“Talk and no action”: Indian Ocean Tuna Committee folds on yellowfin action

21 May 2024 --- The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) and its partners are left “concerned” following the 28th Indian Ocean Tuna Committee (IOTC) meeting, which was finalized this week with “mixed results.” 

According to the alliance, although significant strides have been made regarding the fishery management for skipjack tuna and drifting fish aggregating device (dFAD) management, there is still a lack of consensus on yellowfin tuna catch, which is expected to limit stock recovery of the species. 

Despite urgent calls by GTA’s partners and the WWF for a 30% reduction in yellowfin tuna catch, the IOTC “has yet again failed to reach an agreement on this crucial issue,” says the GTA. 

Daniel Suddaby, executive director of the GTA, expresses his disappointment: “Nine years of talk and no action, nine years of ignoring scientific advice. What will it take to drive change?”

Sustainability out of catch?
This yellowfin issue is serious, adds Kerrie Robertson, GTA’s advocacy lead. 

“The stock is declining, and continued inaction is a huge concern to GTA Partners, who are immensely frustrated. Many have already stopped sourcing yellowfin from the Indian Ocean. Our alliance will consider our actions, as this situation cannot persist unchecked. We simply cannot achieve sustainability if the IOTC does not take action.”

While the yellowfin outcome — or lack of it — is nothing short of disappointing, the GTA acknowledges that the IOTC had made “genuine progress” on drifting fish aggregating device management and skipjack management improvements. 

Despite calls for a 30% reduction in yellowfin tuna catch to allow stock recovery, the IOTC “has failed to reach an agreement.”“This is a very welcome, substantial reform to FAD management in the IOTC,” Robertson highlights. 

Looking forward
The GTA says it remains committed to advocating for responsible fishery management. 

“We will be seriously considering our next steps on this issue,” notes Robertson. “Our partners’ commitment to sustainable tuna sourcing does not waiver, and we will continue to amplify their united voices calling for effective measures for adoption at the next IOTC session.”

Earlier this month, we reported that the GTA was experiencing a surge of support from French retailers, marking a milestone step in its strategy to drive global change in tuna fisheries. 

Meanwhile, Future Ocean Foods is promoting the burgeoning alternative seafood industry, which is pegged as having massive global potential as consumers seek ocean-friendly alternatives. Initial member interest comes from companies in the US, UK and Singapore. The association is geared toward future food concepts, including plant-based, precision fermentation and cultivated food technologies. 

Yesterday, we reported that alt-seafood start-up BettaF!sh was involved in the FunSea project, a collaborative EU-wide research initiative designed to advance the nutritional quality and safety of cultivated brown and green seaweed.

The research project aims to develop novel, sustainable food products over three years by employing processing technologies and utilizing residual biomass derived from marine industries. 

Edited by Elizabeth Green