Your new post is loading...
U.S. leadership was instrumental in a landmark decision to adopt the first management procedure for Atlantic bluefin tuna at the 2022 annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. They also played a key role in new bycatch mitigation measures for sea turtles, and ICCAT’s first decision on the management of ICCAT fisheries. Held in Vale do Lobo, Portugal, November 14–21, ICCAT saw parties from around the world work together to find consensus on key fisheries management issues for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and protected species.
Preserving Critical Stocks: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Management Procedure Adopted
In a historic agreement, ICCAT adopted its first management procedure (MP) for both stocks of Atlantic bluefin tuna. An MP is an approach to fisheries management decision-making that applies a pre-agreed framework for actions, such as setting catch limits, designed to achieve specific objectives. These objectives could include meeting conservation obligations and providing stability in fisheries. This is the second MP adopted by ICCAT following years of hard work by ICCAT scientists and managers. This advancement will allow for more effective management of stocks in the face of identified uncertainties. The MP establishes annual total allowable catches for 2023 through 2025 for western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna. It includes a stable TAC of 2,726 metric tons for the western area.
