International efforts to save the Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) have borne their first tangible fruit. At a recent meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, countries agreed on a long-term harvesting strategy that takes into account both the recovery of the population and possible risks in the future.
Just ten years ago, the abundance of this species had fallen to a critical 2,6 % of its historical level because of overfishing. Thanks to the recovery plan adopted in 2017, the situation has improved markedly. Now the new strategy allows quotas to be increased slightly, but automatically lowers them at the first signs of a decline.
Importantly, the decision was taken on the basis of many years of research and takes into account the impact on the entire ecosystem. The Commission manages the stocks in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, while a joint working group with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission coordinates actions across the species' entire range.
However, not everything went smoothly. The countries failed to agree on a multi-species strategy for other tunas — bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack. These species are often caught together, and the absence of a unified mechanism for restrictions when the abundance of one of them declines remains a serious gap.
Representatives of non-governmental organizations note that predictable rules are important not only for nature but also for markets. Without them, confidence in the sustainability of supplies falls, and pressure on the stocks may grow again.
In addition, the meeting discussed issues of transparency and the fight against illegal fishing. Proposals to strengthen monitoring and oversight of vessel owners have not yet received support, although the need for such measures is obvious.
The success with the bluefin tuna shows that the joint efforts of states can change the situation for the better if they rely on science and build response mechanisms in advance. For other tuna species, such an agreement remains a matter for the future.
Coordination between regional fisheries management organizations remains the key to the long-term conservation of marine resources.
