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Author: svanouse

NEW WEB FEATURE: Acoustic Discrimination

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Content

ISSF scientists are exploring innovative ways to use acoustic equipment at sea as a tool to prevent overfishing — and reduce bycatch — in purse-seine tuna fisheries.

We are studying how echosounder buoys near fish aggregating devices (FADs) can detect the distinctive “sound signatures” of different tuna species — and transmit that information to vessels before fishers travel to a FAD to make a set. If fishers can harness acoustic technology to “preemptively” estimate the type and amount of fish gathered at a particular FAD, they can choose to fish only on FADs with higher proportions of tuna species for which stocks are in healthy condition — and avoid those that have attracted larger groups of non-target species.

We’ve created a new Web feature story — with animated illustrations and photos of ISSF research projects — showing how fishers can use acoustic technology to better identify species at FADs, and fish more sustainably.

View the story

 

ICYMI: ICCAT Position Statement

ISSF has issued its position statement ahead of annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which will be held November 14-21.

Our statement compiles our sustainable-fishing asks for ICCAT, including detailed recommendations for policy and management changes in tuna conservation; fish aggregating devices (FADs); harvest strategies; bycatch and sharks; monitoring, control, and surveillance; compliance; and capacity management.

Download the ICCAT position statement in English, French, and Spanish.

 

Peer Reviewed Articles

Investigating trends in process error as a diagnostic for integrated fisheries stock assessments

Fisheries Research

 

2022 ICCAT Position Statement | “Grey Matter” Podcast with ISSF President Susan Jackson

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

ISSF has issued its position statement to inform discussion and decision-making at the 23rd annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which will be held Nov. 14-21.

ISSF’s statement compiles our sustainable-fishing asks for ICCAT. It includes detailed recommendations for policy and management changes in tuna conservation, fish aggregating devices (FADs); harvest strategies; bycatch and sharks; monitoring, control, and surveillance; compliance; and capacity management.

One of four tropical-tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO), ICCAT is an inter-governmental fishery organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas.

Download the ICCAT position statement in English, French, and Spanish.

Read the position statement

 

Featured Content

On a new episode of “Grey Matter with Michael Krasny,” ISSF President Susan Jackson reflects on unique and urgent issues in managing tuna fisheries worldwide — from flag-state oversight and vessel reporting to bycatch mitigation — and shares how ISSF works to ensure greater sustainability.

The “Grey Matter” podcast series, which launched earlier this year, features “in-depth interviews with leading newsmakers, scholars, authors and intellectuals in conversation.”

Listen to the podcast

 

Featured Resource

See how ICCAT and other tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are performing against documented best practices in tuna fishery management.

Through our RFMO Best Practices Snapshot series — covering Transshipment, FAD Management, and other topics — we identify best practices that RFMOs should follow to manage tuna fisheries sustainably. In detailed tables, the snapshots compare tuna RFMOs’ progress in implementing the practices.

Read the snapshots

 

 

Meet Our Participating Companies

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

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ISSF believes it’s important to work with all stakeholders — and tuna processors, traders, and/or marketers are integral to improving the sustainability of the world’s tuna resources.

Seafood companies worldwide are invited to participate in ISSF’s efforts to foster sustainable tuna fishing and sourcing practices. All companies work with the Foundation to advocate for improved fishery management, fund scientific advancements through research and expert analysis, and take direct action to encourage the adoption of responsible fishing practices – all while committing to a suite of conservation measures aimed at improving the long-term health of global tuna fisheries.

Meet the companies

  

Featured Resource

ISSF produces videos to highlight our organization’s people, programs, and events. Browse the videos on the ISSF website and on ISSF’s Tuna Sustainability YouTube channel, including playlists on bycatch mitigation, skippers workshops, scientist interviews, and the ISSF story.

Peruse or search to learn about ISSF’s latest research projects and findings, fishing policy outreach, partnerships, publications, and team news.

Tune in

  

ICYMI 

ISSF is helping to improve tuna transshipment policies, practices, monitoring, and compliance — through our conservation measures for seafood companies and vessels, best practices research, RFMO benchmarking analysis, and advocacy outreach.

A new web feature on the ISSF site provides an overview of at-sea transshipment in tuna fisheries, why oversight is essential for sustainable fisheries, and the steps stakeholders can take to push for better oversight of tuna transshipment. A list of ISSF resources is also included.

View the feature

 

 

 

 

NEW WEB FEATURE: At-Sea Transshipment Oversight Is Essential for Sustainability in Tuna Fisheries

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Content

Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) regulate transshipment in their regions. With some exceptions, purse seiners are required to transship in port. Other gears, such as longline, may engage in transshipment at sea under certain regulatory conditions. Tuna RFMOs also mandate observer coverage and require the submission of transshipment data.

But gaps persist — particularly in the regulation of at-sea transshipment, including the types of data collected, the level of monitoring, and data-reporting recipients and timelines. These gaps can increase the likelihood of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities that undermine fisheries management.

ISSF is helping to improve tuna transshipment policies, practices, monitoring, and compliance — through our conservation measures for seafood companies and vessels, best practices research, RFMO benchmarking analysis, and advocacy outreach.

