IOTC created a smoke screen to mask its serious governance deficiencies, says European fishing body

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)’s 28^th session, held 13-17 May 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, ended on a bitter note for the European fleet, according to fishing body Europêche. The organisation said that, focusing on FAD measures, IOTC “successfully created a smoke screen” to mask “its serious governance deficiencies and failure to adequately manage fish stocks”, especially yellowfin and neritic tunas or to enforce proper monitoring, control and surveillance.