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FAD Management for Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries; ISSF Response to IOTC Session

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Disappointed by Lack of Agreement on FAD Management at Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

“We are disappointed that IOTC could not agree on revisions to improve its FAD management resolution this year, delaying progress on this critical issue until the 2022 Commission meeting,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “ISSF recognizes the importance of voting procedures as a tool for the RFMO decision-making process. Still, we strongly encourage all IOTC members to engage in collaborative discussions in the lead up to the 2022 annual meeting.

“Only through such ongoing communication can IOTC reach an agreement to strengthen FAD management that will be supported and effectively implemented by all parties.”

Read the full statement  

 

Featured Content

ICYMI: 87.7% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 87.7% of the global catch comes from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the latest International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report. In addition, 9.6% of the total tuna catch came from overfished stocks, and 2.7% came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance.

ISSF publishes its signature Status of the Stocks report twice each year using the most current scientific data on 23 major commercial tuna stocks. 

Learn more

 

ISSF in the News

ISSF’s Susan Jackson: Tuna stock-rebuilding efforts are working
Seafood Source

ISSF content with ICCAT outcomes, while Europeche left frustrated 
Undercurrent News

WCPFC faces test as expiration date nears for tropical tuna measure 
Seafood Source

ISSF tuna companies achieve full compliance with conservation measures
Undercurrent News

ISSF Disappointed by Lack of Agreement on FAD Management at Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

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

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) recently concluded a special meeting to consider amending its resolution 19/02 on the management of fish aggregating devices (FADs) — a resolution that was not adopted at the IOTC annual meeting in June 2021 due to lack of clarity and irregularities in the voting procedures. 

In a position statement issued before the IOTC annual meeting, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) called for: progress on science-based limits on FAD deployments and/or FAD sets; the development of FAD marking guidelines and FAD tracking and recovery policies; requiring the use of biodegradable materials in the construction of FADs, and establishing a timeline for transitioning to 100% biodegradable FADs.

Despite multiple opportunities to address the matter — first, at their annual meeting in June 2021 and again at a special meeting held November 29, 2021 — the Commission was unable to adopt amendments to strengthen its FAD management resolution.

“We are disappointed that IOTC could not agree on revisions to improve its FAD management resolution this year, delaying progress on this critical issue until the 2022 Commission meeting,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “ISSF recognizes the importance of voting procedures as a tool for the RFMO decision-making process. Still, we strongly encourage all IOTC members to engage in collaborative discussions in the lead up to the 2022 annual meeting.

“Only through such ongoing communication can IOTC reach an agreement to strengthen FAD management that will be supported and effectively implemented by all parties,” Jackson continued. “ISSF will continue to engage in advocacy on these and other Indian Ocean tuna sustainability priorities in the New Year.”

 

ISSF Assesses ICCAT Annual Meeting: Extended Tropical Tuna Measure and Progress on Electronic Monitoring Among Positive Meeting Outcomes

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) is welcoming some progress for Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries as the annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concludes. We are pleased to see that the Commission retained important management measures and agreed to twenty-four conservation measures in total – notable headway during a virtual format.

Here is a review of the outcomes of the ICCAT meeting against our organization’s top asks as outlined in our 2021 position statement.

Tropical Tuna Conservation Measure

Among the wins at ICCAT is the extension of the Commission’s tropical tuna measure with minor modifications. Continuing the measure in this way will safeguard tuna stock health into 2022.

We are disappointed, however, that certain critical elements of the measure were not tackled. For example, the Commission did not address the matter of total allowable catch (TAC) allocation among Commission members for yellowfin tuna. With the yellowfin catch exceeding TAC again in 2020, and the latest stock assessment showing yellowfin as close to the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) level, the stock may now be in worse shape than bigeye. Compliance with the yellowfin TAC must be addressed by the Commission.

FAD Management

Improved management measures for the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in tuna fisheries continually tops our list of RFMO “asks,” and our appeal to ICCAT this year was no different. While the Commission did not make substantial progress on FADs that answered our requests — the use of biodegradable materials, as well as FAD recovery policies, marking schemes, and ownership rules, among others — we are pleased that FAD provisions within the tropical tuna measure were maintained. Overall, there is much more work to do on FAD management at ICCAT in 2022.

