Sustainable tuna fisheries
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Non-governmental organization (NGO)
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#OceanAction41452
Description
Among ISSFs many tuna and ocean conservation as well as seafood sustainability activities, were highlighting four here: (1) scientific research, including at sea, and technical reports; (2) anti-illegal, unregulated & unreported fishing (IUU) efforts; (3) tuna skippers workshops; and (4) biodegradable FAD design and testing.
(1) ISSF scientists and colleagues publish original ISSF marine-science and tuna-fishing research reports yearly, covering a range of topics; nearly 20 were published in 2016. One of our signature annual reports is the Status of the World Fisheries for Tunareport, which includes scientific assessments of 23 commercial tuna stocks worldwide, evaluates RFMO management effectiveness, and ranks tuna stocks based on Abundance, Exploitation/Management (i.e., fishing mortality), and Environmental Impact (i.e., bycatch) (http://iss-foundation.org/about-tuna/status-of-the-stocks/) View ISSF technical reports at http://iss-foundation.org/knowledge-tools/technical-and-meeting-reports/.
(2) To combat IUU, ISSF develops conservation measures that its participating tuna companies which represent about 75% of the global canned tuna market -- commit to comply with and be audited on, including (but not only) measures on not purchasing tuna from vessels that are not flagged to the relevant RFMO member or cooperating non-member or are on a tuna RFMO IUU list. (Read about our conservation measures at http://iss-foundation.org/knowledge-tools/publications-presentations/co….) In addition, weve helped make the use of IMO numbers permanent, unique vessel identifiers a more standard practice. We've supported pilots of electronic monitoring technology, which can help to detect IUU. We also created the ProActive Vessel Register database, which tracks how/if vessels are following best practices in tuna fishing; advocate for stronger RFMO governance; promote observer coverage, electronic monitoring and reporting, and other monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) tools.
(3) ISSF Skippers Workshops (http://iss-foundation.org/2016-issf-interactive-annual-report/#&panel1-…) bring skippers and other vessel crew/representatives together with marine scientists to share information and ideas. Workshops focus on handling-and-release techniques crew can use to mitigate bycatch of sharks, turtle, and other species in their fisheries. Offered at ports worldwide, ISSF workshops to date have reached more than 2,200 participants, and new locations (Portugal, China, Vietnam) were added in 2016.
(4) One 2016 skippers workshop focused on brainstorming designs for fish aggregating devices (FADs) made from natural, biodegradable materials, such as balsa and bamboo. Traditional FADs are made from durable materials like plastic, and they can damage reefs and pollute oceans. ISSF BFAD prototypes now are being tested at sea by tuna fleets. See http://iss-foundation.org/knowledge-tools/technical-and-meeting-reports… and http://marinesciencetoday.com/2017/05/02/designs-that-reduce-maritime-d… to learn more.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Contact Information
Susan Jackson, President, ISSF