The European tuna freezers’ fleet hit hard by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission’s double standards

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)'s 28th session in Bangkok led to disappointing outcomes for European tuna freegers, who faced significant setbacks in efforts to improve transparency and data for scientific analysis. The commission's focus on FAD measures has been criticized as a diversion from addressing governance issues, stock management, and enforcement of monitoring, control, and surveillance, particularly in yellowfin and neritic tunas. European fleets have been negatively impacted by the commission's discriminatory policies regarding FADs and supply vessels, undermining the economic viability of EU purse seine fleets in the Indian Ocean. Despite some advancements in management measures for skipjack and a full FAD biodegradability calendar, the European tuna industry expresses dissatisfaction with the commission's approach and the influence of pole-and-line states, calling for science-based management practices to ensure a level playing field and the sustainable management of tuna stocks.