Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) are international governing bodies that make management decisions for some of the world’s most valuable fisheries.

RFMO delegations rarely include the seafood markets that make up the consumer facing end of the supply chain. Without these additional voices and perspectives, management decisions may not accurately reflect stakeholders’ priorities and favor short-term economic gain, even at the risk of long-term sustainability.

Harvest strategies protect tuna fisheries for the long term.

By providing stability, predictability, and science-based safeguards, harvest strategies help ensure the future of tuna sourcing through a proactive approach to achieving long-term fishery objectives. Of the 23 main commercially valuable tuna stocks, only 10 have been adopted, leaving the market supply and profitability of more than half of the world’s tuna stocks unprotected.

Relationship building is the key to positive change at RFMOs.

RFMO decision makers often make up their minds on management actions ahead of the final discussions at RFMO commission meetings. To improve the impact of advocacy, relationships should be fostered and connections made directly with decision makers before these meetings.