Three years after the last in-person annual meeting, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) met in Vale do Lobo (Algarve, Portugal) to take important decisions on the regulation of ICCAT fisheries, including a novel management procedure for bluefin tuna - the first adopted harvest strategy in ICCAT history for this species, and a new conservation measure for South Atlantic shortfin mako shark. The Commission convened to evaluate the results of the 2022 work plan together with the current status of application of the regulatory measures in force and to establish the conservation and management measures for the future. In 2022, full scientific stock assessments were carried out for four species: eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), eastern and western skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Northeastern Atlantic porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus). In total, 13 new Recommendations and 4 Resolutions were adopted covering relevant issues on Atlantic tuna and tuna-like species conservation and fisheries management. 

 

 

ICCAT has for the first time in its history adopted a management procedure for Atlantic bluefin tuna. This novel measure, which is the result of the extensive collaboration among scientists, managers and stakeholders, should ensure long-term, sustainable and profitable fisheries of both the western stock and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock. The TAC set for the period 2023- 2025 was set as 2,726 and 40,570 metric tons for western and eastern Atlantic (and Mediterranean) stocks, respectively. 

 

Following the 2021 adopted measure for North Atlantic shortfin mako shark caught in association with ICCAT fisheries, this year ICCAT agreed a similar measure for South Atlantic shortfin mako starting in 2023, to end overfishing immediately and to gradually achieve biomass levels sufficient to support maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2070 with a probability ranging between 60 and 70% at least. The total annual fishing mortality was set to a maximum of 1,295 t until new scientific advice is provided to the Commission in 2024. 

 

 

New management measures were also agreed for both North and South Atlantic swordfish stocks. For the North Atlantic swordfish a rollover was agreed, and the TAC for 2023 was kept at the 2022 level (13,200 t), in accordance with SCRS advice. For the southern stock a TAC of 10,000 t was agreed for the period 2023-2026. 

 

Regarding albacore tuna, the Commission adopted a plan for Mediterranean albacore, which implements a 15-year rebuilding plan until 2036, that establishes a TAC of 2,500 t. In addition, ICCAT adopted catch limits for southern Atlantic albacore for the period 2023 to 2026, that includes a TAC of 28,000 t for the period 2023 to 2026. 

 

Albeit the extensive discussions regarding multi-annual conservation and management programme for tropical tunas, no progress was achieved. Therefore, an agreement was reached for a simple rollover of the current measures, which implies a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for bigeye tuna of 62,000 t for 2023 and the 72-day FAD fishing closure. The annual TAC for yellowfin will remain at 110,000 t. In addition, in order to reduce the fishing mortality of juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna, a 72-day fishing closure and the limitation on the use of FADs in 2023 were also kept. Finally, it was decided that an intersessional meeting of Panel 1 will be held in 2023 to review existing measures and, inter alia, develop catch limits and associated catch verification mechanisms for 2024. 

 

The Compliance Committee this year concentrated on some fundamental issues and adopted a Schedule of Actions for compliance issues in the future and also adopted a Recommendation on the use of the Integrated Online Management System. 

 

The ICCAT Chair, Mr. Ernesto Penas, in his final address, thanked all Contracting Parties for agreeing on a number of management and control measures for ICCAT fisheries, as well as to protect marine biodiversity, such as that to reduce the accidental catches of marine turtles. He also highlighted the adopted management procedure for Atlantic bluefin tuna, the new conservation measure for South Atlantic shortfin mako shark, as well as on the progress made on matters related to the fight against illegal fishing and the establishment of a joint surveillance and inspection schemes. However, he also mentioned that no consensus could be reached on the multiannual conservation and management programme for tropical tunas.

 

• WWF: 'A new era for the management of Atlantic bluefin tuna has started'