Advocating for Sustainability
Quite simply, what we need is a sensible management plan for the Atlantic bluefin tuna that doesn’t drive the species to extinction. By following sound science and reducing the capacity of industrial fleets, governments can avoid the demise of one of the most magnificent fish that swims the ocean.
The main body responsible for managing Atlantic bluefin tuna is the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The commission was formed in 1969 in response to fears that Atlantic bluefin tuna populations would crash.
Despite close to 40 years of ICCAT’s existence, populations have continued to decline. This is due to management problems caused by ICCAT and national governments.
After decades of decline and 12 years of intense lobby work and campaigning, WWF has been instrumental in getting ICCAT to reach measures including:
At their 18th annual meeting in Agadir, Morocco, from 12 to 19 November, 2012, the Contracting Parties to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will again determine management measures for a range of tunas and tuna-like species. WWF will be present to follow closely the issues related to the Atlantic bluefin tuna and influence decisions on fishing quotas that will engage the stocks for the next 3 years and the future of one of the biggest fishes worldwide.
WWF’s vision for the East Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery is that of a stock sustainably managed to the benefitof marine ecosystems, fisheries communities and consumers. Today we might be closer to this, something that would have seemed unthinkable only a few years ago. WWF calls on the responsibility of ICCAT CPCs and the fishing industry to build on this momentum and keep recovery ambitions high. Big achievements are long in the making but in only an instant can be lost.
Extend the current (2012) management measures, including the total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing seasons, to the period 2013-2015.
The main body responsible for managing Atlantic bluefin tuna is the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The commission was formed in 1969 in response to fears that Atlantic bluefin tuna populations would crash.
Despite close to 40 years of ICCAT’s existence, populations have continued to decline. This is due to management problems caused by ICCAT and national governments.
After decades of decline and 12 years of intense lobby work and campaigning, WWF has been instrumental in getting ICCAT to reach measures including:
- a decrease in quotas from 32,000 tonnes in 2006 to 12,900 tonnes in 2010
- a minimum landing size matching the size at maturity for the species
- an open season for purse seine fleets of just one month a year
- an ICCAT Regional Observer Programme (ROP)
- a Catch Documentation Scheme (the BCD)
- a fleet capacity reduction plan and a Scheme of Joint International Inspection
WWF asks of ICCAT 2012
At their 18th annual meeting in Agadir, Morocco, from 12 to 19 November, 2012, the Contracting Parties to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will again determine management measures for a range of tunas and tuna-like species. WWF will be present to follow closely the issues related to the Atlantic bluefin tuna and influence decisions on fishing quotas that will engage the stocks for the next 3 years and the future of one of the biggest fishes worldwide.WWF’s vision for the East Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery is that of a stock sustainably managed to the benefitof marine ecosystems, fisheries communities and consumers. Today we might be closer to this, something that would have seemed unthinkable only a few years ago. WWF calls on the responsibility of ICCAT CPCs and the fishing industry to build on this momentum and keep recovery ambitions high. Big achievements are long in the making but in only an instant can be lost.
Extend the current (2012) management measures, including the total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing seasons, to the period 2013-2015.
- Review and strengthen the current fishing capacity reduction plan to bring real catch capacity down to the level of fishing possibilities.
- Make it obligatory for tuna farms to record size at harvest of all individual fish and to submit the information to ICCAT SCRS for stock assessment purposes.
- Support the use of international trade data in scientific analyses and compliance assessments.
- Fully support ICCAT Atlantic Wide Research Program for Bluefin Tuna (GBYP) and SCRS to recover data and to develop new methods leading to a much more reliable stock assessment in 2015.
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What is ICCAT?
ICCAT stands for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna and currently has 42 member nations. Its primary responsibilities are to provide internationally coordinated research on the overall condition of highly migratory species in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and to recommend regulatory and management measures to maintain all highly migratory tunas and billfish at their most productive levels.
The Commission conducts annual meetings, usually in November or December, to analyze statistical data and recommend management measures. Scientific advice is provided by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS).
Member nations agreed to implement ICCAT recommendations domestically within six months; however they often do not.
The Commission conducts annual meetings, usually in November or December, to analyze statistical data and recommend management measures. Scientific advice is provided by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS).
Member nations agreed to implement ICCAT recommendations domestically within six months; however they often do not.
