On the picture: Launch of the International Alliance for the Recovery of FADs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, signed by four major tuna associations

Following the Scientific Committee’s June 2025 recommendation, the 72-day fishing closure was reduced to 64 days, reflecting the healthy status of skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna stocks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). This first reduction since 2009 underscores the effectiveness of IATTC’s capacity and effort-based management system, which has successfully balanced conservation with the needs of responsible fisheries.

The purse seine fleet, which accounts for 97% of EPO catches, continues to lead in sustainability efforts. The tuna fleet continues to contribute funding to various programmes, including enhanced port sampling, a new tagging initiative in addition to the existing and 100% observer coverage under the Agreement for the Protection and Conservation of Dolphins (AIDCP), ensure robust data collection and stock assessments. These contributions, financed through a per-cubic-meter fee, demonstrate the fleet’s commitment to science-driven management.

Another new measure, proposed by French Polynesia and supported by the fleet, makes it easier for vessels to track their FADs across borders and prevent stranding risks on Pacific islands. A landmark achievement was the launch of the International Alliance for the Recovery of FADs in the EPO, signed by four major tuna associations: ATA (American Tunaboat Association, USA), AGAC (Association of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels, Spain, member of Europêche), ATUNEC (Association of Tuna Vessels of Ecuador) and FIPESCA (International Fisheries Foundation, Panama). This initiative, backed by the MSC-certified purse seine fleet, will finance FAD recovery and stranding prevention projects, reinforcing the sector’s leadership in mitigating environmental impacts.

Unfortunately, the EU’s attempt to increase observer coverage, —aimed in part at levelling the playing field with the Asian longline fleets, whose vessels continue to fall short of minimum coverage requirements—has once again met strong opposition, particularly from China and Japan. . These countries have also refused to implement the shark fins policy, as the European fleet has been doing for 13 years.

“This session reflects years of effort from our fishermen to maintain tuna populations in optimal conditions and being able to have a sustainable way of life over time,” says Julio Morón.  Managing Director of OPAGAC/AGAC and representative of EUROPECHE during these meetings. “Fishermen are the stewards of the sea and the ones who, with initiatives with the creation of this Fund, show leadership and solutions for sustainable purse seine fisheries.”

Press contacts:

Anne-France Mattlet, Europêche Tuna Group Director | anne-france.mattlet@europeche.org

EP Press Release – IATTC

During the meeting, scientists also explained the process that led to two major evolutions in tuna RFMOs.

In September 2024, the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) informed that the TAC and catch limits adopted in 2019 for the bigeye tuna had achieved the recommended catch reductions z, noting that the 72-days FAD closure in the Atlantic was not efficient for bigeye tuna. The SCRS also noted that the yellowfin tuna stock, evaluated in 2014, was healthy, and recommended to maintain catches at around 125 000 metric tons. In the absence of a due allocation to ensure this catch level, the SCRS recommended a one-month full fishery (not only FAD) closure. Many countries, whose fleets operating under other gears than purse seine andwould have been affected by such a closure, opposed to follow this recommendation. Instead, the Commission adopted a 45-day closure on FADs for purse seiners only at its annual meeting in Cyprus (November 2024).[1]

In December 2024, the Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) indicated that Indian Ocean Yellowfin tuna was no longer in the red, its status being changed to green with 88% probability. Indian Ocean Yellowfin Tuna is now evaluated not to be overfished, or subject to overfishing.

Anne-France Mattlet, director of Europêche Tuna Group Director, indicates: “The Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stock’s healthy status is a very good news for the European tropical tuna fleet. The vessels have implemented hard catch reductions since 2016, without any compromise on their commitment to contribute to the IOTC science processes through the reporting of good quality data, including FAD echosounder buoys data which are key to better understand tuna stocks.” She adds that the whole Europêche Tuna Group “hopes that the IOTC will endorse the new results, adopting for this stock a management plan, rather than a recovery plan, at its 2025 Session”.

 Xavier Leduc, President of Europêche Tuna Group, underscores the value of such gatherings: “Through constructive dialogue and the transparent exchange of perspectives, scientists and representatives of the purse-seine industry have established a strong foundation of mutual understanding. These sector-science exchanges are a key step toward promoting the European responsible fishing model while, at the same time, calling for an equal regulatory treatment of all fleets.”

