The 2024 Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting marked notable advancements in fisheries management. For the first time, a billfish species in the Pacific will undergo a management strategy evaluation (MSE). WCPFC agreed to develop an MSE framework for south Pacific swordfish starting in 2025, setting the stage for designing a future management procedure (MP) for the stock.
Another milestone was support for a joint pan-Pacific working group with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) on south Pacific albacore tuna. This group would aim to enhance stock management and monitoring while supporting WCPFC’s development of an MP. Its success now hinges on IATTC’s endorsement at its 2025 annual meeting. Additionally, progress was made on bigeye tuna, with the adoption of three candidate target reference points (TRPs) for evaluation in MSE. These TRPs provide critical flexibility for aligning multi-species targets. On skipjack tuna, a monitoring plan for the existing MP was successfully adopted, bolstering ongoing management.
Despite these gains, efforts to establish a south Pacific albacore MP faltered. This setback spurred industry warnings about potential Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification suspensions if an agreement isn’t reached in 2025. An intersessional working group has been scheduled for next year.
With steps forward on swordfish, albacore, bigeye, and skipjack, the WCPFC must maintain momentum by scheduling intersessional meetings and resolving outstanding challenges to secure critical agreements in 2025 and beyond.
Banner image: A swordfish captured in an offshore longline. Image courtesy of Andre Seale / Marine Photobank.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) made history last week by adopting harvest control rules for Adriatic sardines and anchovies, the first for this organization. Until now, the only international harvest strategy in the Mediterranean was the Atlantic bluefin tuna management procedure adopted by ICCAT.
Grantly Galland, a project director for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ international fisheries program, said:
“Sardines and anchovies in the Adriatic Sea are the first beneficiaries of a move to sustainable, science-based harvest strategies in the region. This week, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) adopted these new rules, which should prevent overfishing of these valuable fish populations. Given that over half the species managed by the Commission are overfished, this is an encouraging step, and the commitment to more harvest strategies in the future will help rebuild and maintain fisheries’ health over time.”
Pre-Agreed Catch Limits for Sardines
The first of the two harvest strategies applies to Adriatic sardines, a species critical to the region’s fishing industry and ecosystem. Under the new rule, pre-agreed catch limits will replace the need for annual quota negotiations. This state-of-the-art management approach aligns fishing activity with the boom and bust of sardine populations, helping to maintain a stable fishery that can be sustained over time. By reducing the uncertainty of year-to-year negotiations, GFCM is helping prevent overfishing and ensuring a more consistent supply, benefiting both fish populations and the fishers who rely on them.
Anchovy-Specific Harvest Strategy
In parallel, GFCM has also implemented a harvest strategy tailored explicitly for anchovies. This pre-set catch limit will similarly protect anchovy populations from the pressures of overfishing, ensuring that catch levels remain within sustainable bounds. Anchovies, like sardines, are an essential species both ecologically and economically for the region, and this modern management approach provides the framework needed to support their recovery and long-term health. By putting science at the forefront of decision-making, GFCM is paving the way for resilient fishery management that secures the future of anchovy stocks in the Adriatic.
A Positive Step for the Future of the Mediterranean
Sardines and anchovies in the Adriatic are now at the forefront of sustainable fisheries management, setting a new standard for GFCM’s commitment to implementing harvest strategies across the Mediterranean. These newly adopted HCRs mark a significant advance but will require additional agreements on data inputs and assessment methods to evolve into a fully operational and robust harvest strategy. There’s still work to be done, and these initial steps are expected to spark a ripple effect that benefits both biodiversity and the fishing economy in the region.
With these measures, the GFCM demonstrates its dedication to science-based fisheries management, inspiring similar actions in other Mediterranean fisheries. Blackspot seabream is next on the list for GFCM’s harvest strategy development, showing that this progress for sardines and anchovies is just the beginning. By adopting these HCRs, the commission is paving a path to restore the Adriatic’s marine ecosystem and secure a resilient future for this vital fishing region.
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) annual meeting in Suva, Fiji, presents an opportunity to tackle critical fisheries issues impacting the region. From tuna to swordfish, Pacific fisheries are vital resources, providing food security, economic support, and cultural value to numerous island communities and nations. However, these fisheries face significant challenges with pressures from declining catch rates, climate impacts, and competing economic demands. This year’s meeting could be a turning point, as WCPFC members are set to discuss and potentially adopt management measures that can secure a sustainable future for key stocks, including South Pacific albacore, bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas.
