Global Tuna Stock Health Shows Continued Progress: EFFOPs Insights from ISSF’s November 2024 Report
2024.12.5
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has released its November 2024 Status of the Stocks report, showcasing encouraging progress in global tuna sustainability. The report highlights that 88% of the global tuna catch now comes from stocks at healthy abundance levels, a 2% improvement since March 2024. However, the proportion of overfished stocks remains steady at 10%, with catch from intermediate-abundance stocks declining from 4% to 2%.
You can download the report here
Notable Stock Improvements
Eastern Pacific bigeye and Pacific bluefin tuna saw significant upgrades in their stock status, moving to “green” ratings for both abundance and fishing mortality. Similarly, Atlantic Mediterranean albacore improved to a “yellow” rating, though challenges persist due to limited data availability and monitoring efforts.
Advances in Management
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) continue to make strides in management practices. The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) adopted a new management procedure for skipjack tuna to address over-catch and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, updates to fish aggregating device (FAD) regulations by IOTC and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) aim to minimize ecological impacts and improve monitoring systems.
Key Industry Trends
The total global tuna catch in 2022 reached 5.2 million tonnes, a 2% increase from 2021. Skipjack tuna dominated at 57% of the catch, followed by yellowfin (30%), bigeye (7%), and albacore (5%). Purse seining accounted for 66% of the total catch, with longline (9%) and pole-and-line (8%) methods also contributing.
Tools for Stakeholders
ISSF has updated its Interactive Stock Status Tool, enabling stakeholders to explore detailed data on stock health and fishing methods. This tool provides valuable insights into global tuna fisheries and supports data-driven decision-making.
The November 2024 report highlights steady progress in global tuna management but emphasizes the need for ongoing collaboration, particularly in the Indian Ocean, to sustain improvements. EFFOP remains committed to supporting science-based management practices and working toward the long-term sustainability of global tuna stocks.
