The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published a new strategic plan for the next five years in order to better maintain the sustainability of tuna stocks and their ecosystems.
The plan includes the ISSF’s intention to continue to define and promote science based approaches to tuna stocks to form more effective policies in future.
It also wants to ensure that participating companies are compliant with ISSF measures and to demonstrate this to regional fisheries management organisations (RFMO), stakeholders, governments and regulatory bodies.
ISSF also wants to build greater commitment and participation from vessel owners to advance sustainability efforts, to press RFMOs to adopt science based implementable measures and to reach out to retail companies to get ISSF incorporated into purchasing decisions.
Susan Jackson, president, ISSF, said: “While much has been accomplished in the past few years, there is still so much more to do and achieve. Any organisation focused on sustainability is only as strong as the will of its participants and partners to see it succeed. It’s that support that reinforces my belief that together we will achieve that dramatic change we all seek.”
The main tuna species of skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore are integral to the greater marine ecosystem, support the diet of millions and, as a commodity, tunas are fundamental to the global economy.
ISSF was founded back in 2008 by acclaimed scientists, leaders in industry and WWF based on shared concerns about the future of tuna fisheries and a desire to do something about it.