View the new web feature

 

Featured Graphics

ISSF has benchmarked the transshipment measures established by the four tropical-tuna RFMOs — the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) — to 10 best-practice recommendations.

Download the graphic

All About Tuna Vessels | Transparent Accountability in Tuna Fishing

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Resources

To promote transparency in tuna fishing, ISSF works with regional organizations and data sources to provide information about fishing vessels and their practices. We maintain searchable public tuna vessel lists for sustainable fishing stakeholders.

The ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) is one of four ISSF public vessel lists. Vessels that join the PVR commit to provide regular, accurate information about specific activities, including best practices linked to ISSF conservation measures. This information is displayed on the PVR, showing facts about each vessel, and — based on independent audit results — whether the vessel is following these best practices for more sustainable fishing. For example, having a shark-finning prohibition policy and using non-entangling fish aggregating devices (FADs) is a best practice.

Search PVR

Like the PVR, ISSF’s Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) list is a transparency tool for stakeholders that want to understand which tuna vessels have made public commitments to more sustainable fishing beyond those commitments reflected on the PVR.

Search VOSI

 

Featured Content

All fishing methods have advantages.  And all can be improved.  That’s our focus.

Commercial fishers use five primary methods, or fishing gear types, for catching tuna. The purse seine method is most common, accounting for about two-thirds of tuna caught globally every year. Each method has advantages as well as areas of concern.

Read about tuna fishing methods

 

Featured Graphics

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 indicates how the PVR helps to provide transparency of the fleet’s fishing activities, including changes in fish hold volume.

Download

ICYMI: Updated ISSF Conservation Measures | Evolving Measures for Sharks, Turtles, Birds + FAD Management

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

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Updated ISSF Conservation Measures

For long-term tuna fisheries 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.

This year, ISSF announced updates to several conservation measures that impact tuna fishing vessel practices. ISSF President Susan Jackson said: “ISSF continuously evolves our science-based conservation measures that guide seafood companies and tuna fishers to more sustainable practices. The ISSF Board of Directors has adopted changes to three vessel-focused measures that serve to deepen each measure’s impact.

“First, in additionally requiring proof of implementation rather than proof of policy alone for measures on protections for non-target species and shark finning prevention. And second, in making our conservation measure on FAD management policies more robust with the addition of data-reporting provisions.”

Learn more about the updates

 

Featured Blog

New Recommendations for International Fisheries Bodies Should Boost Compliance with Rules

Regional management organizations and their member countries can do more to reduce illegal fishing and improve transparency.

Read the blog on the Pew Charitable Trusts website

  

Featured Graphic

A table shows which RFMOs are leaders — that is, following best practices in fishery management — in several categories: IUU Vessel List, Authorized Vessel Record, Compliance Assessment Process, Observer Requirements, Supply & Tender Vessels, VMS, Transshipment, and FAD Management.

View the table

 

 

Science-Based Recommendations to RFMOs

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

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Science-Based Recommendations to RFMOs

ISSF and its partners cooperate with and support Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), and we vigorously advocate to RFMO members for the adoption and implementation of science-based management measures so that tuna stocks and their ecosystems are managed comprehensively and sustainably.

Our advocacy priorities include:

  • Implementation of rigorous harvest strategies, including harvest control rules and reference points
  • Effective management of fleet capacity, including establishing mechanisms that support developing coastal state engagement in the fishery
  • Science-based FAD management measures, requiring the use of both non-entangling FAD designs and biodegradable materials, and adopting FAD marking guidelines and tracking and recovery policies
  • Strengthened RFMO member compliance processes, including greater transparency in these processes to ensure full compliance with all adopted measures
  • Strengthened MCS measures, including tightening the regulation of at-sea transshipment; reforming vessel monitoring systems; increasing observer coverage on fishing vessels and carriers; and adopting port State measures
  • Adoption of best-practice bycatch mitigation for sea turtles, sharks and rays, seabirds, and effective shark conservation and management measures

Learn more

 

Featured Report

RFMO Best Practices Snapshot: Transshipment Regulation

Our “snapshots” identify best practices that RFMOs should follow to manage tuna fisheries sustainably. In detailed tables, the snapshots compare tuna RFMO progress in implementing the practices.

This snapshot identifies best practices in tuna RFMO transshipment regulations, and then shows each RFMO’s progress in implementing those practices. You can also review a related report, ISSF 2022-10: Transshipment: Strengthening Tuna RFMO Transshipment Regulations*.

View the snapshot

 

Featured Graphic

Our “RFMO Progress” infographic series conveys how “cumulative wins” for key issues in sustainable fishing have increased over time across WCPFC, ICCAT, IATC, and IOTC.

Updated in January 2022, this infographic shows the number of tuna RFMO actions from 2013-2021 related to Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) that aligned with ISSF’s advocacy recommendations.

View the graphic

 

Preventing IUU Fishing in Tuna Fisheries | Tuna RFMO Best Practice Snapshots

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Content

RFMO Best Practice Snapshots — IUU Vessel Listing & Transshipment Regulation

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. We also publish companion “best-practices reports” on these topics. Here we highlight two snapshots that address the topic of Illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing activities at sea.

