Global Tuna Alliance executive director Daniel Suddaby wasn’t concealing his frustration at the IOTC’s failure to take action on yellowfin tuna at the 28th Indian Ocean Tuna Committee (IOTC) meeting.
‘Nine years of talk and no action, nine years of ignoring scientific advice. What will it take to drive change?’ he asked, as the meeting came to an end with a mixed bag of outcomes.
He commented that some steps have been taken in sustainable fishery management for skipjack and drifting fish aggregating device (dFAD) management, but the lack of consensus on yellowfin tuna catch reductions remains a deep concern.
‘This is despite persistent calls by GTA’s Partners and the WWF for a 30% reduction in yellowfin tuna catch to allow stock recovery, the IOTC has yet again failed to reach an agreement on this crucial issue,’ he said.
‘This yellowfin issue is serious,’ said, GTA advocacy lead Kerrie Robertson.
‘The stock is declining and continued inaction is a huge concern to GTA Partners, who are immensely frustrated, with many having already stopped sourcing yellowfin from the Indian Ocean. Our alliance will consider our actions as this situation cannot persist unchecked. We simply cannot achieve sustainability if the IOTC does not take action.’
The GTA acknowledged that the IOTC had made genuine progress on drifting fish aggregating device management and skipjack management improvements.
‘This is a very welcome, substantial reform to FAD management in the IOTC,’Kerrie Robertson said.
‘We will be seriously considering our next steps on this issue. Our Partners’ commitment to sustainable tuna sourcing does not waver, and we will continue to amplify their united voices calling for effective measures for adoption at the next IOTC session.’