[1] See Europêche press release : ICCAT FAD Moratorium reduced in the Atlantic, tuna industry will now try to recover from economic impact

Press contacts:

Anne-France Mattlet, Europêche Tuna Group Director: +33 678116301 anne-france.mattlet@europeche.org

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: 32 489268107 daniel.voces@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Industry-science meeting

ICCAT’s Standing Committee for Research and Statistic (SCRS) could not demonstrate the moratorium’s effectiveness in protecting the bigeye tuna stock and concluded that no moratorium is necessary to maintain the species’ stock health, as the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and its distribution have proven sufficient. However, in the absence of an allocation for yellowfin tuna, the SCRS recommended maintaining a minimum 30-day closure, despite the fact that the recent yellowfin stock assessment indicates that the species is not overfished nor subject to overfishing.

The FAD moratorium has had serious socio-economic consequences, particularly for African canneries, with many, especially in Ivory Coast and Cabo Verde, forced to shut down. This has resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs in Africa, most of which were held by women who supported their families. The moratorium also led to the disappearance of half of the European purse seine fleet operating in ICCAT’s regulated waters. Two of which, operating solely in the Atlantic with no alternatives, were unable to continue. These businesses, which faced unfair competition from Asian interests, were key suppliers of tuna to the European Union.

Anne-France Mattlet, Director of European Tuna Group, indicates: “It is unfortunate that it took such severe socio-economic impact to prompt a reduction in a moratorium whose effectiveness remains unproven. While this decision comes too late for two European shipowners, who have already been forced to cease operations, we hope it will provide some relief to the remaining European tropical tuna purse seine fleet. We also see the European Union’s stand for science-based but also socio-economically proportionate measures as a good sign for the upcoming mandate of Commissioner Costas Kadis.”

After long discussions until the last minute, bigeye tuna catch limits were also agreed among all CPCs.

The Commission has continued its commitment to establishing management objectives and strategies for the three main tropical tuna species, as well as implementing management measures and procedures for North Atlantic swordfish which will ensure the continued sustainable exploitation of the stocks. Additionally, initial operational management goals were set for southern Atlantic albacore.

Europêche welcomes the entry into force of ICCAT’s recommendations on whale sharks and mobulid rays, marking an important step forward in shark conservation. However, despite strong support from European fleets, Europêche expresses deep disappointment over the opposition from China and Japan to recommendations aimed at ensuring the implementation of fins naturally attached policy.

Xavier Leduc, President of Europêche Tuna Group, also highlights the lack of improvement of control and compliance: “To ensure EU fleets are not subject to unfair competition and sustainable fishing practices, it is essential that third countries operating in ICCAT’s waters implement basic control, monitoring, and compliance measures. This includes a comprehensive list of operational vessels, increased observer coverage, and the establishment of a high sea’s inspection and boarding scheme. While we understand that the opposition from some Asian countries prevents from adopting such ICCAT measures, it may be time for the European Union to take stronger action by refusing access to its market to products from fleets that do not adhere to these fundamental measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.”

Press contacts:

Anne-France Mattlet, Europêche Tuna Group Director: anne-france.mattlet@europeche.org

EP Press Release – ICCAT 24th Special Meeting

The European fishing sector, represented by Europêche, unanimously condemns the practice of “finning” (cutting shark fins and throw mutilated bodies into the sea) by any fleet in the world. The EU fleet has never practiced finning, as evidenced by the fact that no EU fishing vessel has been sanctioned for this practice. Javier Garat, President of Europêche, declared, “In the European market, our consumers value, trade and eat the sharks’ meat. In fact, most of the revenue for the fleet comes from the selling of the meat and not the fins. Nothing is wasted”.  

According to Europêche, to guarantee the sustainable management of sharks, their fisheries are meticulously regulated by the EU and by UN bodies across all oceans. In international waters, blue shark caches represent more than 95% of the total shark landings. The latest scientific information shows that the population of this species is abundant and healthy in all oceans. Their fins are easily distinguishable, even separated from the body, due to its characteristic metallic blue coloration, the lack of spines at the base, and other factors. Therefore, fishery inspectors, and also traders, can easily make a visual identification.

