Skip to main content

Author: svanouse

Some Hits, Some Misses for Indian Ocean Tuna Resources at IOTC Annual Meeting

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

The recent Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting marked a return to a collaborative spirit amongst members of the Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO). ISSF welcomes this renewed cooperation and consultation between members because it is essential for the effective functioning of tuna RFMOs. It must now remain the norm for IOTC.

However, the Commission once again did not address some priority topics. Specifically, IOTC failed to halt the decline of overfished yellowfin tuna, further strengthen fish aggregating device (FAD) management, and adopt stronger conservation measures for skipjack tuna and sharks. We applaud progress in other important areas, nonetheless. The IOTC adopted electronic monitoring standards, updated its compliance processes, agreed on bigeye catch limits, and modernized seabird and cetacean measures — all of which are critical for the sustainable management of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries and ecosystems.

Here is a review of the IOTC meeting outcomes against ISSF priorities as outlined in our 2023 position statement.

Electronic Monitoring and Reporting & Observer Coverage

ISSF is especially pleased to see progress on electronic monitoring (EM) at this year’s IOTC meeting. We applaud IOTC as the first RFMO to adopt EM Program and Data Standards, which are based on the recommendations of the Scientific Committee and EM Working Group.

The Commission did not also increase its observer coverage requirements as we had urged, unfortunately. But EM standards can help achieve the higher coverage levels that are critical to effective fisheries management; compliance monitoring; and independent verification of catch, effort, and non-target species interactions.

Compliance Processes

Ahead of the annual meeting, ISSF called on the IOTC Compliance Committee to address member states’ non-compliance and to require the submission of action plans to address identified non-compliance. ISSF is therefore pleased that IOTC adopted amendments to improve its compliance processes.

The updates include a more structured procedure for compliance assessment and follow-up through the IOTC Compliance Committee; establishing compliance status categories and a framework for possible responses to non-compliance; and grading non-compliances by level of significance. These new processes are consistent with the best practices in the Toolkit to Evaluate and Improve RFMO Compliance Process, developed through an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts and ISSF.

Tuna Stock Conservation

ISSF is pleased that the Commission adopted a catch limit for bigeye tuna by IOTC parties — one that is aligned with the limits set by its Management Procedure.

But we are dismayed that IOTC once again did not adopt critically needed improvements to measures for yellowfin tuna, which is overfished and subject to overfishing, and to reduce catches of skipjack in line with limits set by a harvest control rule (HCR).

Total tropical tuna catch in the Indian Ocean has increased 26-30% since 2014-2015, despite a yellowfin rebuilding plan and a skipjack annual quota — a situation that exposes the ineffectiveness of current measures. ISSF and its stakeholders therefore urged managers to reduce yellowfin catches by at least 22 percent, relative to the 2020 level, following the latest IOTC Scientific Committee (SC) management advice and to ensure that skipjack catches do not exceed the limit set in the related HCR. Yet no action was taken.

IOTC cannot continue this stasis. It must develop effective and science-based management measures for these Indian Ocean tuna stocks.

FAD Management

Alongside our stakeholders, ISSF issued a robust call for action on improved FAD management in Indian Ocean fisheries. We urged the Commission to require its scientists to provide advice on FAD management options, including the efficacy of FAD closures, and expected reductions of juvenile and total catch of tropical tunas. The Commission did task the Scientific Committee as such, and ISSF looks forward to their advice and to working with all IOTC parties to ensure this guidance is considered in future management actions.

IOTC also expanded FAD data reporting requirements. We are pleased that the Commission will now allow reported FAD position data for scientific use, rather than compliance use only.

Unfortunately, other upgrades to IOTC’s FAD management resolution were not adopted, such as clearer rules for FAD activation and the deactivation of FAD buoys. And, moreover, objections to the current FAD management resolution will delay the adoption of FAD marking requirements and the much-needed transition to biodegradable FADs.

Bycatch Mitigation and Shark Protections

Needed improvements for the protection of non-target species like sharks, seabirds, sea turtles, and cetaceans in Indian Ocean tuna fisheries had mixed results at this year’s meeting. The good news is that IOTC adopted greater protections for cetaceans and amended its outdated seabird conservation resolution to include best-practice mitigation techniques. ISSF also requested that IOTC require that shark fins be naturally attached for all landings and to adopt measures to limit fishing mortality on sharks based on SC recommendations. These appeals went unanswered, unfortunately.