To meet these challenges, the WCPFC must adopt modern management procedures to reinforce scientific collaboration and establish support structures for ongoing development. Taking action on these fronts will ensure that fisheries across the Western and Central Pacific are resilient and sustainable for future generations.
A Management Procedure for South Pacific Albacore
The South Pacific Group and Australia have proposed an interim management procedure (MP) for the South Pacific albacore fishery, which has undergone extensive testing through management strategy evaluation (MSE). Adopting this MP would mark a significant step forward in modernizing fisheries management in the region, securing a sustainable future for this economically and culturally important stock.
Implementation Through a New Conservation and Management Measure
To realize the benefits of the MP, the WCPFC must commit to developing a new conservation and management measure that will be implemented. This concept from the South Pacific Group is proposed to be further developed with a target of being adopted in 2025 so the MP can be implemented from 2026 onward. By committing to this measure, the WCPFC will ensure that the MP’s objectives are upheld across the entire Convention Area, providing consistent management that can respond to changing environmental and economic conditions.
Building Regional Cooperation with a Joint Working Group
South Pacific albacore is a shared resource, and effective management requires cooperation. The United States has proposed establishing a joint South Pacific albacore working group with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). This group would enable WCPFC and IATTC to coordinate efforts, share data, and implement aligned management approaches. Establishing this joint working group in 2025 would enhance the region’s capacity to sustainably manage a fishery that spans both Convention Areas, ensuring a cohesive approach that benefits all stakeholders. The South Pacific albacore MSE already accounts for mortality in the eastern Pacific, so it should not preclude the adoption of an MP for the stock at WCPFC this year.
Strengthening Regional Fisheries Management Across Other Key Stocks
Beyond the South Pacific albacore, the WCPFC has a broader responsibility to adopt modern, science-based management for other critical stocks. During this year’s meeting, the Commission should prioritize the following actions:
A Pivotal Moment for Regional Fisheries
The WCPFC’s annual meeting in Suva presents a vital opportunity to set the course for sustainable fisheries management in the Pacific. By adopting the proposed MP for South Pacific albacore, advancing other management measures, and establishing permanent support structures like the SMD Group, the Commission can protect the region’s valuable fish stocks and support the communities that depend on them. Now is the time for decisive action, collaboration, and commitment to a sustainable future for Pacific fisheries.
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is about a decade into management procedure (MP) development for its fisheries. There’s a lot to be proud of. The iconic – and controversial – Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries are now managed under an MP, with science-based catch limits in place. Since its adoption in 2017, the North Atlantic albacore rule has allowed stock growth alongside catch increases each cycle, including in 2020, when a global pandemic prevented the annual meeting. As the 2024 annual meeting convenes in Limassol, Cyprus, later this week, ICCAT has the opportunity to add two more stocks to its list of MP-managed species and to make a plan to take ICCAT’s management strategy evaluation (MSE) efforts into the next decade.
First and foremost, the much-anticipated North Atlantic swordfish management procedure is up for adoption, with proposals submitted by Canada and the United States/European Union. The two proposals are very similar, with placeholder text for agreement on one of the five remaining MP options, all of which will increase catches, are projected to meet conservation objectives and take climate change considerations into account. As a result, ICCAT can’t go wrong with adopting any of these five candidate MPs in Cyprus.
Championed by Brazil from the MSE development to the MP proposal up for consideration at this meeting, Western Atlantic skipjack tuna is another stock ready for MP adoption. As this will be the first-ever management measure covering the stock, the plan is to adopt an MP this year, conduct some additional MSE testing, and develop a method to implement the MP-based catch limit next year to have the MP go into effect in 2026. Learn more about the MP options here.
Once ICCAT adopts MPs for northern swordfish and western skipjack, ICCAT will be done with five of the eight stocks identified for MSE development back in 2015. The three remaining stocks are all part of the multi-stock tropical tunas MSE – bigeye, yellowfin, and eastern Atlantic skipjack tuna. To advance this work toward completion, ICCAT should adopt conceptual management objectives for the stock, as proposed by the United States. The European Union has submitted a competing proposal, but it includes unacceptably risky objectives for all three stocks. Both proposals call for MP adoption in 2026, requiring the MSE development work to start back up in earnest.
