The IATTC staff recommendations are science-backed suggestions offered by the technical experts of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. These recommendations are essential for making decisions about how tuna and other marine species are managed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Every year, these expert suggestions shape international rules on fishing practices, helping protect fish populations and ocean ecosystems.
They are not just technical advice. They are the building blocks of conservation. These recommendations tell countries what actions to take to keep tuna stocks healthy and to protect other ocean animals like sharks, turtles, and seabirds.
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Why IATTC Staff Recommendations Are Important
The IATTC staff recommendations are important because they help countries make smart choices about how much fish can be caught, where fishing should happen, and which methods should be used. They make sure that fishing does not harm the ocean or the animals that live in it.
These recommendations are based on real data. Scientists study fishing patterns, count how many fish are in the water, and check how many have been caught. They use that information to suggest rules that help keep the ocean balanced. If these rules are not followed, some fish species could become endangered or even disappear.
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The Current State of Tuna Stocks
One of the most important jobs of the IATTC staff is to check the health of tuna stocks. In 2024 and 2025, they looked at three major species: bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna. They used advanced tools and data to measure if fishing is happening at safe levels.
The staff found that these stocks are currently in good shape, but they also warned that things can change fast. They advised countries to keep fishing pressure within safe limits. If too many fish are caught too quickly, it could lead to long-term damage that takes years to fix.
To avoid that, the IATTC staff recommended sticking to the current rules on how much tuna can be caught each year. These rules are designed to give fish time to grow and reproduce.
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Key Measures Suggested in IATTC Staff Recommendations
Let’s look at the main suggestions the IATTC staff have made in 2025. These measures are all aimed at keeping tuna fishing sustainable:
Purse-Seine Fishery Closures
One of the main tools used to manage tuna fishing is the seasonal closure. The staff recommended continuing a 72-day fishing closure each year for large purse-seine vessels. This pause helps tuna stocks recover during important growth periods.
They also suggested a special type of closure called the “corralito.” This closure lasts 30 days and is meant to provide an extra buffer for bigeye tuna. While the impact is small, the staff said it still helps reduce pressure on the fish population.
Individual Vessel Thresholds (IVT)
To make sure that each vessel stays within its fair share, the IATTC staff recommendations included a system called Individual Vessel Thresholds. If a fishing vessel catches too much bigeye tuna, it may have to stop fishing for more days.
This system makes things fair and also encourages fishers to watch how much they are catching. It allows the rules to be tailored based on each vessel’s actions.
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Using Technology to Improve Monitoring
The IATTC staff also suggested using technology to track fishing activity more accurately. One example is the use of electronic monitoring systems on vessels. These systems help count the fish caught and track where and how fishing is done.
The staff also asked countries to share FAD (fish aggregating device) data, including GPS and acoustic information. This helps scientists understand how these devices affect tuna behavior and how to limit their impact.
Another major suggestion was to expand the Enhanced Monitoring Program (EMP). This program helps measure the exact number of tuna caught on different trips. It is an important tool to support the IVT system and make fishing more accurate and fair.
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Better Data for Sharks and Other Species
The IATTC staff highlighted that more data is needed for other marine animals too—not just tuna. These include sharks, rays, turtles, and seabirds that sometimes get caught by accident in fishing nets.
To solve this, the staff suggested that countries improve their sampling of these species. They also recommended new handling guidelines to reduce injury and increase survival rates for animals caught unintentionally. These best practices help reduce bycatch and protect ocean biodiversity.
The Role of Risk-Based Harvest Strategies
Another major focus of the IATTC staff recommendations was the development of a harvest strategy. This is a long-term plan that uses risk analysis to guide fishing levels.
One of the proposed targets was to maintain tuna populations at 30% of their unfished size. This gives the species enough space to recover even if conditions change. The IATTC staff emphasized that such targets are necessary to avoid sudden stock collapse.
They also recommended regular reviews to check if the strategy is working. If the data shows problems, then the fishing rules can be changed quickly.
Adapting to Climate Change
Climate change is a growing concern, even for ocean fisheries. The IATTC staff recommendations included a detailed plan for how tuna fishing should adapt to changing ocean temperatures, currents, and weather.
In 2025, the staff hosted their first climate-focused workshop. They laid out a roadmap for collecting data, building tools, and preparing fishers and managers to deal with climate risks.
Their advice included:
- Monitoring how tuna distribution changes with temperature.
- Building models to predict future changes.
- Creating rules that are flexible and can adapt over time.
By preparing early, the IATTC hopes to protect both fish populations and fishing communities from future shocks.
Summary Table of 2025 Staff Recommendations
| Category | Recommendation Summary |
|---|---|
| Tuna Fishing Limits | Maintain current catch limits and seasonal closures |
| Vessel Management | Continue IVT system to penalize overfishing by individual vessels |
| FAD Monitoring | Share buoy data; limit number of active FADs per vessel |
| Non-Tuna Species | Improve data collection for sharks, rays, turtles, and seabirds |
| Enhanced Monitoring Program | Continue through 2026 to monitor trip-level catch data |
| Harvest Strategy | Adopt 30% biomass target; use risk-based planning |
| Climate Readiness | Implement phased climate resilience workplan |
Why These Recommendations Work
The strength of the IATTC staff recommendations lies in their balance. They consider both science and the needs of the fishing industry. By using up-to-date data, the staff help countries make decisions that protect marine life while supporting economic stability.
Their step-by-step approach allows time for adjustment. Instead of big sudden changes, they suggest gradual improvements. This makes it easier for fishers, governments, and communities to adapt and succeed.
How You Can Support These Efforts
If you work in the fishing industry, you can support the IATTC’s mission by following the rules, reporting data honestly, and using best practices to reduce bycatch. If you are a policymaker, you can help by funding monitoring programs and enforcing the recommended measures.
Even if you are just a consumer, choosing sustainably sourced tuna helps support the goals of the IATTC. Every small action matters in protecting our oceans.
Final Thoughts
The IATTC staff recommendations are more than just advice. They are the tools that keep our oceans balanced and our fisheries productive. By combining science, monitoring, fair rules, and climate planning, they help ensure that future generations can enjoy the benefits of healthy oceans.
These recommendations will keep evolving as new data becomes available. With cooperation and commitment, countries can continue to fish responsibly and protect marine life at the same time.