The lack of action for yellowfin and skipjack tuna, sharks, increased observer coverage, and improvements in FAD management are discouraging outcomes of this year’s IOTC meeting. But ISSF congratulates IOTC on important progress made otherwise for the management of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries. Moreover, the return of positive engagement and collaboration amongst IOTC parties is encouraging. We hope this spirit will result in a renewed focus among parties to work together toward the long-term sustainable use of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.

Marine Scientist Dr. Andrew Rosenberg and Environmental Conservation Expert Ben Gilmer Join ISSF Board of Directors

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) is pleased to announce the appointment of new members Ben Gilmer and Dr. Andrew Rosenberg to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ben and Andy to the ISSF Board. Their extensive knowledge and experience in fisheries and environmental conservation make them valuable additions,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “We are confident that their insights will help us continue to develop and adopt sustainable practices and policies that will benefit tuna fisheries, the world’s oceans, and the people who depend on them.”

Join us in welcoming environmental conservation expert Ben Gilmer and marine scientist Dr. Andrew Rosenberg to the ISSF Board of Directors. Share on X

The ISSF Board of Directors is a diverse group of leaders from non-governmental organizations, marine science, government agencies, and the seafood industry, representing several countries. The Board members work towards advancing the mission of the Foundation, including the development and adoption of ISSF conservation measures to which ISSF participating companies commit to conform.

About Ben Gilmer

Ben Gilmer has over 20 years of experience in environmental conservation and food systems, specializing in fisheries, agriculture, climate, technology, and community development. Mr. Gilmer serves as Chair of the ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee (ESC), and in that role he is also appointed to the ISSF Board. He is the Associate Director of the Large-Scale Fisheries Program at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where he promotes seafood sustainability policies, commitments, and tools to corporations, NGOs, and governments. He leads a team with projects spanning Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa and provides oversight for fisheries electronic monitoring and reporting technologies and fishery improvement projects. Mr. Gilmer has a master’s degree from West Virginia University and a bachelor’s degree from Radford University.

About Dr. Andrew Rosenberg

Dr. Andrew Rosenberg has more than 35 years of experience in government service and academic and nonprofit leadership. He has authored many peer-reviewed studies and reports on fisheries and ocean management and the intersection between science and policy making. He is the President of MRAG Americas, Inc., a consulting company focused on sustainable fisheries and marine resource management, and the convening lead author of the oceans chapter of the Third U.S. National Climate Assessment. Dr. Rosenberg previously served on the ISSF ESC and ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee. He received his Ph.D. in biology from Dalhousie University and studied oceanography at Oregon State University and fisheries biology at the University of Massachusetts.

Other ISSF Board members are:

  • Tony Lazazzara, Chair ISSF Board of Directors & Director of Global Fish Procurement at Thai Union Group
  • Dr. Rohan Currey, Chief Science and Standards Officer, Marine Stewardship Council
  • William Gibbons-Fly, Executive Director, American Tunaboat Association (ATA)
  • Javier Garat, Secretary General, Cepesca
  • Susan Jackson, President, ISSF
  • Ichiro Nomura, Fisheries Policy Advisor, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia
  • Dr. Victor Restrepo, Vice President, Science, ISSF

Learn more on the ISSF website: https://www.iss-foundation.org/about-issf/who-we-are/board-of-directors/

ISSF Participating Companies Commit to New Conservation Measure that Requires Verified Reporting of Progress toward Strategic Plan Five-Year Goal

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has adopted a new conservation measure requiring its participating seafood companies to transparently report against progress in meeting the 5-year goal of the organization’s new Strategic Plan. ISSF Conservation Measure 2.5 – Transparency in Reporting Progress Against ISSF Five-Year Goal supports the goal of ISSF’s 2023-2037 Strategic Plan, Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability, which states:  

By the end of 2027, all tuna fisheries from which ISSF participating companies source can meet and maintain the MSC certification standard or there is a clear roadmap and timeline in place to meet this standard that is underpinned by the best-available science.