Harvest Strategies

ISSF and partners have been consistently urging the accelerated adoption of harvest strategies for tunas across all regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs). This year, ICCAT adopted a harvest strategy for North Atlantic Albacore. This decision is welcome news, but the Commission must do more on this topic for the long-term protection of all Atlantic Ocean tuna stocks.

Electronic Monitoring

ICCAT moved to create a working group on electronic monitoring systems (EMS) at its annual meeting. Although ISSF had called for the adoption of minimum standards for electronic monitoring and 100% observer coverage (human and/or electronic), this decision is still good progress. Now, the ICCAT working group must move quickly for concrete action on EMS. In highlighting the vulnerability of human observer programs, the global pandemic has underscored the value of robust monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) tool for improved fisheries management.

Compliance Committee Action

Another bright spot at the ICCAT meeting came in movement on improving compliance processes for the Commission. Ahead of the meeting, ISSF requested that the ICCAT compliance committee address non-compliance by member nations with FAD data reporting requirements — requirements that are essential to better managing FAD use in Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries. We are therefore pleased that ICCAT reviewed this matter for the first time this year. Without accurate and complete data on FAD use by Commission members, management measures cannot be fact based or meaningful. Also of note, the Commission developed a “severity of sanctions document” that will be further refined as part of the overall ICCAT compliance program.

Protections for Sharks

Years of overfishing of shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and an associated decline in the species spurred ISSF and others in the NGO community to demand that ICCAT take action to protect these sharks. So we are relieved that ICCAT adopted a management plan for the North Atlantic shortfin mako stock, which includes a two-year ban on retention. Our ask that ICCAT also adopt a fins-naturally-attached provision for sharks was not answered, however, and we will continue our collaborative calls for action there.

There was a good spirit of cooperation among ICCAT parties this year; it was a meeting of partial hits and some misses. We hope you will join ISSF efforts to continue to demand progress for Atlantic Ocean tuna fisheries into the New Year. We will continue to work cooperatively with all ICCAT parties and with our diverse, multi-sector stakeholders to ensure the enduring health of the tunas and ecosystems of the Atlantic Ocean.

WCPFC Position Statement

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

ISSF has published its position statement in advance of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) annual meeting from November 29 to December 7, 2021, which will take place virtually. ISSF is advocating for continued strong protections for bigeye, skipjack and yellowfin tuna stocks; upgraded requirements related to the management and use of fish aggregating devices (FADs); accelerated development of harvest strategies; and more. 

“The current tuna conservation measure that protects tropical tuna stocks in the region expires in February 2022, and we agree with the WCPFC Scientific Committee that these protections must remain in place to ensure that fishing mortality does not increase,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “These protections are necessary until the Commission adopts comprehensive harvest strategies, including appropriate target reference points. The WCPFC’s annual meeting must adopt a new and robust tuna conservation measure to prevent the possibility of overexploitation while harvest strategies are put in place.” 

ISSF Top Priorities for WCPFC

  • Adopt an enforceable tropical tuna conservation measure for all fleets that limits fishing mortality for bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack while removing ambiguities and exemptions.
  • Adopt a work plan for FADs with a timeframe to transition to FADs without nets and made primarily with biodegradable materials; develop recovery policies, a marking scheme and ownership rules; and require submission of FAD position and acoustic data.
  • To meet the June 2023 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) deadline for harvest strategy conditions, adopt target reference points for bigeye and yellowfin; create a list of candidate management procedures for skipjack & albacore; and establish a scientist/manager dialogue group.
  • Adopt a conservation measure for an electronic monitoring program and minimum standards for the use of electronic monitoring in WCPFC fisheries.
  • Accelerate the remaining work to reform the at-sea transshipment conservation measure and the compliance monitoring scheme.

Read the full WCPFC Position Statement

 

ISSF: WCPFC Has an Opportunity to Adopt New Bigeye, Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna Conservation Measures for Western and Central Pacific Fisheries

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published its position statement in advance of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) annual meeting from November 29 to December 7, 2021, which will take place virtually. ISSF is advocating for continued strong protections for bigeye, skipjack and yellowfin tuna stocks; upgraded requirements related to the management and use of fish aggregating devices (FADs); accelerated development of harvest strategies; and more. 