With only one more MSE in initial development, it is also time to consider additional stocks of interest for MSE development. South Atlantic albacore is a good candidate since significant uncertainty caused the most recent stock assessment to fail, and an MSE-tested MP could help to improve the management of the fishery. We applaud South Africa for proposing to start developing an MP for the stock and urge ICCAT to adopt PA3-701.
Other stocks that have diverse stakeholder and ICCAT member interest in MSE include South Atlantic swordfish and North and South Atlantic blue sharks, and we urge ICCAT to add them to the MSE roadmap alongside South Atlantic albacore using a streamlined MSE development process based on the lessons learned over the past decade.
This year’s FAO SOFIA report noted substantial progress in stock status of tunas, with 87% of tuna stocks fished sustainably, up from 66% just two years prior. The report credited MSE advancement for these “positive results.” This year, ICCAT should add to this success by adopting an MP for northern swordfish and western skipjack, as well as management objectives for the multistock tropical tunas MSE, and adding four new stocks for MSE development. This will help secure ICCAT’s contributions to better news in the next SOFIA report. Let’s hope ICCAT members seize the day!
The Mediterranean Sea is already home to one of the more well-known harvest strategies – adopted for Mediterranean bluefin tuna in 2022. Fishing for that species has been at high levels for thousands of years, and the harvest strategy implemented by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas should allow for long-term sustainability of today’s fisheries. Now, another regional fisheries management organization with jurisdiction over most of the fisheries in the Mediterranean has an opportunity to adopt its first two harvest strategies.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has its annual Commission meeting next week, from the 4th to the 8th of November in Rome, Italy. Among other items, the group has an opportunity to adopt harvest control rules (HCRs) for sardines and anchovies in the Adriatic. If members – led by the European Union, Albania, and Montenegro – can agree to adoption this year, it will represent a big step forward for GFCM and for fisheries in the region.
Currently, more than half of the stocks in the Mediterranean are subject to overfishing, but the Commission is making strides to reverse some of those downward trends, and fishing has been reduced to sustainable levels for one of its iconic stocks, the European hake in the Strait of Sicily. Now, the opportunity to adopt HCRs for fisheries targeting the commercially- and ecologically important sardine and anchovy populations in the Adriatic can further demonstrate positive action at the GFCM. These small pelagic species not only support processing industries throughout the area, but they provide important forage for other wildlife. A precautionary HCR should preserve their role in the ecosystem.
While the HCRs under consideration by the Commission have been tested through management strategy evaluation and generally follow Commissioners’ guidance, it would be good to include the other components of a full management procedure (MP) when considering adoption. Recording the fisheries indicators and assessment methods that are needed to implement the HCR is best practice. If these items are not adopted this year, that should be a priority for GFCM during the early implementation phase.
In addition to these proposed HCRs, GFCM should continue its commitment to developing and adopting harvest strategies by following the advice of its scientists and advancing work on the blackspot seabream in the western Mediterranean, the European hake and benthic shrimp fisheries in the Strait of Sicily, and the dolphinfish (or mahimahi) across the whole region. These actions will require support and leadership from the European Union, Morocco, and Tunisia, among others.
GFCM has already demonstrated a commitment to adopting harvest strategies for its priority stocks, a big step in the right direction for fisheries management in the Mediterranean. If they are successful in adopting or advancing all these efforts, next week’s meeting will be one to remember.
The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Annual Meeting concluded in Panama City last week, and several important decisions and developments will shape and advance fisheries management in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) in the coming years. Below are the key harvest strategy-related proposals discussed, their outcomes, and the work ahead for these critical fisheries.
Science-Management Dialogue (SMD) Working Group
The IATTC agreed to establish a formal Science-Management Dialogue (SMD) group to advance the management strategy evaluation (MSE) process in the EPO. First proposed by the IATTC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) in 2018, this group will provide a structured forum for guiding harvest strategies. Until now, the Commission has relied on informal MSE workshops, including the most recent one in December 2022, which, while useful for capacity building, lacked the authority to make formal recommendations. Thanks to Ecuador’s proposal, this group will be able to make formal recommendations to the Commission, streamlining progress toward effective and efficient management.
