The United States secured several important fisheries management and conservation outcomes at the September 2026 annual meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Lisbon, Portugal. The agreements are intended to support U.S. fishing opportunities while advancing science-based management of Pacific fisheries.
One key outcome is an increase in Pacific bluefin tuna harvest opportunities for U.S. West Coast fishermen through new quota allocations that maintain established stock-rebuilding targets. The commission also adopted its first formal management procedure for Pacific bluefin tuna, establishing a more responsive framework intended to support productive, sustainable harvests over the long term.
Additional outcomes include progress toward accepting electronic monitoring data, a long-term research plan for dorado, and workshops to improve data collection and stock assessments for South Pacific swordfish and other billfish. Members also agreed to continue existing shark conservation measures designed to combat shark finning and develop a research plan to improve shark stock assessments.
For South Pacific albacore, the commission advanced work on research priorities and regional cooperation, including coordination with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Participants also encouraged broader involvement in efforts to track, retrieve, and remove fish aggregating devices that can affect vulnerable marine habitats.
Not all proposals reached consensus. The commission did not agree on new measures for tropical tunas, leaving the existing three-year management measure in place.
For West Coast seafood businesses, the Pacific bluefin tuna agreement is particularly significant because it creates additional harvest opportunities while retaining conservation objectives. The broader package also highlights the role of international cooperation, reliable fisheries data, and effective stock assessments in supporting the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of U.S. commercial fisheries.