“The current tuna conservation measure that protects tropical tuna stocks in the region expires in February 2022, and we agree with the WCPFC Scientific Committee that these protections must remain in place to ensure that fishing mortality does not increase,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “These protections are necessary until the Commission adopts comprehensive harvest strategies, including appropriate target reference points. The WCPFC’s annual meeting must adopt a new and robust tuna conservation measure to prevent the possibility of overexploitation while harvest strategies are put in place.” 

Read about our top #sustainable #fishing priorities for the #WCPFC annual meeting next week. Click To Tweet

ISSF Top Priorities for WCPFC

  • Adopt an enforceable tropical tuna conservation measure for all fleets that limits fishing mortality for bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack while removing ambiguities and exemptions.
  • Adopt a work plan for FADs with a timeframe to transition to FADs without nets and made primarily with biodegradable materials; develop recovery policies, a marking scheme and ownership rules; and require submission of FAD position and acoustic data.
  • To meet the June 2023 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) deadline for harvest strategy conditions, adopt target reference points for bigeye and yellowfin; create a list of candidate management procedures for skipjack & albacore; and establish a scientist/manager dialogue group.
  • Adopt a conservation measure for an electronic monitoring program and minimum standards for the use of electronic monitoring in WCPFC fisheries.
  • Accelerate the remaining work to reform the at-sea transshipment conservation measure and the compliance monitoring scheme.

Jackson added, “Additionally, WCPFC must act and adopt a work plan for transitioning to FADs without nets and made primarily with biodegradable materials; make progress on electronic monitoring, as the pandemic has severely impacted observer coverage; and implement stronger rules for at-sea transshipment to guard against illegal fishing among the growing number of high seas transshipment events in the region.” 

Read the full WCPFC Position Statement on the new ISSF website.

ISSF Global Priorities for Tuna RFMOs

ISSF is committed to advocating for science-based approaches, policies and conservation measures to advance tuna fisheries sustainability. Here are ISSF’s Global Priorities for four Tuna RFMOs — the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC):

  • Implementation of rigorous management procedures, including harvest control rules and reference points
  • Effective management of fleet capacity, including developing mechanisms that support developing coastal state engagement in the fishery
  • Science-based FAD management & non-entangling and biodegradable FAD designs
  • Increased member compliance with all adopted measures, and greater transparency of processes reviewing member compliance with measures
  • Strengthened monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) measures and increased observer coverage, including through modern technologies such as electronic monitoring and e-reporting
  • Adoption of best-practice bycatch mitigation and shark conservation and management measures

NEW: Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Report Latest Report Shows 100% Conformance Rate

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF Participating Tuna Companies Achieve Full Compliance with 30 Science-Based ISSF Conservation Measures

ISSF has released its sixth annual Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report, which shows a conformance rate of 100 percent by 26 ISSF participating companies with all 30 ISSF conservation measures in effect. Following the remediation period, all 26 companies were fully compliant with all 30 measures audited. 

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.

“Since we began our compliance and audit process for ISSF participating companies in 2015, we’ve seen the conformance rate improve nearly every year, a heartening indication of industry’s growing openness to scrutiny and science-backed conservation efforts,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “We are especially proud to see consistently strong compliance from these seafood companies even as we have continued to expand our conservation measures — from 21 initially to 30 today — and raise the bar for them to reach.” 

Read more

Featured Content

Our Audit Process

As part of their commitment to improve the sustainability of tuna fisheries, ISSF participating companies agree to be audited annually on their conformance with ISSF conservation measures.

Learn more

Featured Graphic

Aggregate Participating Company Compliance Over Time

Our “Change Over Time” graphic tracks the percentage of ISSF participating companies that are in conformance, minor non-conformance, or major non-conformance with ISSF conservation measures. This graphic tracks compliance based on data published in the our Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Reports.

Featured Video

From global tuna stock data to fisheries improvement and best practices, the refreshed ISSF website offers data-rich resources for every tuna sustainability stakeholder.

Watch 

ISSF Participating Tuna Companies Achieve Full Compliance with 30 Science-Based ISSF Conservation Measures

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has released its sixth annual Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report, which shows a conformance rate of 100 percent by 26 ISSF participating companies with all 30 ISSF conservation measures in effect. Following the remediation period, all 26 companies were fully compliant with all 30 measures audited. 