South Pacific Albacore (SPALB) Collaboration
Ecuador’s proposal for improved collaboration between the IATTC and WCPFC for the development of a SPALB harvest strategy was adopted. This collaboration is critical to ensuring effective Pacific-wide management of the stock. IATTC representatives joined the WCPFC’s SMD working group, ensuring that SPALB catches in the EPO are properly accounted for in WCPFC’s developing harvest strategy, which is scheduled for adoption this year.
Tropical Tunas (TT) and Bigeye Tuna (BET) Management
The tropical tunas measure dominated discussions at the meeting. This year’s yellowfin tuna assessment failed, leading to a prolonged debate over how long to extend the current measures. Delegates agreed to adopt a two-year rollover with triggers to review the measure if new information becomes available. While this measure was extended by two years, an MSE-tested harvest strategy is expected for bigeye next year. It is essential to maintain momentum toward this important milestone. IATTC has committed to scheduling at least two workshops/SMD meetings before the 2025 meeting to agree on management objectives and provide feedback on the preliminary MSE results.
Sharks: A New Path Forward
A proposal for improving shark management was adopted, which includes guidance on shark research. This adoption gives IATTC the mandate to work on developing a blue shark MSE, which would align with ongoing efforts at ICCAT and IOTC and improve management for this commercially and ecologically important species.
FAO and HarvestStrategies.org
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with HarvestStrategies.org, hosted a well-attended side event at the IATTC meeting that highlighted the ongoing work to promote the adoption of harvest strategies for sustainable fisheries management. The event provided a platform to discuss the importance of implementing effective science-based management tools, with a particular focus on how harvest strategies can help safeguard vital fish stocks in the EPO and beyond.
Looking Ahead in 2025
IATTC made significant strides during its annual commission meeting, but much work remains. With several proposals adopted, including the formalization of the SMD working group and advancing cross-commission collaboration on SPALB, the groundwork is laid for continued progress. Harvest strategy priorities for 2025 include the adoption of harvest strategies for bigeye and Pacific bluefin tuna, the first SMD meeting, and the first climate change workshop, which is expected to highlight MSE and harvest strategies as tools to build climate-smart management systems.
Building on the momentum from this meeting, there is strong potential for member countries, scientists, managers, and stakeholders to collaborate effectively and ensure that modern, sustainable fisheries management in the EPO becomes a reality.
As the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) annual meeting on September 2-6 approaches, key proposals will take center stage, potentially shaping the future sustainability of vital fish stocks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). Central to these discussions are harvest strategies—science-based management procedures that are critical for ensuring the long-term health and resilience of our fisheries. The decisions made at this meeting will not only influence the future of fisheries management in the EPO, but also set the stage for addressing challenges like climate change in the region. Therefore, a proactive stance on several key proposals becomes critical.
For several years, the IATTC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) has recommended the creation of a formal dialogue group to guide the management strategy evaluation (MSE) process for IATTC stocks. Despite these repeated recommendations—starting in 2018 and reiterated multiple times, the Commission has relied on informal MSE workshops. While these workshops, most recently held in December 2022, were useful for initial capacity building, the group’s lack of authority to make recommendations to the Commission has become a significant obstacle.
The terms of reference for the group have already been preliminarily agreed upon, and the formalization of this dialogue group, as proposed by Ecuador, is now a critical step. This action would empower the group to make formal recommendations, streamlining the path toward effective management. To better understand how an SMD benefits modern fisheries management, read more here.
Incorporating climate change considerations into IATTC activities is essential since there is already evidence of the impacts of changing ocean conditions on EPO fisheries. Adopting a climate change work plan, endorsed by the IATTC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) in June, that includes climate-informed stock assessments and integrates with MSE processes signifies a step forward in adaptive and resilient fisheries management.
Building upon the momentum of adopting the North Pacific Albacore harvest strategy in 2023, there is a need for the IATTC to collaborate with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) on developing a harvest strategy for South Pacific Albacore, paving the way for comprehensive, Pacific-wide management of the stock. Ecuador’s proposed collaborative measure is a step in the right direction (read it here), but while the harvest strategy is under development, introducing some management for SPALB in the EPO—such as a cap on longline vessels fishing for the stock, as Ecuador had proposed last year—would be prudent. IATTC should reinstate that language and adopt the proposal this year.
