NGO applauds new measures for skipjack, bigeye and sharks, but urges further action

Following the recent annual Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting in La Réunion, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation’s (ISSF) has prepared a new article (below) applauding the spirit of cooperation evident at this year’s meeting as well as significant progress toward healthier ocean ecosystems and more sustainable fisheries management – like new measures for skipjack and bigeye tuna as well as sharks.

However, ISSF urges further action from the IOTC and remains concerned about weak compliance, diluted conservation measures and insufficient focus on monitoring and bycatch mitigation. Additionally, for the IOTC to fulfil its mandate, it insists that Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties must continue enhancing their science-based management and effective monitoring efforts.