WWF advises on 30% annual catch reduction in yellowfin tuna

Posted by Jordyn Johnson on 9 May 2023

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) asking the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to reduce their annual Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna catch by 30%. The IOTC and WWF are meeting in Mauritius between 8 and 12 May.

The annual Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna catch remains unsustainably high, despite the IOTC’s implementation of five interim plans since 2026. WWF’s Indian Ocean Tuna Manager Umair Shahid believes ‘this is partly due to the body’s rules of engagement, most notably the rule that allows any IOTC member to object to, and opt out of, any resolution within 120 days of the resolution being adopted.

‘Many parties come here to work in good faith to manage the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stock sustainably. But a few use their power to undermine resolutions aimed at rebuilding the stocks to healthy levels. It’s contrary to the  notion of cooperative fisheries management.’

Yellowfin tuna are currently facing collapse, having been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Ten years of inaction in rectifying overfishing has caused their populations to decline at an alarming rate.

The WWF, on the authority of the IOTC’s Scientific Committee report, is suggesting at the meeting that a 30% annual reduction will give the tuna population a 66% chance of recovery by 2030.

‘The conservation organisation will also ask members to commit to complying with IOTC resolutions and limit baseless objections to increase accountability and ensure healthy tuna stocks and oceans for future generations.’

Pictures: Getty Images

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