NGOs applaud ICCAT decisions – Several NGOs say they are satisfied with some of the measures decided by ICCAT, in particular for the bluefin tuna catch and for mako.
The Pew Charitable Trust has applauded ICCAT for adopting a modernized fisheries management plan for Atlantic bluefin tuna, noting that it is “one of the most valuable fish in the world”. The set of harvest control rules will establish a “management process that will use scientific data to inform managers of the amount of bluefin tuna that can be caught each year,” Pew explains. It will also allow ICCAT to make “reactive” decisions based on short-term needs, as well as proactive rules designed to ensure long-term sustainable fisheries. Furthermore, the organization points out that this model “displaces” the annual TAC negotiations, which are “often politicised” and have contributed to years of decline and overfishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna.
The organization Harvest Strategies highlighted that the implementation of a science-based management procedure for Atlantic bluefin tuna “will not only ensure the recovery of the east, but will also ensure that the western population reaches target levels”. According to the NGO, this is a “historic step towards the future of fisheries management, which would not have been possible without the strong support of ICCAT members in North Africa, particularly in Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Egypt, who have carried out a fundamental role in guaranteeing the conclusion of the process”.
The Shark League welcomes the fact that a shortfin catch limit has been established in the South Atlantic “to cover landings and mortality from discards” within the level recommended by scientists in 2019.
NGOs applaud ICCAT decisions
