Following the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) in India from 17 to 21 June, the European Commission noted progress with regard to reducing the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) but disappointments in the management of yellowfin tuna stocks.
The EU welcomed the adoption of ambitious measures aiming to improve FAD management and to remedy their “possible” negative impacts on marine ecosystems.
The IOTC established a series of measures to set the highest standards in all regional fisheries management organizations. The number of FADs is to be reduced to 300, and stronger monitoring and data collection measures have been introduced. The risk of catching non-targeted species will be reduced. As of 2022, all FADs will have to be made from biodegradable materials to reduce marine litter.
Ban on keeping manta rays. This regional fisheries organisation also declared a ban on keeping Manta and Mobula rays aboard fishing vessels. Artisanal fisheries are exempt from this ban but only for accidental catches and only until 2022. The EU regrets that the new conservation measures for yellowfin tuna are not ambitious enough to reduce current overfishing. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)