Our brand-new conservation measure asks ISSF participating seafood companies to report their progress in meeting ISSF strategic plan goals for sustainable fisheries. Share on X

Conservation Measure 2.5 was adopted on April 19, 2023, and is the newest addition to the organization’s 33 independently audited measures. The first reporting deadline for the measure is March 2024.

“We are pleased that our Strategic Plan includes an explicit, time-bound goal for the first time in ISSF’s history.” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “Our newest conservation measure takes that concept one step further by verifying company-by-company reporting of progress in meeting that goal.”

“ISSF participating companies walk the talk on transparency in their commitments, and this new measure that aligns company operations to our strategic target is no exception,” Jackson continued. “We look forward to sharing the results of the independent audit of company conformance with this measure in next year’s edition of our Annual Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report — a consistent and accessible resource for stakeholders seeking greater transparency in global tuna fisheries.”

ISSF Conservation Measure 2.5 – Transparency in Reporting Progress Against ISSF Five-Year Goal

The new measure states, to support ISSF in tracking progress towards its Strategic Plan’s five-year goal,  seafood processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers, and other industry stakeholders will commit to publish by March 15, 2024 — and update annually thereafter:

A. The percentage of their tuna purchases sourced from each of these categories:

  • Fisheries certified against the then-current MSC Standard and eligible to use the MSC label
  • Comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) that have made progress within the past 36 months or are in their initial year of listing
  • Comprehensive FIPs that have not made progress in the prior 36 months but have been publicly listed for less than 5 years
  • Fisheries that have entered full assessment for MSC certification but have not been in a publicly listed comprehensive FIP
  • “None of the above”

B. A roadmap and timeline to increase the percentage of their purchases from fisheries certified against the then-current MSC Standard and eligible to use the MSC label

C. A roadmap and timeline to decrease the percentage of their purchases from Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed for less than 5 years but have not achieved progress in more than 36 months

D. A roadmap and timeline to decrease the percentage of their purchase from the “none of the above” category

Disclosures made by ISSF participating companies under this conservation measure will satisfy the disclosures required for the exemption in paragraph 3 of ISSF CM 2.4.

About ISSF Conservation Measures & Compliance Process

Since its inception in 2009, ISSF has adopted conservation measures and commitments to facilitate its mission with the intent that processors, traders, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry will follow them to facilitate real and continuous improvement across global tuna stocks. Each ISSF participating company commits to conforming to these conservation measures to improve the long-term health of tuna fisheries.

ISSF participating tuna companies, which represent the majority of the world’s canned tuna production and include well-known brand names, are audited yearly by MRAG Americas on their compliance with ISSF conservation measures.

The April 2023 ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report showed a conformance rate of 99.75 percent by 25 ISSF participating companies in 2022. In addition to a summary report, MRAG Americas issues individual seafood company reports that detail each organization’s compliance with ISSF’s conservation measures. ISSF publishes these individual company compliance reports on its website.

ISSF Calls on Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to Address Member Non-Compliance and Improve FAD Management and Tuna Conservation Measures for Yellowfin, Bigeye, and Skipjack

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has issued its position statement ahead of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) 27th Annual Meeting to be held May 8-12, 2023. The statement outlines key issues ISSF urges the Commission to act on, including adopting stronger conservation measures to protect yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye tuna stocks, as well as shark, cetacean, and sea turtle populations, strengthening the management of fish aggregating devices (FADs), and addressing non-compliance by member states.

“The IOTC has a critical role to play in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Indian Ocean tuna stocks and marine ecosystems. Member governments of the IOTC must cooperate to adopt critical tuna and FAD management measures, as well as tackle member non-compliance, to protect these valuable marine resources for future generations,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson.  “It is also time for the IOTC to take long overdue action to modernize its bycatch mitigation and shark management measures.”

Our position statement outlines ISSF's priorities for IOTC action at its upcoming May meeting. Share on X

Tuna Stock Conservation

ISSF calls on managers to reduce yellowfin tuna catches by at least 22 percent, relative to the 2020 level, following the latest IOTC Scientific Committee (SC) management advice. Additionally, ISSF urges the Commission to ensure that skipjack catches in 2023 do not exceed the limit set by the related harvest control rule (HCR) and that bigeye catches do not exceed the limit set by its Management Procedure.