While Ecuador’s comprehensive shark proposal is commendable, it can be strengthened to include a call to develop an MSE for blue sharks in the EPO, following a model similar to that of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
Following encouraging news from the 2024 stock assessment that the Pacific bluefin stock is no longer overfished, IATTC members are proposing to increase the quota in the EPO by more than 50%. This is a potentially dangerous increase, given the uncertainty in the assessment. It would be more sensible to delay such a quota increase until an MSE-tested harvest strategy is adopted next year as planned, ensuring that uncertainties are properly addressed.
Establishing clear management objectives ensures a guided and effective MSE process, which is crucial for sustainable management. A harvest strategy is scheduled to be adopted for bigeye next year, but objectives have not yet been agreed. There are now four proposals for amending the current tropical tuna measure. As they get blended into one measure for adoption next week, the final version should include a recommitment to the adoption of a BET harvest strategy in 2025 and a list of preliminary management objectives for the fishery, as proposed by the EU.
We commend the IATTC for creating the first Pacific-wide harvest strategy last year to jointly manage North Pacific Albacore fisheries with WCPFC, a significant milestone in international fisheries management. However, the work is not yet complete. Although the IATTC committed to adopting a methodology for translating the Harvest Control Rule (HCR)-calculated fishing intensity into Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and/or Total Allowable Effort (TAE) in 2024, there is unfortunately no proposal on the table to adopt the conversion. It is, therefore, crucial that the IATTC recommit to finalizing this next year to ensure the harvest strategy can be effectively implemented and deliver on its promise of long-term, sustainable management.
As IATTC convenes next week in Panama, it’s imperative that members and interested parties advocate for the development and adoption of harvest strategies that promise a sustainable future for our fisheries. It’s important to note that the IATTC is currently the only tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organization (tRFMO) that has not implemented a harvest strategy. This gap underscores the urgency for IATTC to adopt and implement a harvest strategy to maintain its leadership in modern, science-based fisheries management.
By supporting enlightened proposals, recommending necessary modifications, and addressing missed opportunities, IATTC can ensure that it stands as a leader in fisheries management, adept at navigating the challenges posed by climate change and other threats. Let’s make this year’s meeting count.
Pacific saury is one of the popular fishes in Korea. The general public enjoys it for its rich nutrition and affordability. People savour saury in various forms, such as grilled, canned, and semi-dried with diverse recipes. For example, canned saury in kimchi stew is a common lunch choice for business workers in Korea. Beloved by many Koreans and people around the world, saury is a keystone species for a healthy marine ecosystem and plays a crucial role as a climate change indicator species. However, Pacific Saury is facing a serious depletion crisis (see Figure 1).
Rising sea temperatures due to climate change seriously threaten saury and can alter its distribution and migration patterns during its peak fishing season from October to November. Climate change has already led to decreased saury harvests in the waters surrounding Korea and the broader North Pacific, which is further exacerbated by excessive fishing activities. With its short lifespan and sensitivity to environmental changes, saury presents challenges in predictable management. Given growing effects from climate change and threats from overfishing, a management procedure is urgently needed to protect saury for the long-term.
Harvest strategy discussions have begun within the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC), most notably with the recent adoption of a harvest control rule (HCR) for saury. HCRs are the operational component of a harvest strategy, which are essentially pre-agreed guidelines that determine how much fishing can occur based on indicators of the target stock’s status. Therefore, adopting HCRs is essential for recovering declining saury populations and effectively managing unpredictable changes. Some RFMOs have successfully implemented similar management procedures (MPs), including HCRs, for tuna and other species.
At the 2024 Commission meeting, the NPFC adopted an HCR for Pacific saury, which constrains the limits of the maximum change in catch (MAC) to 10% but sets an immediate total allowable catch (TAC) of 135,000 metric tons. Some member states supported an HCR with a MAC of 40%, but others favoured the 10% MAC option and sought to postpone the implementation of the HCR by a year. Ultimately, the compromise reached on the HCR represents an improvement over the current situation and is expected to facilitate rebuilding the saury stock to Bmsy (biomass at maximum sustainable yield) by 2028. Importantly, this compromise marks progress towards developing and implementing a comprehensive MP for Pacific Saury based on a full scientific testing process called management strategy evaluation, which is expected to be adopted by the 2027 Commission meeting.
