Press Contact:Jo Benn, 202.247.5823, @JoBenn
In the absence of an overarching international governance system for regulating marine fisheries, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction, there exist a number of treaties, organizations and intergovernmental instruments that serve to manage fisheries.
Pew offers its science-based research and policy expertise in order to aid decision makers and relevant stakeholders in designing and adopting appropriate management mechanisms and policy decisions to ensure the conservation and long-term sustainability of marine resources, and the ocean.
Spotlight on the 2013 Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.
According to the Commission, the catch of the 16 tuna and tuna-like species covered by the IOTC Agreement have repeatedly exceeded one million tonnes since 1993. Tunas represent 85% of this total.
IOTC is also responsible for other fish species caught in tuna fisheries in its convention area, particularly sharks.
It is one of the five so-called tuna RFMOs which together have responsibility for managing fisheries in approximately 91 percent of the world’s oceans.
The 31 contracting parties (governments) to IOTC will meet at the 17th Session of the Commission on 6-10 May, 2013 in Mauritius. Learn more.
International Meetings:
In areas beyond national jurisdiction, the conservation and management of marine species are under the purview of a number of multilateral fora and legal instruments. These include the United Nations and its various organizations and processes, regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements, the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, and others. Learn more about these meetings below.
