Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability — ISSF’s Strategic Plan for 2023–2027
In a 2-minute video, ISSF President Susan Jackson highlights ISSF’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which launched February 28, 2023.
Author: svanouse
ISSF Announces New Strategic Plan: Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability
Featured News
ISSF 2023-2027 Strategic Plan: Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability
Updated International Seafood Sustainability Foundation Plan Introduces Theory of Change, Five-Year Goal, and More; Foundation Also Announces Advisory Committee on Working Conditions for Fishing Vessels
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) released its Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which lays out the research and advocacy organization’s mission and approach to achieving its tuna fisheries sustainability objective across the next five years.
“Through a robust, multi-stakeholder exploration process, we developed Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability as an evolution of our prior strategic plan,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “ISSF’s science-based and collaborative work has driven progressive outcomes in the last five years — from our Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) list enabling more transparent vessel operations to the design of jelly-FADs that lessen the environmental impact of fish aggregating devices.
“Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability allows us to build on such accomplishments, while responding to the current sustainability landscape,” Jackson continued. “Articulating our theory of change and a five-year goal, which emphasize a commitment to continuous improvement, helps us recognize the dynamic nature of the world’s tuna fisheries and the stakeholders who rely on them.”
In the new plan, ISSF’s work continues to be grounded in the core pillars of Science, Verification, and Influence, all of which come together to drive more sustainable fisheries management. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard also remains central to ISSF’s objective. Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability includes new and evolved elements.
ISSF 2023-2027 Strategic Plan: Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) released its Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability, which lays out the research and advocacy organization’s mission and approach to achieving its tuna fisheries sustainability objective across the next five years.
“Through a robust, multi-stakeholder exploration process, we developed Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability as an evolution of our prior strategic plan,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “ISSF’s science-based and collaborative work has driven progressive outcomes in the last five years — from our Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) list enabling more transparent vessel operations to the design of jelly-FADs that lessen the environmental impact of fish aggregating devices.
Learn about ISSF's new five-year goal for sustainable fishing in our just-published 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. Click To Tweet
“Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability allows us to build on such accomplishments, while responding to the current sustainability landscape,” Jackson continued. “Articulating our theory of change and a five-year goal, which emphasize a commitment to continuous improvement, helps us recognize the dynamic nature of the world’s tuna fisheries and the stakeholders who rely on them.”
In the new plan, ISSF’s work continues to be grounded in the core pillars of Science, Verification, and Influence, all of which come together to drive more sustainable fisheries management. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard also remains central to ISSF’s objective. Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability includes new and evolved elements, as highlighted below, in support of the ISSF mission.
The ISSF Objective & the MSC Fisheries Standard
ISSF’s 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. As Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability explains, ISSF achieves this through the development and implementation of verifiable, science-based practices; measurable commitments; and conservation management measures by participating companies and through advocacy to tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).
“Like our previous Strategic Plan, the objective of Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability includes the MSC Fisheries Standard. But consistent with the theme of continuous improvement, our new plan now pledges ISSF efforts to help fisheries not only meet but also maintain that standard,” said Jackson.
“The recent release of the new MSC Fisheries Standard 3.0 to meet changing expectations and reflect the latest in sustainability science reminds us that the bar is always rising — so too must our level of responsibility and commitment.”
Sustainable Management Requires Continuous Improvement
The 2023-2027 ISSF Strategic Plan outlines the organization’s Theory of Change for the first time. ISSF is a science-driven organization focused on the continuous improvement of global tuna fishery sustainability and seeks to achieve this by:
- Advancing tuna fisheries science
- Implementing direct industry improvements
- Providing scientific guidance and tools
- Working with, and advocating to, RFMOs
- Partnering with supportive organizations and experts
The Theory further states:
- ISSF advocacy to RFMOs is grounded in what the best current science requires.
- Simultaneously, ISSF continuously works to improve the science.
- The intended result of our efforts is the adoption and implementation of science-based management measures by industry and RFMOs.
- We recognize that comprehensive and sustainable management requires continuous improvement.
