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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.” 

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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.

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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

 

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

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

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.

New Tropical Tuna Measure Includes FAD Management

ISSF issued a position statement before the meeting calling for the adoption of a precautionary and science-based new version of the previous IATTC tuna conservation measure, which was ineffective in limiting catches of yellowfin, bigeye and skipjack. Fortunately, IATTC parties came to the meeting ready to work. It was gratifying to see IATTC member states and the Commission President work together in the months preceding the meeting, resulting in agreement on many issues prior to its start.

The Commission took action to safeguard tropical tuna stocks by adopting a new, enhanced tropical tuna measure. The improved measure includes additional fishery closure days for vessels that exceed a certain bigeye tuna annual catch threshold, while continuing the 72-day full closure for purse seine vessels, the “corralito” time/area closure, and bigeye catch limits for longline vessels.

Ahead of the meeting, ISSF urged that a new IATTC tuna measure also include and address FAD management through a range of possible options to prevent an increase in tropical tuna fishing mortality. We saw good progress here, too. Specifically, IATTC decided to (1) progressively reduce the limit on active FADs annually from 2022-2024 and (2) require the submission of operational FAD buoy data (position and biomass information) to the Commission for scientific purposes. And while we are disappointed that no headway was made on FAD marking and fully non-entangling FADs without nets, we are pleased that the IATTC FAD working group has been charged with recommending criteria for biodegradable FADs.

Finally, we are pleased that the new measure also mandates the submission of vessel monitoring data from purse seine and longline vessels to the IATTC for scientific research and assessment work.

Other Notable Action for EPO Tuna Fisheries

It’s worth noting other important wins from the IATTC meeting that answered ISSF position statement “asks.” The Commission adopted:

  • An electronic monitoring systems (EMS) work plan, a critical step in supporting IATTC’s scientific data collection and member compliance work
  • A Port State Measures resolution, essential to combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in EPO tuna fisheries
  • Recommendations to strengthen and more fully implement IATTC’s compliance assessment process — a move toward improving the Commission’s ability to monitor, assess, and improve their members’ implementation of conservation and management measures.

While a robust list of to-dos remains for the Commission — improvements in harvest strategies, at-sea transshipment reforms and other monitoring, control, surveillance (MCS) tools, along with further FAD management work — ISSF applauds the positive steps at last week’s IATTC meeting.

We stand ready to collaborate with stakeholders and to work with all IATTC members to support their efforts in the coming years. We remain watchful and engaged to ensure that more progress can be made for the long-term protection of EPO tuna fisheries.

 

 

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

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

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) — a global coalition of seafood companies, fisheries experts, scientific and environmental organizations, and the vessel community — today 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.”

Attracting 50,000+ visitors annually, ISSF's site offers information on industry efforts, fisheries research, and fishing policy to advance sustainable #tuna #fisheries and protect marine #ecosystems. Click To Tweet

ISSF has produced a short video highlighting the refreshed site’s content and design, which includes “Related News” and “Related Resources” sections on pages for easier discovery of relevant information and publications.

In addition to “Our Story” and “Our Priorities” content, the ISSF site features 100+ pages covering:

Up-to-date info and data on global tuna stock status and management, including user-friendly, interactive tools  

  • Status of the Stocks report and interactive tool  
  • Tuna species overview
  • RFMOs overview
  • Lists of Tuna Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) and MSC-Certified Tuna Fisheries

Verified reporting on sustainability commitments made across the global tuna supply chain 

  • Participating seafood companies list
  • Four public vessel lists that track fishing practices, including the ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI)
  • ISSF Conservation Measures and seafood company compliance audit reports

Fact-based content authored by tuna science and policy experts and presented in downloadable formats

  • Scientific reports & best practices reports and snapshots
  • Infographics
  • FIP Resources Finder

Informed perspectives on breaking news and developments in cross-sector work toward sustainable tuna fisheries

  • ISSF blog
  • Press releases
  • RFMO position statements

Profiles of the dedicated people behind ISSF, from the staff and Board of Directors to advisory committees in science and policy

  • Board of Directors
  • ISSF team
  • Scientific Advisory Committee
  • Environmental Stakeholder Committee

With more than 50,000 visitors annually, the ISSF site is a go-to destination for users interested in industry efforts, fisheries research, and fishing policy to advance sustainable tuna fisheries and protect marine ecosystems. The revised ISSF website — illustrated with exclusive ISSF photography, including from international research expeditions — was designed in collaboration with ISSF’s IT partner OpenArc, with additional project assistance provided by infodesign consultancy Background Stories. 

Improving Fishing Gear through Innovation & Outreach

Written by svanouse on . Posted in eNewsletters, News.

Featured Blog

Fisheries Research Must Go On

Fisheries scientists, like almost everyone else, were forced to accept a new normal during the global pandemic. We found ourselves sharing workspaces with our remote-learning children. Traveling much less often, as movement restrictions rendered certain projects downright unfeasible. And collaborating with colleagues virtually, rather than face-to-face—which meant missing some critically productive (and usually enjoyable) aspects of our work. But sustainability couldn’t wait for the old normal to return. We had to keep progressing, one way or another.

Some of our most exciting work is centered on “jelly-FADs”—biodegradable fish aggregating devices (FADs) that we designed in collaboration with a team of physical oceanographers. Jelly-FADs are made of organic materials and are smaller than traditional models, yet they drift slowly, like jellyfish, so ocean currents are less likely to carry them too far afield. Both of those qualities will reduce their environmental impact if they are lost or abandoned.

Read more from Dr. Gala Moreno

For an overview of ISSF’s collaborative work to date on improving the design and management of FADs, read Reviewing Progress on the Path to Better Designed, Better Managed FADs.

Read Dr. Victor Restrepo’s blog  

Featured Graphics

ISSF coordinates at-sea research to find the best non-entangling designs and natural materials for fish aggregating devices (FADs) that can biodegrade. This map shows where new trials and deployments of biodegradable FADs are taking place around the world.

View the graphic

A second comprehensive map infographic shows the locations and extent of ISSF’s research with tuna fleets since 2011. Some of the research projects also have included government and NGO partners.

View the graphic

Featured Content

ICYMI: 87.7% of Global Tuna Catch Continues to Come from Stocks at Healthy Levels; 9.6% Require Stronger Management

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 87.7% of the global catch continues to be sourced from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the newest 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