The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting in Mauritius (8-12 May 2023) is being urged by WWF to reduce the annual catch of yellowfin tuna by 30% – in line with analysis provided by the IOTC’s Scientific Committee – to give populations the opportunity to recover.
According to the conservation organisation, the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna fishery – calculated in 2018 to be worth more than US$4 billion – is approaching collapse after more than a decade of inaction to curb overfishing.
It said a 30% reduction in annual allowable catch is necessary for the recovery of the stock.
WWF highlights that the IOTC first adopted an interim plan to rebuild the populations of tuna and tuna-like species in 2016. Since then, four further resolutions have been adopted. But despite these efforts and progress on paper, yellowfin tuna catch remains unsustainably high, with no material reduction in catch despite clear recommendations from the IOTC’s Scientific Committee.
In 2021, a report from the committee found that a 30% reduction in the catch level from 2020 would be needed to grant a two out of three chance of rebuilding the stock by 2030.
“The IOTC’s efforts to rebuild yellowfin tuna stocks over the past eight years have been ineffective,” said Umair Shahid, WWF’s Indian Ocean Tuna Manager. “This is partly due to the body’s rules of engagement, most notably the rule that allows any IOTC member to object to, and opt out of, any resolution within 120 days of the resolution being adopted.
“Many parties come here to work in good faith to sustainably manage the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stock. But a few use their power to undermine resolutions aimed at rebuilding the stocks to healthy levels. It’s contrary to the whole notion of cooperative fisheries management.”
WWF said it will use the IOTC annual meeting to ask all IOTC members to adopt an overall catch reduction of 30% for yellowfin tuna and to commit to complying with IOTC resolutions and limit baseless objections to increase accountability and ensure healthy tuna stocks and oceans for future generations.
