French tropical tuna vessel operators’ group Orthongel has welcomed major advances in tropical tuna management in the Indian Ocean, and states that it looks forward to the return to a climate of cooperation and dialogue between the parties.
‘This plenary session was marked by the adoption, by a large majority, of catch limits for skipjack tuna (for the first time) and bigeye tuna, in line with scientific advice. These measures complement those already in place for yellowfin tuna, bringing the three main tropical tuna species in the Indian Ocean under quota regimes,’ an Orthongel representative stated.
‘These major resolutions concerning skipjack and bigeye tuna, and a return to a general climate of dialogue and cooperation between the CPCs. These decisions now provide IOTC with a comprehensive management framework for tropical tuna in the Indian Ocean.’
In addition, the new bigeye tuna quota allocation table, in application of the harvesting rules adopted in 2022, provides for a 15% quota increase for all fleets.
‘This measure offers a breath of fresh air to fleets such as Orthongel, which have made major efforts to restore the stock as quickly as possible,’ the group’s representative stated.
‘Finally, the calmer climate has enabled significant progress to be made on certain previously divisive issues, such as shark conservation.’
This progress still leaves other challenges to be addressed and Orthongel remains concerned about the persistence of unequal obligations and regulatory exemptions, which prevent the establishment of a level playing field and uniform control rules.
‘Finally, as expected, there has been no quota increase for yellowfin tuna despite the improvement in the stock endorsed by the Scientific Committee during its last assessment at the end of 2024, the IOTC preferring to focus on management measures and wait for confirmation of the stock’s recovery before deciding on a quota increase,’ Orthongel states.
‘This will be one of the issues at stake at the next session, scheduled to take place in the Maldives in May 2026.’