IUU fishing poses a considerable threat to the sustainability of global fisheries resources. It contributes to overexploitation, impedes the recovery of fish stocks and ecosystems, deprives coastal States of the benefits of the fisheries resources over which they have jurisdiction, and undermines the economic viability of legal fishing operations. RFMO IUU vessel lists are designed to identify those vessels that operate outside of the international legal framework and undermine conservation and management measures and then to sanction them by depriving access to ports and markets, thus removing their ability to profit from IUU activities.

Read the IUU snapshot

 

The transfer of tuna at sea, without effective monitoring and data collection, undermines tuna sustainability. Unregulated, or poorly regulated, transshipment compromises the accuracy of RFMO stock assessments, provides a loophole for IUU activities and fish to enter the supply chain, and disrupts traceability and supply chain integrity. When comprehensively regulated and monitored, transshipment management measures will support rigorous traceability and help to combat IUU fishing and to prevent IUU fish from entering the supply chain. In addition, lawful transshipment can allow fishing vessels to remain at sea longer, thereby increasing their efficiency, because they no longer have to travel to port to offload their catch.

Read the transshipment snapshot

 

Featured Graphic

An infographic describes the negative impact of IUU fishing activities and explains what ISSF does to help combat it.

Download the infographic

 

ISSF in the News 

ISSF reports 86.4 percent of tuna catches coming from healthy stocks 

SeafoodSource

 

ICYMI: 86% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels | PLUS Tools for Tuna FIPs

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured News

86% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels; 9% Require Stronger Management

Updated Status of the Stocks Restores Eastern Pacific Ocean Skipjack Stock Abundance Rating to Green

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 86.4% is sourced from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the ISSF Status of the Stocks report. In addition, 9.2% of the total tuna catch came from overfished stocks, and 4.4% came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance.

The increase in the overall percentage of the catch coming from stocks at healthy levels of abundance — from 80.5% in the March 2022 report up to 86.4% in the July 2022 update — is mainly attributed to a positive change in the rating of the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) skipjack stock, which represents about 6% of the global tuna catch. In March 2022, the rating for the status of the EPO skipjack stock had been changed from green to yellow due to the lack of a recent stock assessment by the relevant regional fisheries management organization (RFMO), the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). Given the new assessment carried out by the IATTC in May 2022, the rating is being restored to green for the July 2022 report.  

Learn more

 

Featured Resource

UPDATED: Tuna FIPs & MSC Tuna Fisheries Tables

The ISSF website lists tuna fishery improvement projects (FIPs) that have profile pages on the FisheryProgress.org site. Each tuna FIP name in the table is linked to its description, and you can sort and filter the table by column.

Search the table

 

A second 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. Helping tuna fisheries meet sustainability criteria to achieve the MSC certification standard — without conditions — is ISSF’s ultimate objective. Tuna fishery names are linked to their pages on the MSC Track a Fishery site. You can sort or filter by column.

Search the table

 

Featured Tool

FIP Resources Finder

ISSF maintains the FIP Resources Finder as an online tool for fisheries that matches more than 200 ISSF reports, guidebooks, and other resources to MSC Principles and Performance Indicators (PIs).

Learn more

Helping Fisheries Better Monitor & Enforce Requirements Compliance Processes at Tuna RFMOs

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Blog

Helping Fisheries Managers Better Monitor and Enforce Requirements for Member States

ISSF is reflecting on the importance of strengthened RFMO compliance processes in the wake of recent progress by IATTC on this topic.

What good are regulations if they’re not followed? Why adopt policies without a strong plan to monitor adherence to them?  

In an era of greater expectations regarding transparency and accountability, these are the questions stakeholders are increasingly asking of RFMOs. And for tuna fisheries, a vital, global food source and economic engine, those expectations are especially heightened. Now, a group of policy experts is stepping in to help tuna RFMOs continue strengthening their compliance processes. 

Read the blog and review outcomes of a series of policy experts’ workshops

 

Featured Content

Electronic Monitoring in RFMOs: A Journey Towards Transparency

“When we talk about verified transparency in the tuna industry, it all begins on the water. Tuna are highly migratory, and tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are responsible for managing over 300 million square kilometers of ocean. Reliable monitoring at the surface of the ocean remains a challenging obstacle to achieving robust transparency and a fully traceable network within the supply chain.”

In ISSF’s annual report Transparent Accountability Across Tuna Fisheries, ISSF Senior Scientist Dr. Hilario Murua reviews how electronic monitoring improves the science underpinning the sustainable use of resources and provides an update on each tuna RFMO’s progress in embracing this important tool.   

Read the feature article (scroll to read)

 

Featured Resource

Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI)

ISSF’s Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) lists vessels — of all gear types — that are fishing in a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified tuna fishery, participating in a tuna Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), or both.

Like the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR), VOSI is a transparency tool for the public, including stakeholders that want to understand which tuna vessels have made public commitments to sustainable fishing beyond the commitments reflected on the PVR.

View VOSI

 

ISSF in the News

NGOs offer praise, criticisms of IATTC after 100th meeting of commission 

SeafoodSource