EU Secures Key Sustainability Gains at Indian Ocean Tuna Summit

EU Claims Conservation Victory at IOTC as All Tropical Tuna Now Under Quota

La Réunion, 17 April 2025 — The European Union is claiming a major win for international fisheries governance following the conclusion of the 31st annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), where it led efforts to secure binding catch limits for all major tropical tuna species, including skipjack for the first time.

The agreement represents a landmark moment for sustainability in the Indian Ocean. Until now, skipjack tuna — a species critical to global tuna supply — had not been subject to catch quotas. That changed this year, as the IOTC adopted binding catch limits for yellowfin, bigeye, and now skipjack tuna, marking the first time all three tropical tuna species have been placed under direct catch control.

Under the new framework, key fishing powers including the EU, Indonesia, and the Maldives will each have their own quota for skipjack tuna. Countries seeking to develop their fleets have been encouraged to do so responsibly, with an emphasis on maintaining sustainability until formal limits are assigned.

“The adoption of these measures provides clarity and long-term certainty for the industry, while supporting science-based stock management,” said an EU spokesperson.

The summit also saw a 15% increase in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for bigeye tuna, in line with scientific advice, following a joint EU–Japan proposal. The EU emphasised its strict adherence to science and quota discipline as the key to bigeye’s recent recovery to sustainable levels.

On yellowfin tuna, the latest stock assessment showed that the species is no longer overfished or subject to overfishing — a result the EU attributes in part to its significant voluntary catch reductions over the past five years. However, in light of scientific advice urging caution, the IOTC postponed decisions on increasing the TAC until after a further review later this year.

Shark Protection Boosted, Despite Resistance to Full Fin Ban

The EU also celebrated a breakthrough in shark conservation, securing adoption of its proposal to reduce shortfin mako shark mortality through a mandatory release policy for all live specimens. Dead specimens may only be retained if their status is verified by onboard observers — a move aimed at preventing waste without incentivising catch.

Efforts to mandate that all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached met with resistance from several delegations, but the EU did secure incremental reforms to clamp down on illegal finning. It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing a full ban in future negotiations.

A Broader Agenda for Reform and Climate Action

This year’s IOTC meeting, hosted by the EU in La Réunion, saw record participation and the adoption of 14 out of 26 proposals, 11 of which were introduced by the EU. Alongside tuna and shark measures, the IOTC agreed on:

• New rules on transhipment at sea

• Control measures to strengthen compliance

• Action on the impact of climate change on tuna stocks

• Implementation of the BBNJ agreement

• Steps to simplify and modernise the organisation’s governance

The EU, which has been a member of the IOTC since 1995, is represented at the table by the European Commission and plays a leading role across 18 regional fisheries management organisations globally. Its performance at this year’s IOTC underscores its strategy to promote science-based, multilateral fisheries governance and enhance the sustainability of ocean resources beyond EU waters.