The Sixth Special Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) decided on Sunday 5 February in Mombasa, Kenya, to adopt measures to restrict the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs).
The measures were presented by 11 coastal states (Indonesia initiated the proposal) and were adopted by a two-thirds majority (16 out of 23 votes) in this regional fisheries organisation of which the EU is a member (see EUROPE 12959/18).
The measures, which should come into force on 1 January 2024, provide for a gradual reduction in the number of drifting FADs allowed per vessel, from 300 to 250 in the first year and to 200 in 2025. The creation of a registry of drifting FADs is also proposed. In addition, a 72-day closure period for drifting FADs is planned. This aspect of the proposal was strongly opposed by the EU.
NGOs such as the Blue Marine Foundation and the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), as well as Bloom, have welcomed these restrictions on the use of FADs.
EU professionals are vexed. According to the European trade organisation Europêche, “the majority of members of the IOTC (not using FADs) agreed to rapidly phase out drifting FADs which will destroy the purse seine fleets and undermine the economies of the developing states that depend on it”. For example, the canning industry in the Seychelles and Mauritius “might not survive this decision, since their supply depend on the landings from these vessels”, the organisation explains.
The 11 countries behind the measures “were driven by Indonesia, which objected to the yellowfin tuna management plan and has increased its catches by more than 250% since 2014”, Europêche further criticises.
Link to the 11-country proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/58g (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)