ISSF Five-Year Goal
The plan also newly establishes a five-year goal for the organization: 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.
Evolving Other Strategic Elements
Additional updates to plan elements build on the organization’s work to date in key areas. ISSF will continue to support and enable tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs), for example, in seeking to “expedite the achievement of MSC certification standards across global tuna fisheries.”
And the organization’s strategic pillars have new or refined functional targets that align to the latest developments in tuna sustainability:
- Under Science, a focus on Ecosystem Impacts to advance science-based approaches that address fishing’s broader ecosystem effects
- Under Verification, an increased emphasis on the VOSI to track public sustainable fishing commitments made by vessels beyond measures on the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR)
- Under Influence, a directive to help markets transparently verify implementation of policy and purchasing decisions for enhanced credibility
Introducing the Advisory Committee on Working Conditions for Fishing Vessels
Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability also continues ISSF’s charge to monitor third-party efforts to (1) develop and implement labor and social standards for tuna fishing activities on a global scale and (2) explore appropriate ways for ISSF and/or participating companies to support and implement these standards.
ISSF is announcing a new Advisory Committee on Working Conditions for Fishing Vessels that will guide the development of an ISSF approach to this effort. The Committee comprises experts in tuna fisheries operations and international labor and social issues, including Mike Kraft, Executive Director, FISH Standard for Crew; Tracy Murai, Assistant Global Director Marine & Fisheries, Thai Union; Yemi Oloruntuyi, Ph.D., Head, Social Policy, Marine Stewardship Council; and Jessica Sparks, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Division of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University
Download Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability.
UPDATED: MSC Tuna Fisheries & Tuna FIPs | PLUS New Peer Reviewed Article
Featured Content
UPDATED: MSC Tuna Fisheries & Tuna FIPs
A recently updated table shows tuna fisheries worldwide that either have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or are currently undergoing a full assessment to become certified. Tuna fishery names are linked to their pages on the MSC Track a Fishery site. You can sort or filter by column.
The ISSF website also lists tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs). Each tuna FIP name in the table is linked to its FisheryProgress.org description. You can sort and filter the table by column.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Improving sustainable practices in tuna purse seine fish aggregating device (FAD) fisheries worldwide through continued collaboration with fishers
ISSF in the News
ISSF Concerned by Outcome of Recent Tuna Meeting
Fish Focus
Featured Video
Fact Checking Six Ideas About Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
ISSF on IOTC Special Session
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) recently concluded a Special Session to adopt a conservation and management measure on fish aggregating devices (FADs) in Indian Ocean tuna fisheries. The Special Session was called last year due to inaction on this topic.
In a position statement issued before the IOTC session, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) urged enhanced, science-based FAD management provisions. ISSF acknowledges the Commission’s progress in adopting some of the improvements called for in our position, including FAD marking guidelines, a timeline for transition to biodegradable FADs, and access to FAD position data for the IOTC Scientific Committee for science needs.
But ISSF is concerned by the lack of a shared effort by all IOTC delegations in working together toward the realization of scientific advice. The general breakdown of communication and negotiation that was evident at the IOTC Special Session sets an unwelcome precedent for future meetings and, ultimately, the sustainable use of Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.
“IOTC parties are beholden to the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, the core provisions of which require cooperation and consultation amongst all coastal States and States fishing on the high seas,” noted ISSF President Susan Jackson. “Both practices are critically important in managing highly migratory fish stocks like tuna, and both practices seemed to have been unfortunately lacking at this meeting.
“We therefore remain cautious in our assessment of the effectiveness of the new FAD measure, especially in helping rebuild the yellowfin tuna stock. And we urge all parties to recommit to working together for the long-term sustainable management of Indian Ocean resources.”
Priorities for Tuna RFMOs in 2023 | FAD Management, Electronic Monitoring, & More
Featured Content
Priorities for RFMOs in 2023
Each year, ISSF identifies 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 for 2023. A new ISSF web page offers an overview. ISSF position statements — which we disseminate ahead of RFMO annual meetings and special sessions — also explore these priority topics.
