The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has launched its new guidebook platform, ISSFguidebooks.org.
The site offers virtual manuals that share the latest guidance on responsible tuna fishing operations.
“Data collection and research is one facet of ISSF’s work toward improved sustainability of tuna stocks and the greater marine ecosystem,” said Dr Victor Restrepo, ISSF’s VP of Science. “ISSFguidebooks.org represents the practical application of this information in real-world terms, and is meant for an audience of fishers, observers and other stakeholders on the front lines of tuna fishing – individuals that may have the greatest impact in realising the goal of sustainable tuna fisheries.”
ISSF has also released the first edition of its Observer Training Guide, which provides observers on large-scale purse seine tuna vessels with an overview of the skills necessary for effective observing, particularly as they pertain to sustainable fishing practices. Although regional or national observer programs will benefit from the guidebooks, the manual is designed to complement rather than substitute such programs. Effective observer coverage is one of the ISSF Conservation Measures, which calls for 100% observer coverage for purse seine vessels that fish for tropical tunas.
The guidebook also summarises other ISSF Conservation Measures for the management of tropical tuna and bycatch species that vessels are to follow if they intend to sell to ISSF participating companies. In addition, the new guide includes sections on ‘Purse Seine Operations’, ‘Tuna ID’, ‘Bycatch’, ‘Scientific Sampling and Data Collection’, and ‘Fisheries Management’.
All guides are also available on the site as an ePub and a printable PDF, and will soon be available in a variety of languages.
