The 29th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), held in Réunion from 13 to 17 April, ended with the adoption of a comprehensive management framework for tropical tuna.
The European shipowners’ organisation Europêche is calling on all IOTC stakeholders to implement and enforce the adopted measures as soon as possible (see EUROPE 13413/38).
Skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin tuna. IOTC members adopted catch limits for skipjack and bigeye tuna – which constitutes a significant step towards an efficient, science-based management framework for tropical tuna. The three main species of tropical tuna are thus subject to catch limitation systems.
“To complete this framework, IOTC must now take advantage of the good status of yellowfin tuna stock to develop an inclusive management plan and avoid unilateral actions that could compromise sustainable exploitation of tropical tunas in the Indian Ocean,” asserts Europêche. The IOTC also adopted measures concerning shark fishing in order to strengthen the fight against finning.
According to Europêche, adopting the skipjack measure by vote (rather than by consensus) “reflects a broader shift that could challenge the effectiveness of future IOTC measures”. Although this procedure is provided for in the regulation, the growing use of it risks – according to Europêche – “a rise in formal objections, weakening the cohesion and enforceability of conservation measures”.
EU fishermen also lamented the decision to exempt Indonesia from the requirement to deploy IOTC-certified independent observers during transhipments at sea. Such exemptions could create “significant loopholes in monitoring and increase the risk of IUU fishing”.
Europêche regrets that discussions on high-seas boarding and inspection, banning finning, and improving monitoring of gillnet fisheries have not progressed – “largely due to persistent opposition from a small group of countries”. Despite the EU’s proposal, IOTC members did not mention crew labour standards. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)