As regards finning control, since 2013, the EU requires all sharks to be brought to port with their fins naturally attached. This rule must be respected by all EU fishing vessels operating across the world. According to the NGO community, the EU closed back then any loopholes in the EU system. In addition, once landed, the IUU policy requires national authorities to issue a catch certificate that accompanies the body of the shark and the fins up until the point that they reach the consumer. Furthermore, the widely ratified FAO Agreement on Port State Measures requires the verification and inspection of fishing vessels entering ports to ensure that they comply with the Law. 

On top of this, last year, the international community agreed to include nearly 100 species of sharks and rays under Appendix II of the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora (CITES). This will require an export permit, which will only be granted if the national authority verifies that: (i) the export is not detrimental to the survival of the species; and (ii) the specimens were not obtained in contravention of the national laws. 

Mr Garat concluded: “Our fishers have changed the way they operate to ensure the full traceability of shark fins. This has not been easy, and rather costly. We are certain that the new trade rules recently adopted by the international community will require further bureaucratic and economic efforts from the administrations and the sector. The Commission is therefore right in carrying out a fitness and data check before proposing new measures. Banning a perfectly legal and sustainable economic activity in Europe, would only cause financial losses to our companies and would deteriorate the situation in Asian markets.”  

Since 2019, the sector has been developing a fisheries improvement programme with a focus on swordfish and blue shark. This shows a clear commitment from the sector to improve science, mitigation techniques and increase fisheries observers on board with ultimate goal to obtain a MSC certification.

Press contacts:

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 489 26 81 07  daniel.voces@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Communication Shark Finning

After five years of tough negotiations, new fisheries control rules are hot off the press and MEPs will have to decide next week whether or not to endorse the text. The sector represented by Europêche and EAPO, finds positives in the text such as stronger provisions on traceability to ensure that imported and processed products have the same traceability requirements as EU produced seafood. Also, both organisations welcome the adoption of specific margins of tolerance for small-pelagic and tropical tuna species. These new rules will better account for the specificities of these fisheries when reporting their catches and will help to avoid unfair sanctions and penalty points they are receiving due to the impossibility of complying with previous generalist rules. The new text also strengthens the monitoring of recreational fisheries to better evaluate and control its impact on commercial fish stocks.

However, the regulation imposes burdensome and costly technological demands on fishers. The sector regrets that, rather than working to make the landing obligation workable, the common decision was to double down on enforcing and controlling an unapplicable piece of legislation. The mandatory roll-out of CCTV will not suddenly make the landing obligation regime workable nor will it prevent unwanted catches from reaching the fishing nets. Same rationale applies to the mandatory introduction of engine power monitoring devices for certain vessels.

In this context, Europêche and EAPO request clarity on the methodology to be used at EU and national level to implement these new digital tools, particularly on how the risk-based approach will work in practice. Likewise, industry representatives demand their involvement in the policy implementation process to ensure a pragmatic and feasible approach.

The challenge to ensure equal and harmonized implementation of the new rules and requirements across EU Member states is not clearly addressed in the new proposed regulation, and neither is the interoperability of the data systems and technologies that EU countries can use under the new regime.

When the new regulation is implemented in the EU, Europêche and EAPO call for the extension of these rules and devices (including CCTV and engine monitoring devices) to the non-EU fleets operating in EU waters, in line with the Regulation on Sustainable Management of External Fishing Fleets (See article 38.1 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2403), and to avoid any exemption to be granted under trade or fisheries agreements.

Similarly, in order to keep coherence between the internal and external dimension of the CFP, the EU should seek to implement these rules in international waters. For that purpose, the EU should use Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and fisheries agreements with third countries to try to level the playing field for all fleets.

The sector welcomes the harmonization of the enforcement regime but reminds the importance of having proportionality when it comes to sanctions to ensure that fishers do not pay the price twice.

Finally, EAPO and Europêche call for a level playing field when it comes to weighing plans, since the differences in implementation between Member States is detrimental to EU vessels landing in other member States.

Press contacts:

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 489 26 81 07 daniel.voces@europeche.org

Paul Thomas, Policy Officer of EAPO: +32 470 41 78 38 paul.thomas@eapo.com  

EP and EAPO Press Release – Control Regulation

The European fishing industry represented by Europêche urges the EU not to co-sign a Panama’s proposal to include blue shark in Appendix II of CITES. This country is seeking support from the international community to adopt trade restrictions for this and other shark species at the 19^th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Panama City, 14-25 November 2022). Furthermore, according to the sector, the proposal lacks both the necessary scientific and legal basis. Blue sharks are sufficiently protected and regulated to ensure its sustainable exploitation and legal trade, rendering unnecessary additional CITES measures.