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 participating companies — 26 leading #seafood processors, traders, importers, and transporters worldwide — have achieved 100% compliance with our rigorous #conservation measures. Click To Tweet

“Since we began our compliance and audit process for ISSF participating companies in 2015, we’ve seen the conformance rate improve nearly every year, a heartening indication of industry’s growing openness to scrutiny and science-backed conservation efforts,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “We are especially proud to see consistently strong compliance from those seafood companies even as we have continued to expand our conservation measures — from 21 initially to 30 today — and raise the bar for them to reach.” 

Three measures were newly in effect for the 2020 audit period, and all 26 companies were in full conformance with them:

Details of the Updated Report

The November 2021 report is based on updates to the initial annual audit results published in April 2021, which showed one company had four “major” non-conformances with conservation measures in the prior year and one company had one “minor” non-conformance. 

The rate of full conformance for each period since participating-company compliance reporting began is reflected below:

ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT UPDATE TO ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT
June 2015: 79.8% No Update report published in 2015
June 2016: 87.2% November 2016: 95.6%
May 2017: 97.5% November 2017: 100%
June 2018: 97% November 2018: 99%
April 2019: 98.5% November 2019: 99%
April 2019: 99.1% November 2020: 99.4%
April 2021: 99.4% November 2021: 100%

The Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report is published each November to track ISSF participating companies’ progress in conforming with ISSF conservation measures like these:

In addition to the summary compliance reports published in April and November, MRAG Americas issues individual ISSF participating company reports that detail each company’s compliance with the ISSF conservation measures for the year. If applicable, these will include “update” reports, published throughout the year, that explain how individual companies have remediated any non-conformances on the conservation measures.

More Information on ISSF Conservation Measures & Compliance

For long-term tuna sustainability, tuna companies worldwide choose to participate with ISSF, follow responsible fishing practices, and implement science-based conservation measures. From bycatch mitigation to product traceability, ISSF participating companies have committed to conforming to a set of conservation measures and other commitments designed to drive positive change — and to do so transparently through third-party audits.

View ISSF Conservation Measures

View ISSA Compliance Policy

ICCAT Must Take Action to Ensure Atlantic Ocean Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna Stocks Maintain Sustainable Levels

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published its position statement in advance of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting from November 15-22, 2021. ISSF is advocating for updated protections for bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks, upgraded policies related to the use of biodegradable fish aggregating devices (FADs), the adoption of harvest strategies, and more. 

Protections for #bigeye and #yellowfin #tuna, upgraded policies on biodegradable fish aggregating devices (FADs), and more: Find out what ISSF wants #ICCAT to prioritize at its upcoming meeting. Click To Tweet

“There are several issues that require the immediate attention of the Commission when they assemble, and we urge all parties to reach consensus around these pressing matters in order to improve the management and monitoring of Atlantic tunas,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “Atlantic bigeye and yellowfin stocks have recently improved to sustainable levels, but if catches of these species continue to exceed the total allowable catch, that won’t be the case for long.” 

ISSF Top Priorities for ICCAT 

  • Revise Recommendation 19-02 to ensure that the bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks are maintained at sustainable levels and catches are maintained within the total allowable catch (TAC)
  • Adopt a work plan for FADs with a timeframe to transition to FADs without nets and made primarily with biodegradable materials; develop recovery policies, a marking scheme and ownership rules; and require submission of FAD position and acoustic data
  • Accelerate the adoption of harvest strategies for tropical tunas
  • Adopt minimum standards for electronic monitoring and require 100% observer coverage (human and/or electronic) for all major ICCAT fisheries, and all vessels engaged in at-sea transshipment by 2024
  • Request the Compliance Committee to address noncompliance with FAD data reporting requirements and develop audit points for ICCAT measures

Jackson added, “ICCAT must take action now to maintain sustainable levels for those two important stocks. But it also has other urgent work to do like the adoption of a work plan for biodegradable FADs, accelerating the adoption of electronic monitoring and requiring one hundred-percent observer coverage and speeding up its development of harvest strategies.” 

Read the full ICCAT Position Statement on the new ISSF website; the statement is also available in French and Spanish. ICCAT’s meeting will be conducted virtually. 