Given recent climate fluctuations and excessive fishing, the decline in saury populations has intensified, further complicating management efforts. Therefore, proactive, science-based management through its interim HCR and, subsequently, a comprehensive management procedure is crucial. To achieve this, stakeholders in the NPFC, including significant fishing nations and citizens who enjoy seafood, must prioritise conservation efforts and sustainable management practices. We all hope to see increased efforts for the Pacific Saury conservation in the NPFC Convention Area in the near future.
There’s much to celebrate today in the Indian Ocean. The gavel just dropped on the annual Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting in Bangkok, and not one but two management procedures (MPs) were adopted! As we had hoped in the preview we posted last week, IOTC members came together to chart a course for the future of sustainable fisheries for two priority stocks: swordfish and skipjack tuna.
The adoption of the first-ever MP, also known as a harvest strategy, for swordfish, marks a historic milestone for international fisheries. Anchored in rigorous scientific groundwork, the MP will set the first total allowable catch (TAC) for swordfish in the Indian Ocean to ensure a sustainable and healthy swordfish population, safeguarding the continued productivity of the fishery. It is designed to provide a 60% probability that the swordfish stocks will achieve the target reference point (TRP), which is set at the adult biomass that will support maximum sustainable yield (SBMSY) between 2034-2038. The MP aims to maximize the average catch while balancing the stock’s continued stability and ensuring a high probability of avoiding the limit reference point (LRP) of 40% SBMSY. The first MP-based TAC will be implemented in 2026, following an agreement on an allocation arrangement no later than 2025.
Adopting an MP for a non-tuna species managed by one of the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) is a significant milestone. It demonstrates the IOTC’s commitment to sustainable fishery management and underscores the importance of a proactive approach to managing already healthy fish stocks. Now, managers in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans should follow this development by adopting harvest strategies for the other swordfish populations around the world.
In tandem with a new harvest strategy for swordfish, the IOTC has also adopted a comprehensive, fully specified MP for skipjack tuna. The skipjack MP targets at least a 50% likelihood that skipjack stocks will be at or above 40% of the unfished level (SB0) by 2034-2038, which is roughly equivalent to a 90% chance of being above the biomass that would support MSY. The MP also commits to keeping the skipjack stock levels above the limit reference point of 20% of SB0 “at all times.” This will ensure that the stock is never overfished. Since the 2016 HCR was used to set the skipjack TAC for 2024-26, the MP will used to set the TAC starting in 2027.
Furthermore, IOTC has tasked the Scientific Committee (SC) with incorporating a multi-species framework into future revisions of the MP, including consideration of fishing impacts on the marine ecosystem (i.e., associated and non-target species – marine turtles, marine mammals, seabirds, sharks and other fish species), a move towards ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM).
An EBFM perspective recognizes the interconnectedness of marine species and the cumulative effects of fisheries on ecosystem health. By adopting this comprehensive approach, IOTC is advancing towards ensuring the sustainability of individual species like skipjack tuna and swordfish while holistically safeguarding marine biodiversity.
The work doesn’t end with swordfish and skipjack; albacore tuna is the next MP on the horizon for the Indian Ocean, scheduled for adoption in 2025, and the development of an MP for overfished yellowfin tuna needs to be reinvigorated. In addition, the crucial topic of allocation will also be a focus, ensuring equitable and sustainable distribution of tuna resources. The TACs based on the 2016 skipjack HCR have been exceeded by up to 30% every year since adoption, and that’s likely to continue under the new skipjack MP unless IOTC urgently resolves its longstanding allocation deadlock.
Although initial efforts to advance the development of an MP for blue sharks fell short, the IOTC Scientific Committee will have an opportunity to provide important input during their upcoming December deliberations.
As we close a pivotal week for international fisheries, the collaborative milestones achieved for swordfish and skipjack tuna exemplify a steadfast dedication to sustainable fisheries management using MPs and hold the promise of what’s to come.