Compliance Processes

ISSF is also calling for the IOTC Compliance Committee to address IOTC member states and parties’ non-compliance, specifically with mandatory fishery and fish aggregating device (FAD) data; catch and FAD limits; and the use of gillnets. The organization also urges IOTC to require the submission of action plans that address identified non-compliance. ISSF and Pew Charitable Trusts have recommendations to improve RFMO compliance processes, which can be found in these Workshop reports: 2020 report, 2021 report, 2022 report  and a Toolkit to Evaluate and Improve RFMO Compliance Process.

FAD Management

ISSF asks the IOTC to build upon its existing Management of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) resolution by expanding measures that improve FAD management. This expansion includes requiring that IOTC SC provide advice on FAD management options — such as the efficacy of FAD closures and expected reductions of juvenile and total catch of tropical tunas in comparison to the contribution of those gears not part of the FAD fishery.

The ISSF position statement also calls for the reporting of complete FAD acoustic biomass records from echosounder buoys for scientific use, as well as clearer rules for FAD activation and deactivation of FAD buoys.

Bycatch Mitigation and Shark Protections

ISSF requests IOTC to require that shark fins be naturally attached for all landings. The IOTC must adopt measures to limit fishing mortality on sharks based on IOTC SC recommendations and amend outdated sea turtle and seabird conservation resolutions to include best-practice mitigation techniques.

Electronic Monitoring and Reporting & Observer Coverage

Finally, ISSF appeals to the IOTC to adopt electronic monitoring (EM) terms and definitions, EM Program Standards and EM Data Standards, based on the recommendations of the IOTC Scientific Committee. IOTC is behind its peers in observer coverage rates, currently requiring just 5% observer coverage regardless of gear type or area of operation. Comprehensive and higher levels of observer coverage are critical to effective fisheries management; compliance monitoring; and independent verification of catch, effort, and non-target species interactions.

Download the complete 2023 ISSF IOTC position statement here. The ISSF position statement is also available in French.

ISSF Annual Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report Shows 99.75% Conformance by Participating Companies with ISSF Conservation Measures

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has released its Annual Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report, which shows a conformance rate of 99.75 percent in 2022 by 25 ISSF participating companies with all 33 ISSF conservation measures in effect. 

The report highlights the progress made toward ensuring the sustainability of global tuna fisheries by industry participants, revealing that 23 of 25 companies were in full conformance with all ISSF conservation measures. Two companies had one minor non-conformance each on the same conservation measure, CM 2.3 Product Labeling by Species and Area of Capture.

Our new report shows that 23 of 25 ISSF participating seafood companies were in full conformance with all ISSF conservation measures for sustainable fishing in 2022. Share on X

“In an era when sustainability pledges in the private sector are becoming increasingly commonplace, ISSF participating companies continue to stand out in their commitment to a rigorous, transparent audit and compliance process,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “We cannot take for granted the value of this consistent, public reporting on the business practices of the world’s leading tuna companies — even as we mark the ninth year of the ISSF approach.”

Details of the Report

The report tracks companies’ progress in the past year in conforming with 33 ISSF conservation measures (CM) such as these:

  • Demonstrating the ability to trace products from can code or sales invoice to vessel and trip
  • Submitting quarterly purchase data by vessel, trip dates, species, size and other data to RFMO scientific bodies
  • Transactions only with those longline vessels whose owners have a policy requiring the implementation of best practices for bycatch mitigation of sharks and marine turtles
  • Establishing and publishing policies to prohibit shark finning and avoiding transactions with vessels that carry out shark finning
  • Conducting transactions only with purse seine vessels whose skippers have received science-based information from ISSF on best practices such as reducing bycatch
  • Avoiding transactions with vessels that are on an RFMO Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing list

One ISSF conservation measure was newly in effect for the 2022 audit period, and all 25 companies were in full conformance with it: CM 1.3 IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding.

Reporting on Company Compliance Audits

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 detailed audit protocol.

In addition to this summary report, MRAG Americas issues individual company reports that detail each company’s compliance with ISSF’s conservation measures. ISSF publishes these individual reports on its website; company audit reports for 2022 were posted in March 2023.

The Annual Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report will be updated in the fourth quarter of 2023 to reflect any improvements in compliance by ISSF participating companies. Improvements made before the publication of the update of this report will be noted in the individual company compliance reports available on the ISSF website.