IATTC – Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

Focus Ask – Electronic Monitoring (EM)

Adopt interim electronic monitoring program standards and allow EM to be used to achieve observer coverage requirements beginning in 2025.

Adopt a new, multi-year precautionary conservation measure for tropical tunas that is based on the latest scientific advice, as well as strengthened FAD management measures.
Establish and convene a scientist-manager dialogue group to advance management procedures and begin the bigeye management procedure, which is scheduled to be adopted in 2025.
Adopt effective measures to control catch of Southern Albacore and agree to cooperate with WCPFC to develop a stock-wide management procedure.
Adopt mandatory and science-based guidelines for avoidance, safe handling, and release of captured sharks and other non-target species as agreed to in Paragraph 12 of C-23-07.

Adopt and implement robust management procedures for tunas and other targeted stocks, including swordfish and blue sharks.
Require 100% observer coverage (human and/or electronic) in industrial tuna fisheries, including all those vessels engaged in at sea transshipment.
Adopt and/or strengthen at-sea transshipment measures in line with best practices, such as those recommended in the NGO Tuna Forum’s Aligned Guidance on At-Sea Transshipment.
Strengthen FAD management provisions to at least the level defined in the NGO Tuna Forum’s Aligned Guidance on FAD Management.
Strengthen compliance mechanisms to ensure RFMO processes are transparent and robust, members are held accountable for the implementation of all conservation management measures and data reporting requirements, and there are clear consequences for non-compliance.
Implement and strengthen bycatch mitigation measures to effectively minimize bycatch and proactively reduce fishing induced mortality of ETP species, non-target species and non-retained bycatch in line with NGO Tuna Forum’s Aligned Bycatch Mitigation Expectations.
Require fins naturally attached for ALL (i.e., fresh and frozen) sharks without exceptions, adopting the globally acknowledged best practice to prevent finning.
Establish recommendations for labor and safety standards for crew and observers on fishing vessels based on relevant international labor conventions.