Source: European Parliament
The new yellowfin tuna stock assessment was reviewed and adopted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Scientific Committee (SC) during its 2024 annual session.
It is the result of a rigorous process carried by a team of international scientists. Several problems were identified in the previous assessment models used as of 2015.
The SC requested an external review of the data and model configurations, which was carried out by experts from the United States, New Zealand and Norway.
The recommendations from this review were incorporated into the new assessment and all data provided by the different fleets (catch, effort, size frequency) were scrutinised by the SC.
The new model includes revisions that make it more robust and reliable, as tested through statistical diagnostic analyses. The main driver for the change in the stock status is the abundance index derived from the catch data of Asian longline fleets.
The index derived from the EU fleet was not used in the assessment, but it confirms the recovery of the stock. Other data (total catch reduction of 10% and size frequency) also point to a biomass increase.
This is good news for all fishers and a recognition of the rebuilding plan adopted in the IOTC and led by the EU. The management advice developed by the SC acknowledges that some uncertainties remain in the assessment and recommends a precautionary course of action.
The Commission reiterates its full confidence in the IOTC scientific process and the independence and integrity of scientists from all IOTC contracting parties working together.