Helping coastal states find their voice

Our policy work is centered around using the collective IPNLF voice to advocate for improved domestic and international management of global tuna fisheries. We aim to protect against overfishing, reduce bycatch of vulnerable species, and improve governance by strategically engaging IPNLF members in key national, regional, and multilateral negotiations.

National and International Developments

On a national level, we work closely with governments to help them understand the rules, regulations and international framework of fisheries and what these mean for their respective nations. We collaboratively create and execute projects to improve their alignment with international policy as well as work to improve their engagement with RFMOs. 

Our international work ranges from engaging with global initiatives like the UN Global Compact, the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Small Scale Fisheries, the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), and the UN Global CompactWe also participate in Intergovernmental fora, such as the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) where we have observer status which allows us to gain real insights and scope in taking a social sustainability approach to fisheries development.

“One-by-one tuna fisheries often lack the influence and resources to ensure their rights and needs are protected by decision-makers on both a local and global scale. For this reason, we work with fishery organisations and governments on regulations that ensure the conservation and responsible management of tunas, contributing to a fairer and healthier world.”

– Martin Purves, IPNLF Managing Director

 

RFMOs

As tuna species are highly migratory, management of tuna populations span wide geographical areas that are organised into Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, or ‘RFMOs’.

IPNLF actively participates at three of the five tuna RFMO’s; International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission’ (IOTC), and has observer status at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

A number of organisations provide recommendations to RFMOs on how policies should be implemented to ensure sustainable fisheries management. For example, the Outermost Regions Advisory Council (CCRUP) which is a recently formed regional EU stakeholder-led organisation that provides the European Commission and relevant EU countries with recommendations on fisheries management matters. Similarly, the Long Distance Advisory Council (LDAC), a group made up of more than 50 members from 12 EU coastal Member States who represent relevant stakeholders in and outside of the fisheries sector, provide advice to promote the sustainable use of fishing resources.

Policy decisions taken at RMFOs have wide reaching implications for companies sourcing tuna. If tuna stocks are poorly managed and overfished, this can result in public pressure for companies to respond through advocacy efforts or through adjusting their procurement decisions to source tuna from elsewhere. As an active participant in RFMO fisheries management discussions, IPNLF also acts as a key resource for many of our commercial members in terms of fully understanding the implications of policy outcomes, and subsequently offer a range of support in how best to respond though public communications or advocacy efforts. 

Please find recent RFMO policy documentation on the Resources page

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Policy Documents

IPNLF has influenced the production of many policies within the tuna fishing industry, to give small-scale fishermen a voice. Please find all recent RFMO policy documentation on the Resources page

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Read our latest policy news below:

 

IPNLF Position Statement ahead of the 28th Regular Meeting of ICCAT

IPNLF Position Statement ahead of the 28th Regular Meeting of ICCAT

IPNLF Position Statement: 3rd Intersessional meeting of ICCAT Panel 1

IPNLF Position Statement: 3rd Intersessional meeting of ICCAT Panel 1

Joint statement in conclusion of the 27th Session of the IOTC

Joint statement in conclusion of the 27th Session of the IOTC

IPNLF Position Statement 27th IOTC Commission Meeting, 8-12 May, 2023, Mauritius

IPNLF Position Statement 27th IOTC Commission Meeting, 8-12 May, 2023, Mauritius

Statement on the conclusion of the Sixth Special Session of the IOTC

Statement on the conclusion of the Sixth Special Session of the IOTC

100+ Organisations call on the EU to support effective management of destructive drifting-FADs to rebuild tuna stocks and protect our oceans

100+ Organisations call on the EU to support effective management of destructive drifting-FADs to rebuild tuna stocks and protect our oceans

IOTC Special Session on FADs – Joint Position Statement

IOTC Special Session on FADs – Joint Position Statement

IPNLF’s Annual Report 2021/22 has been published!

IPNLF Position Statement – WCPFC 19th Regular Session of the Commission

IPNLF Position Statement – WCPFC 19th Regular Session of the Commission

ICCAT Annual Session 2022 Closing Statement

ICCAT Annual Session 2022 Closing Statement

IPNLF Release Position Statement Ahead of Annual Session

IPNLF Release Position Statement Ahead of Annual Session

IPNLF Position Statement – Second Intersessional Meeting of ICCAT Panel 1 – Tropical tunas

IPNLF Position Statement – Second Intersessional Meeting of ICCAT Panel 1 – Tropical tunas

ICCAT Panel 1 – what’s next for Atlantic tropical tunas?

ICCAT Panel 1 – what’s next for Atlantic tropical tunas?

Leading conservation NGOs warns major seafood ecolabel is risking its reputation

Leading conservation NGOs warns major seafood ecolabel is risking its reputation

Joint Statement on the Conclusion of the 26th Session of the IOTC

Joint Statement on the Conclusion of the 26th Session of the IOTC

IPNLF IOTC Position Statement 2022

IPNLF IOTC Position Statement 2022

IPNLF Statement on WCPFC18 Annual Meeting

IPNLF Statement on WCPFC18 Annual Meeting

IPNLF Position Statement  18th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

IPNLF Position Statement 18th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

IOTC November Special Session – Joint Position Statement

IOTC November Special Session – Joint Position Statement

Small-scale tuna sector push for ‘polluter pays’ principle in Atlantic

Small-scale tuna sector push for ‘polluter pays’ principle in Atlantic

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