In a banner year for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, U.S. leadership led to several breakthrough outcomes, including new management measures for Atlantic tropical tunas and North Atlantic swordfish.
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) reached major agreements on sustainable fisheries management. Key outcomes include:
- Tropical Tunas: ICCAT adopted comprehensive conservation measures for bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna after years of challenging negotiations. These measures balance diverse global fisheries interests and ensure the U.S. maintains access while advancing strategies for future management.
- North Atlantic Swordfish: ICCAT implemented its first management procedure for this stock, setting catch limits through 2027 and reaffirming U.S. quotas at 3,907 tons. This milestone improves stability and conservation in fisheries management.
- Climate Change: A U.S.-led Plan of Action on Climate Change was adopted, ensuring climate considerations remain integral to ICCAT’s decision-making and fostering ongoing dialogue between scientists and managers.
- Safety and Oversight: ICCAT adopted U.S.-driven safety protocols for fishery observers and enhanced controls on transshipment activities, improving compliance and data collection.
The agreements highlight ICCAT’s commitment to sustainable, adaptive fisheries management and the effectiveness of multilateral collaboration.