ICYMI
Q&A: MRAG Americas Vice President Graeme Parkes stresses value of third-party 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 rigorous audit protocol.
ISSF President Susan Jackson sat down with conformity assessment body MRAG Americas Vice President Graeme Parkes to discuss the ISSF audit and compliance process.
Read more in SeafoodSource
ISSF in the News
ISSF releases position statement for more effective FAD management
Seafood Source
World Fishing & Aquaculture
Strengthened FAD Management in the Indian Ocean | Read the ISSF Statement
Featured News
ISSF Urges Indian Ocean Fisheries Managers to Strengthen FAD Management Measure at Special Session
Science-based limits on FAD deployments and use of biodegradable materials among asks for improvements to IOTC FAD measure
ISSF has published a position statement ahead of a February 3-5 Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Special Session, the objective of which is to adopt an IOTC conservation and management measure on fish aggregating devices (FADs).
ICYMI
BLOG: Testing conservation solutions can sometimes require setting sail on the high seas
“We’re searching for Mobulids—otherwise known as manta and devil rays — which are sometimes captured accidentally by fishing boats,” writes scientist Melissa Cronin, Ph.D. “Though these encounters are rare and occur primarily in free swimming school sets, it’s important that scientists and fishers work together to avoid these interactions because Mobulids are experiencing population declines globally.”
Field expeditions on board tuna purse seine vessels began in December 2022.
Featured Video
Jelly FAD: A Paradigm Shift in Biodegradable Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Design
ISSF scientist Dr. Gala Moreno has teamed up with physical oceanographers to design and test biodegradable FADs as more sustainable options for tuna fishing.
Featured Content
ISSF Conservation Measures
ISSF adopts conservation measures with the intent that processors, traders, importers, transporters, and others in the seafood industry commit to conform to them to facilitate real, continuous improvement across global fisheries.
ISSF Participating Companies are seafood companies that have committed to conform to ISSF measures for improving the long-term health of tuna fisheries. They also must adhere to a Compliance Policy. We publish regular reports, prepared by auditor MRAG Americas, on each participating company’s compliance with our measures.
ISSF Urges Indian Ocean Fisheries Managers to Strengthen Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Management Measure at February 2023 Special Session
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published a position statement ahead of the February 3-5 Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Special Session, the objective of which is to adopt an IOTC conservation and management measure on fish aggregating devices (FADs). The Special Session was called last year due to inaction on this topic.
In its position statement, ISSF calls for a concerted effort in the Indian Ocean to better monitor FAD usage and to support the adoption of science-based, FAD-related management measures. Shark and non-target species bycatch and other ecosystem impacts — such as marine debris and FAD beaching — must also be reduced. Using non-entangling and biodegradable FAD designs is a critical step to achieving that.
We've outlined the FAD management issues that the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) must address at its Special Session on February 3-5. Click To TweetConsistent with appeals ISSF and our stakeholders issued throughout 2022, the ISSF statement specifies enhanced FAD management provisions, including:
- Developing and implementing science-based limits on FAD deployments and/or FAD sets, consistent with management objectives for tropical tunas.
- Allowing the IOTC Scientific Committee to use submitted FAD tracking data for scientific purposes — data that are currently used only for FAD limit compliance purposes.
- Requiring the use of biodegradable materials in the construction of FADs to minimize the use of synthetic/plastic materials in FAD construction. Establish a timeline for transitioning to 100% biodegradable.
- Developing and adopting FAD marking guidelines, including requiring the marking of the buoy and the FAD structure.
- Developing and adopting FAD tracking and recovery policies that consider utilizing supply vessels in FAD recovery efforts.
- Adopting clearer rules for FAD ownership and activation, as well as for deactivation of FAD buoys.
Read the full IOTC Special Session Position Statement on the ISSF website.
Update from the Field: Fishing for Answers for Endangered Mobulid Rays
Featured Blog
Testing conservation solutions can sometimes require setting sail on the high seas
Field expeditions on board tuna purse seine vessels, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), AZTI, University of California, Santa Cruz, and the American Tunaboat Association began in In December 2022.
