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ISSF Responds to IOTC Annual Meeting Outcomes
Minimal Progress for the Protection of Indian Ocean Tuna Stocks
(WORLDWIDE, 6/20/2021)
The International Seafood Sustainability Fund (ISSF) has cautiously endorsed measures to protect Indian tuna after the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission's annual meeting on steps to follow up on scientific recommendations.
Describing the results of the meeting as “minimal overall progress for the long-term protection of tuna stocks in the region,” an ISSF spokesman commented that ISSF “remains cautious in its assessment of the success of this new measure,” citing a catch limit for yellowfin tuna of 410,000 tonnes. This indicator is in line with the advice of the IOTC Scientific Committee.
“However, it is unclear whether such a reduction in catch will be achieved, given the concerns of some Members and their stated intention to object to this measure. If all parties to the IOTC do not fully implement measures to protect yellowfin tuna, the catch level recommended by the IOTC Scientific Committee will be exceeded, ” the ISSF said.
The ISSF Board plans to decide at its meeting in July 2021 whether ISSF Measure 1.3 IOTC Yellowfin Recovery Measures will or will not come into effect.
 “Although all issues on limiting the catch of tuna in the Indian Ocean have been addressed by the IOTC, unfortunately the Commission has made notable progress only with regard to electronic monitoring. The ISSF welcomes the IOTC agreement to establish a Working Group on Electronic Monitoring of Fisheries. This decision advances work to establish the use of important monitoring technology in the Indian Ocean tuna fishery, ” commented an ISSF spokesman, adding that ISSF remains focused on taking action to protect the region's valuable tuna fisheries and associated ecosystems in the long term.
“We will work hard over the coming weeks and months with all stakeholders to achieve this goal,” added ISSF officials.
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