Tuna Conservation and Management
School of tropical tunas.
U.S. harpoon fishermen hauling out a giant bluefin tuna. Photo Credit: Annabelle Murphy.
An international approach to the management of tunas and other highly migratory species, such as swordfish and marlins, is essential. These powerful fish swim across international boundaries; in some cases, dozens of nations can be fishing on the same stock.
The United States is a member of the following regional fisheries management organizations, which are responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and tuna-like stocks:
- International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
- Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)
- Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
Within these organizations, the United States promotes the long-term sustainability of fish stocks through science-based management while working to ensure that new measures are fair and equitable to U.S.stakeholders. Some of the most significant challenges include Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing; bycatch of marine species that are not targeted; and the need for stronger data collection, reporting, and enforcement programs outside U.S. waters.
For more information on tunas or tuna-like species, please contact Erika Carlsen (erika.carlsen@noaa.gov).
For information on the status of tuna and swordfish stocks, please visit FishWatch.
ICCAT Advisory Committee |