“We’re searching for Mobulids — otherwise known as manta and devil rays — which are sometimes captured accidentally by fishing boats,” writes scientist Melissa Cronin, Ph.D. “Though these encounters are rare and occur primarily in free swimming school sets, it’s important that scientists and fishers work together to avoid these interactions because Mobulids are experiencing population declines globally.”
ICYMI
Advances in Fisheries Management Helped Redeem 2022 from its State of “Permacrisis”
Seen Against a Backdrop of Instability, Upheaval and Insecurity, Science-Based Fisheries Management Had a Pretty Good Year
Thanks to hard work and collaboration among NGOs, fishery managers, scientists, members of the fishing and seafood industries and many other stakeholders, the signs of positive, long-term change were unmistakable.
Read more from ISSF President Susan Jackson
Peer-Reviewed Article
Correction of beam overlap-induced athwart distortion in multibeam sonars
ICES Journal of Marine Science
Featured Resource
Transparency Tool
Like the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR), ISSF’s Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) list is a transparency tool for the public, including seafood companies that want to understand which tuna vessels have made public commitments to more sustainable fishing beyond the commitments reflected on the PVR.
Explore VOSI
Update from the Field: Fishing for Answers for Endangered Mobulid Rays
Testing conservation solutions can sometimes require setting sail on the high seas.
In December 2022, we began the first of our field expeditions onboard tuna purse seine vessels, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); AZTI; University of California, Santa Cruz; and the American Tunaboat Association.
We’re searching for Mobulids — otherwise known as manta and devil rays — which are sometimes captured accidentally by fishing boats.
Protecting Vulnerable Mobulids
Though these encounters are rare and occur primarily in free-swimming-school sets, it’s important that scientists and fishers work together to avoid these interactions because Mobulids are experiencing population declines globally.
We have two main goals for these trips: first, we want to simply find out more information about these threatened species, using fishing vessels as scientific platforms.
We’re taking tiny samples of Mobulid tails that can be used to unlock huge amounts of genetic and demographic information about these mysterious species.
We’re also swabbing Mobulid mucus that can be used for novel rapid identification technology by the organization iCatch to improve species identification in fisheries across the world.
Testing the Manta Grid
Second, we are working with fishing crews to test out a novel bycatch mitigation technology — a “manta grid,” designed to facilitate fast release for accidentally captured rays. The grid takes advantage of the powerful hydraulic machines already in place on these vessels — which come in handy when you need to lift a Mobulid that weighs the same as a small car.
Even more important, Mobulids, like many sharks, need to constantly pass water over their gills to stay alive (a process called ram ventilation). So, any technology that brings the animal back into the water faster is likely to increase their chance of survival after release. For Mobulids, who reproduce slowly and have only one offspring every few years, reducing the impact of bycatch could have huge benefits for population status.
But all good technologies need to be tested. To test the manta grid, we are deploying satellite-linked tags on Mobulids captured in the net. These tags not only tell us whether a Mobulid survives the capture.
They also can give us rare and valuable information on the movement of Mobulids. For remote and distant areas of the high seas, this kind of data is virtually impossible to access with conventional scientific methods.
Working with Fishers at Sea
We’ve been at sea onboard the American purse seiner Pacific Princess for three weeks now and are on the lookout for any of the five Mobulid species found in the Pacific Ocean.
In the meantime, working with tuna fishers at sea presents a unique opportunity to gather information about Mobulid sightings, consult with crew about feasible solutions, and share our Mobulid research and conservation.
Stay tuned for more news from the expedition and results from this project!
Melissa Cronin, Ph.D. of the University of California, Santa Cruz, was the Grand Prize winner in ISSF’s International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Seafood Sustainability Contest.She won for her contest entry, “Incentivizing Collaborative Release to Reduce Elasmobranch Bycatch Mortality,” which proposed handling-and-release methods that purse-seine vessel skippers and crew can use to reduce the mortality of manta rays and devil rays incidentally caught during tuna fishing.