Photo: Stockfile/FIS

EU Champions Indian Ocean Tuna Conservation: Landmark Skipjack Quota Secured

EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, April 24, 2025, 05:00 (GMT + 9)

At the recent IOTC meeting, the EU spearheaded crucial agreements, including the first-ever catch limits for all major tropical tunas and a significant retention ban for shortfin mako sharks.

Don’t Skip the Skipjack: EU Leads the Way in Indian Ocean Fisheries Management

La Réunion – The European Union has successfully driven the adoption of several crucial conservation measures at the recent meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), reinforcing its leading role in international fisheries management.

Big News for All Tropical Tuna

In a landmark achievement, specific binding catch limits have been established for all major tropical tuna species in the IOTC for the very first time. The agreement on catch limits for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and now skipjack tuna marks a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the tropical tuna fishery in the Indian Ocean.

For the first time in the Indian Ocean, skipjack tuna will also be subject to quotas. Following the introduction of management procedures for skipjack tuna in May 2024, IOTC members reached this significant agreement. Major fishing nations, including the EU, Indonesia, and the Maldives, will now adhere to their own binding catch limits, with the aim of maintaining the sustainability of this vital fishery for the foreseeable future.

Simultaneously, other countries seeking to develop their fisheries are encouraged to do so responsibly, with the goal of maintaining catches at sustainable levels before individual catch limits are allocated. This balanced approach not only safeguards the health of the tuna stock but also provides clarity and stability for fishing operators, enabling confident future planning.

This year’s IOTC meeting also brought improved prospects for bigeye tuna, thanks to a joint EU-Japan initiative to increase the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) by 15%, aligning with scientific recommendations. The EU’s consistent emphasis on respecting scientific advice and promoting precise catch limits has been instrumental in bringing this stock back to a sustainable status.

The European Union welcomed the positive signs of recovery in the yellowfin tuna stock. The latest stock assessment estimates that the species is no longer overfished or subject to overfishing. This positive development is a direct result of the rebuilding plan adopted by the IOTC in 2021, with the EU playing a pivotal role through significant reductions in its catches over the past five years.

While the IOTC’s Scientific Committee’s new stock assessment (2024) provided a more accurate understanding of the stock's health, the Committee also advised caution. It recommended postponing any substantial decisions regarding the stock's management and potential increases in catch levels until an additional review of existing data is conducted later this year. Consequently, the IOTC decided to defer any substantive decisions on the total allowable catch for yellowfin tuna until the next annual meeting.

Major Milestones for Sharks

As a key player within the IOTC, the EU reaffirmed its strong commitment to sustainable fisheries management and the protection of vulnerable species.

A significant achievement was the adoption of the EU's proposal to reduce the mortality of the shortfin mako shark through a retention ban. This new measure mandates the immediate release of all live specimens, thereby significantly lowering mortality rates. To prevent wasteful discarding practices, which offer no ecological benefits, the EU also ensured that the retention of dead specimens would still be permitted under the supervision of human or electronic observers who can verify the animal's condition.

Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus)

Furthermore, the EU actively collaborated with numerous other delegations and the broader ‘shark community’ to strengthen shark protection, leading to the adoption of a proposal that enhances conservation efforts for these vulnerable species.

Although the EU's proposal to introduce the ‘fins naturally attached’ principle did not achieve full adoption due to renewed opposition from some countries, important advancements were made in controlling and preventing the unacceptable practice of finning. The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to continue promoting the ‘fins naturally attached’ principle across the world's oceans to prevent illegal and unsustainable practices.

Background: The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is the regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) responsible for managing the fisheries of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas. Established in 1993 and entering into force in 1996, the IOTC is an intergovernmental organization comprising countries bordering the Indian Ocean and those with an interest in the region's tuna fisheries. Its objectives include promoting cooperation among members for the conservation and optimal utilization of tuna stocks and ensuring the establishment of sustainable fisheries. To achieve these goals, IOTC members convene annually to discuss and adopt conservation and management measures for tuna and tuna-like species.

The EU became a member of the IOTC in 1995. Other members include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Comoros, France (on behalf of its overseas territories), India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.

This year’s annual meeting, hosted by the EU, took place in La Réunion, France, from April 13 to 17, 2025. A record number of 26 proposals were submitted, with the EU introducing 11 of them. A total of 14 proposals were adopted.

Beyond the key measures detailed above, other significant proposals adopted included strengthened regulations on transhipment at sea and other control measures. Additionally, proposals were adopted to simplify and improve the IOTC's governance structure, manage fishing effort, implement the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, and task the IOTC's Scientific Committee (SC) with further work on the impacts of climate change on tuna stocks.

The EU, represented by the Commission, plays an active global role by participating in 18 RFMOs, making it a prominent actor in international ocean governance and the sustainability of international fisheries.

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