The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) has wrapped up its annual meeting in Cyprus, marking a mixture of progress and setbacks in fisheries management and conservation efforts.

One of the most significant developments was the adoption of a modernized fisheries management plan for North Atlantic swordfish, a move expected to promote the long-term sustainability of the fishery, said NGO the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The new plan, known as a harvest strategy, shifts the swordfish fishery away from annual quota negotiations to a science-based system that automatically adjusts catch limits based on the fishery's health. 

"This is the first non-tuna species to be managed under such a procedure, and it marks a significant step toward future-proofing ICCAt species health in a warming ocean," said Esther Wozniak, a manager for Pew's international fisheries project.

Despite this success, the meeting ended in a dramatic defeat for shark conservation efforts.

A proposal to strengthen ICCAT's ban on shark finning was blocked once again by Japan and China, despite support from over 80% of ICCAT parties. The proposal, which would require sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached, was backed by 42 co-sponsors, including the US, Belize, Brazil, Canada, and the EU. However, the proposal was thwarted in a rare vote called by Belize.

"We are exasperated that a strong, enforceable shark finning ban has once again been blocked by essentially two countries, despite overwhelming support and clear scientific advice," said Sonja Fordham, president of Shark Advocates International.

While the shark finning ban proposal was blocked, ICCAT adopted protections for several species of rays and sharks, including devil, manta rays, and whale sharks. The UK also secured a two-year ban on the retention of manta and devil rays, while the EU pushed for expanded protections for whale sharks and other vulnerable species in 2025.

In addition, ICCAT took steps toward integrating climate change into fisheries management, agreeing to begin work on an action plan to address the impact of warming oceans on fish populations.

The meeting also saw progress in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Atlantic.