ISSF Global Priorities for Tuna RFMOs

ISSF is committed to advocating for science-based approaches, policies and conservation measures to advance tuna fisheries sustainability. Here are ISSF’s Global Priorities for four Tuna RFMOs — the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC):

  • Implementation of rigorous management procedures, including harvest control rules and reference points
  • Effective management of fleet capacity, including developing mechanisms that support developing coastal state engagement in the fishery
  • Science-based FAD management & non-entangling and biodegradable FAD designs
  • Increased member compliance with all adopted measures, and greater transparency of processes reviewing member compliance with measures
  • Strengthened monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) measures and increased observer coverage, including through modern technologies such as electronic monitoring and e-reporting
  • Adoption of best-practice bycatch mitigation and shark conservation and management measures

Priorities for Atlantic Ocean Tuna Fisheries; Effective Measures for Bigeye & Yellowfin Needed

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

Priorities for Atlantic Ocean Tuna Fisheries

ISSF has released its position statement for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), taking place virtually November 15-22. There are several critical measures and issues that require immediate attention by ICCAT this year.

Our Top Asks for ICCAT:

  • Revise Rec. 19-02 to ensure that the bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks are maintained at sustainable levels and catches are maintained within the TACs.
  • Adopt a work plan for fish aggregating devices (FADs) with a timeframe to transition to FADs without nets and made primarily with biodegradable materials; develop recovery policies, a marking scheme and ownership rules; and require FAD position and acoustic data.
  • Accelerate the adoption of harvest strategies for tropical tunas.
  • Adopt minimum standards for electronic monitoring and require 100% observer coverage (human and/or electronic) for all major ICCAT fisheries, and all vessels engaged in at-sea transshipment by 2024.
  • Request the Compliance Committee to address noncompliance with FAD data reporting requirements and develop audit points for ICCAT measures.

Read the position statement

Featured Resource

RFMO Best Practices Snapshot — 2021: FAD Management

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. This “snapshot” focuses on FAD management.

See the snapshot

Featured Content

ICYMI: From Global Tuna Stock Data to Fisheries Improvement and Best Practices, Refreshed ISSF Website Offers Data-Rich Resources for Every Tuna Sustainability Stakeholder

ISSF unveiled a refreshed website, designed to meet the diverse needs of the full spectrum of tuna sustainability stakeholders in a more accessible, user-friendly format. The updated site (iss-foundation.org) aims to elevate ISSF’s data-rich resources and tools for specialist and non-specialist users alike.

Learn more

Tour the new site

Featured Infographic

An infographic shows the size and fishing capacity of the large-scale purse-seine fleet fishing for tropical tunas worldwide, based on ISSF research. It also indicates how ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) vessel list helps to provide transparency of the fleet’s fishing activities, including changes in fish hold volume.

View the infographic

ISSF in the News

IATTC Agrees on New Tuna Measures for Next Three Years
Undercurrent News

Progress for EPO Tuna Fisheries, Plus ISSF Launches New Website

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Blog

Progress for Eastern Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries: Protections, Monitoring for Tuna Stocks and Improved FAD Management

After repeated calls for action to protect Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) tuna stocks, we are relieved that last week’s Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) meeting yielded positive results in advancing the Commission’s agenda on tuna protections and fish aggregating device (FAD) management, among other top-priority topics this year. A new blog reviews progress on a new IATTC tropical tuna measure, which includes FAD management, and other notable action for EPO tuna fisheries.

Read the blog

 

Featured News

From Global Tuna Stock Data to Fisheries Improvement and Best Practices, Refreshed ISSF Website Offers Data-Rich Resources for Every Tuna Sustainability Stakeholder

ISSF unveiled a refreshed website, designed to meet the diverse needs of the full spectrum of tuna sustainability stakeholders in a more accessible, user-friendly format. The refreshed site (iss-foundation.org) aims to elevate ISSF’s data-rich resources and tools for specialist and non-specialist users alike.

“As a knowledge-based influencer organization, ISSF offers a depth and breadth of expert content, which is one of our greatest assets. Our new website puts that content at users’ fingertips,” said Mary Sestric, Vice President, Communications, ISSF. “We continue to evolve our content online to better serve stakeholders in our space — from seafood buyers and fisheries managers to marine scientists and tuna processors.​ We are now better positioned to provide our growing stakeholder community with the on-demand data and information required to make progress toward a more sustainable future.”

Learn more

Tour the new site