The fishing sector recognises the work of CITES to ensure that the international trade does not threaten the survival of marine species. However, the sector notes with concern that some countries like Panama consider the need to heavily restrict the commercialization of blue sharks, just because there is a “visual resemblance” with other shark species which are protected.

Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche, declared: “Regardless of the fact that this approach completely disregards the good state, control and management of the stock, we are shocked to learn that a government is seriously considering restricting trade just because it looks like other sharks for the untrained eye. First, blue sharks, including their fins, have clearly distinguishable biological characteristics that can be verified by fisheries inspectors and DNA tests. Second, in the EU and many other parts of the world, the fins must remain attached to the body up until the place of landing. Once landed and then exported, governments issue a catch certificate that accompanies the fish up until it reaches the consumer.”

Europêche reminds that before taken a decision with an impact on commercial fish stocks, the EU is bound by the Common Fisheries Policy. This Regulation requires the EU to take decisions based on scientific advice, including a socio-economic impact assessment, and following consultation with the stakeholders. Regrettably, none of these steps have been taken so far.

Daniel Voces concluded: “The listing of blue shark in Appendix II of CITES, would bring about unnecessary red tape and adverse socio-economic effects to the fleet. The EU should instead put a stop to irrational and disproportionate proposals of dubious credibility. It should be reminded that the initiative comes from a country against which the European Commission has reissued for the second time a yellow card, warning that it is not doing enough to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.“

The EU sector has been working on a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP BLUES) since 2019, covering 90% of the EU blue shark catches. This project is the first of its kind in the world that includes the blue shark and monitors the status of the stocks, currently meeting high sustainability levels.

Abstract about blue sharks’ biology (BSH)

The biological characteristics of the species are not at all comparable to those of other species of the family or genera/species specifically named in the Panama proposal. The available scientific literature identifies BSH as the most abundant, most widely distributed, most fertile and fastest growing species of elasmobranchs, this species being one of the most tolerant to exploitation compared to other shark species, including to other species of its own family. Its reproductive strategy with average litters of about 30 individuals (but with levels of up to 60 individuals or more per litter) explains the success and high abundance of this species in different oceans, with a very wide geographic distribution.

The fin of the blue shark (Prionace glauca) is easily distinguishable, even separated from the body, due to its characteristic metallic blue coloration, because it lacks spines at the base of the fin and presents a typical indentation (keel) in the peduncle.

CITES, as any other responsible fisheries decision-making body, should analyse each species on a case-by-case basis, and not families. RFMOs such as ICCAT or IOTC, are better suited in this case to closely monitor the state and progress of blue shark stocks and to regulate the species accordingly.

Press contacts:

Rosalie Tukker, Policy Advisor of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48  rosalie.tukker@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Blue Shark CITES

Regarding yellowfin tuna, despite all the efforts from European Union and Seychelles, most of the objecting parties – Oman, India, Indonesia, Iran, Madagascar and Somalia, whose catches represent 40% of the IOTC yellowfin catches – did not join the efforts of others and still refuse to apply the reductions imposed by the management plan of 2021. No consensus was achieved either on skipjack tuna: “The European Union and Maldives had both proposed to limit the catches of skipjack to comply with the Harvest Control Rule adopted in 2021. However, while the EU made a step forward, increasing catch limitations on the main harvesters but alleviating the burden on least developed countries, Maldives made a step backward, proposing even more drastic reductions solely addressed to the EU fleet to relieve all other countries of any effort, including the eight other main harvesters. Too many contracting parties (CPCs) where unwilling to accept any limitation”, regretted Anne-France Mattlet, Europêche Tuna Group Director.

Similarly, the European Union proposal on fishing aggregated devices (FADs) would have been the most ambitious ever adopted in IOTC, allowing a better scientific analysis of the data transmitted by the buoys but unfortunately, no consensus was reached.

Those two major topics might be debated again in future intersession meetings. Other major improvement proposed to the monitoring and control system were not so lucky. EU proposals to establish an inspection scheme in the high sea and to improve mandatory statistical reporting requirements were firmly rejected. Anne-France Mattlet is confident: “We are convinced that the European Union and Seychelles’ teams will keep on proposing improvements on monitoring, control and surveillance issues and find a way to get support from other CPCs to address these major issues”.

