheries Tuna FIPs About ISSF ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee  ©2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. INTERNATIONAL SEAFOOD SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION Image captions TopBuilt with Shorthand