In the world of fisheries management, certain moments stand out as pivotal — opportunities to redefine our approach to ocean stewardship and secure a more sustainable and biodiverse marine environment. The upcoming Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, are poised to be one such moment, with the opportunity to set precedents for the management of swordfish and skipjack tuna fisheries, as well as lay the groundwork for locking in a sustainable future for sharks. Management procedures (MPs), also known as harvest strategies, are at the heart of each of these potential advancements.
Swordfish Management: A Pioneering Move
The IOTC’s anticipated adoption of an MP for swordfish would be a significant breakthrough, representing three “firsts.” If the Australian proposal passes, the MP will set the first-ever catch limit for swordfish in the Indian Ocean, starting in 2026. It would also be the first MP adopted for swordfish worldwide and the first MP for any non-tuna species managed by one of the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO).
This initiative recognizes the critical importance of comprehensive MPs in managing the complexities and uncertainties of marine fisheries. Given the healthy status of the swordfish population in the Indian Ocean, it emphasizes the value of implementing an MP while fish stocks are still at target levels. As such, it is crucial for the IOTC to adopt the MP for swordfish without delay to ensure the continued vitality and sustainability of this resource.
Sustainable Management for Skipjack Tuna
IOTC has faced challenges in effectively managing skipjack tuna fisheries. Since adopting a harvest control rule (HCR) in 2016, annual catch limits have been consistently surpassed. A key roadblock has been the difficulty in agreeing on catch allocation among member states. To improve the scientific basis for management, the European Union has proposed an MP that builds upon and upgrades the current HCR to a fully specified MP, offering a comprehensive and transparent approach to managing skipjack tuna.
The proposed MP outlines the management objectives, the decision rule for calculating the total allowable catch (TAC), and the process for handling exceptional circumstances – rare and unforeseen events that the MP is not designed to manage.
IOTC should adopt an MP for skipjack tuna, requiring a 70% likelihood that the fishery’s status will align with management objectives to ensure the stock is neither overfished nor subject to overfishing, important since skipjack plays such a vital role in the marine ecosystem as both predator and prey.
Once implemented, a fully specified MP will combine meticulous scientific analysis with strategic policy enhancements to ensure the long-term viability of the skipjack tuna fishery.
Extending the Horizon to Sharks
In addition to the progress anticipated for swordfish and skipjack, Maldives and Pakistan have submitted a proposal to broaden the IOTC’s management of sharks. The proposal calls for the development of reference points for priority shark species, key elements that contribute to creating an MP in the future. It also specifically calls for a TAC for blue sharks, which can be most effectively set by an MP. This proposal also highlights apex predators’ vital role in marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to overexploitation—a move that underscores the species’ ecological significance and susceptibility to overfishing.
Widening IOTC’s scope by adopting this proposal would usher in several promising developments. It marks the continued progression of implementing specific actions designed to secure shark populations’ future health and sustainability. It sets the stage for an expanded application of MPs to sharks and other non-target species. It also creates an opportunity to craft comprehensive MPs that reflect the complex interplay among marine species and their roles within their ecosystems.
Looking Forward
As we look forward to the critical discussions at the IOTC meetings, it’s important to note the significant role played by the 8th Session of the Technical Committee on Management Procedures (TCMP), which is scheduled to meet on May 10-11, just before the main annual meeting on May 13-17. The TCMP will evaluate and recommend the final set of candidate MPs for swordfish and skipjack tuna, serving as an essential science-management dialogue forum. This moment is historically significant, marking possibly the first instance where a tuna RFMO is set to adopt two separate MPs within the same meeting—one for swordfish and another for skipjack tuna.
The push for these advancements is bolstered by support from a wide spectrum of organizations and stakeholders, highlighting a consensus around the urgency and necessity of advancing MPs. Institutions such as The Pew Charitable Trusts, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), Bumblebee Foods, Europêche, and the NGO Tuna Forum—have all signaled their backing, underlining the collective priority within the IOTC framework to progress MPs.
As stakeholders convene in Bangkok, we advocate for IOTC members to grasp this opportunity and commit to implementing comprehensive management approaches for these key species. Such action would affirm their commitment to maintaining robust and productive fisheries for the future.