This year, major tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) such as the WCPFC, IOTC, IATTC, and ICCAT will focus on four pivotal themes that are likely to influence discussions and decisions in the tuna fisheries arena.
The first theme revolves around the implementation of harvest strategies. Management procedures for essential tuna stocks, including South Pacific albacore, have been established, shifting the focus toward applying these science-based strategies to set real fishing limits. Achieving long-term sustainability through effective allocation mechanisms will be a key topic across Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic tuna fisheries.
Transparency and monitoring represent the second significant theme. Decisions surrounding electronic monitoring, observer coverage, and compliance systems are set to impact how swiftly monitoring advances from pilot projects to operational functions. This transition is crucial for enhancing data credibility, traceability, and ultimately, the integrity of audits and due-diligence processes.
The third theme underscores responsible fishing practices, particularly concerning gear impacts. As the industry moves toward lower-impact and biodegradable Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), 2026 will be a pivotal year for establishing timelines, deployment limits, and transparency measures, such as FAD registers, which will influence ecosystem commitments.
Finally, social responsibility in tuna fisheries has emerged as an increasingly critical issue. Although most RFMOs are not yet prepared to introduce binding labor standards, the labor risks associated with tuna fisheries are becoming a top priority for retailers and suppliers. As such, ensuring crew welfare and aligning labor standards with international commitments, including ILO 188, is essential as regulatory expectations evolve.
Overall, this year’s discussions aim to translate scientific insights into effective regulations while prioritizing social equity and environmental sustainability in the global tuna fishing industry.
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