IOTC – Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Agreed 2025 RFMO Advocacy Priorities

Adopt robust management measures that implement and fully allocate the catch limits set by the swordfish, skipjack and bigeye management procedures.

Set precautionary, science-based catch limits for yellowfin tuna, and relaunch the MSE process in order to adopt a management procedure in 2026.
Immediately increase observer coverage rates – human and electronic – for industrial tuna vessels from the current 5% requirement and adopt a timeline to reach 100% coverage.
Establish and fully allocate shortfin mako shark catch limits that result in rebuilding the stock within 10 years with at least a 60% probability.

NGO Tuna Forum RFMO Priorities for All Tuna RFMOs

View PDF of RFMO Priorities

Adopt and implement comprehensive, precautionary harvest strategies (management procedures) for tunas and other targeted stocks, including swordfish and blue sharks.
Require 100% observer coverage (human and/or electronic) for industrial tuna fishing vessels, including those engaged in at sea transshipment.
Strengthen at-sea transshipment measures to be 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 responses to non-compliance.
Require that fins remain naturally attached for all (i.e., fresh and frozen) sharks without exceptions, adopting the globally acknowledged best practice to prevent finning.
Establish and implement labor and safety standards for crew and observers on fishing vessels that are based on relevant international labor conventions.
Implement and strengthen measures to effectively minimize bycatch and fishing mortality of non-target, non-retained, and ETP species in line with NGO Tuna Forum’s Aligned Bycatch Mitigation Expectations.