The European Union helped secure an important agreement in Malé, Maldives, at the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), announced the European Commission on Monday 18 May (see EUROPE 13869/14). This agreement introduces a new measure aimed at better managing Indian Ocean swordfish. It is based on a joint proposal from the EU and Australia.
According to the Commission, the new rules make it possible to set catch limits for all the main fishing nations in the region. They are in line with the total allowable catches (TACs) defined by the IOTC in 2024 on the basis of the latest scientific recommendations. The measure will be applied for an initial period of two years, providing a clear and predictable framework for sustainable fishing.
Swordfish is an important resource for coastal communities, particularly in the EU’s outermost regions of La Réunion and Mayotte, where local fishermen depend on them.
Under this new IOTC measure, European fleets have been allocated a TAC of 6,356 tonnes for 2027 and 2028. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)