Tuna Conservation and Management

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.