Europêche Tuna Group appeals to the responsibility of the objecting countries on the interim rebuilding plan for Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna, to lift their objections, and look for compromises at the IOTC negotiation table.

Press contacts: 

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32 2 230 48 48 daniel.voces@europeche.org

Anne-France Mattlet, Europêche Tuna Group Director: anne-france.mattlet@europeche.org

EP Press Release – 26th Session of IOTC

As an analogy, let us imagine a driver that systematically ignores a red light, every day, for around thirty years. This traffic light was set by an authority to address an issue at a crossroads, including a video-camera to monitor compliance. While the driver is identified, no ticket is handed out. This authority believes that penalties do not help to bring change and simply calls the driver from time to time, to tap on the shoulder and encourage to do better next time. To no avail. At the same time, hundreds of cars crash to avoid hitting the non-compliant driver. To add injury to insult, the reckless driver is rewarded with a car insurance fee discount every year. One would think such a situation cannot happen in reality.

Nonetheless in the world of fishing, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a Resolution in 1991 calling upon all members of the international community to implement before 31 December 1992 a global moratorium on all large-scale pelagic drift net fishing on the world’s oceans and seas.[1] Despite the UN ban, in 2012, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) expressed concern that these gears were still widely used in both high seas and coastal waters of the Indian Ocean. As a consequence, the IOTC adopted a Resolution[2] that year, reinforced by another in 2017[3], setting the prohibition to use large-scale driftnets in the whole IOTC Area.  

In other words, long time ago the UN and the IOTC (a.k.a. the authorities) adopted a rule, setting a red light on the use of large pelagic drift nets. Regrettably, according to Europêche, in the Indian Ocean many of the countries that were supposed to stop by the red light, as our driver, never did, and even increased the use of drift nets or its size to over 30 km in length and more than 20 m in depth[4]. This happened because these countries were never penalized, as IOTC Member countries, and international authorities, preferred to use the tap on the shoulder approach rather than sanctioning such behavior. Furthermore, the IOTC rewarded some drift net fisheries with catch limits of yellowfin tuna since 2017 (discount on the car insurance fee), despite the existing gear ban and the fact those fisheries are poorly monitored, not even complying with the minimal IOTC requirements for observer programs or sampling in port.

Javier Garat, President of Europêche, declared: “One would expect things to go differently in 2021. Well, this is not the case. The IOTC will hold a Special Session between 7 and 12 March, with the focus put on the rebuilding of the stock of yellowfin tuna. The EU and Maldives have formally tabled proposals to the meeting. Despite the European Commission’s zero-tolerance approach towards IUU fishing, those proposals are still rewarding large pelagic drift net fisheries with catches of yellowfin tuna and solely tapping them on the shoulder through recommendations to improve gear configuration. Hence, after almost thirty years of non-compliance with international regulations, our reckless driver will continue business as usual, whereas all other fisheries are penalized with higher cuts, crashing their cars to compensate for that.” Mr Garat concluded: “We are talking about a gear banned by the EU since 2002 for migratory fisheries such as albacore, Bluefin tuna or swordfish. The EU must ensure coherence between the internal and external dimension of the CFP”.

Tuna-RFMOs have been criticized for not being able to enforce what they adopt. Unfortunately, in this case, Europêche must agree with that statement. The European fishing sector strongly believes it is high time for IOTC and other tuna-RFMOs to make drift net fisheries accountable for their actions, rather than rewarding them after thirty years of trespassing red lights. The next IOTC Special Session might represent a good opportunity for this body to start using the stick rather than the carrot. The EU should also consider to take market measures against IOTC countries not compliant with international rules. Otherwise, it may be too late for the yellowfin tuna stock to recover and for the protection of sensitive species, despite the efforts and cuts imposed on the European tuna fishing fleet.

[1] Resolution A/RES/46/215, Large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing and its impact on the living marine resources of the world’s oceans and seas

[2] Resolution 12/12

[3] Resolution 17/07

[4] Cetacean bycatch in Indian Ocean tuna gillnet fisheries (page 41)

Press contacts:

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche: +32.2.230.48.48 europeche@europeche.org

EP Press Release – IOTC Driftnets