The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) has reduced the fish aggregating device (FAD) moratorium in the Atlantic from 72 to 45 days. 

This decision, made during ICCAT's 24th special meeting in Cyprus earlier this month, comes after five years of implementation that have had significant socio-economic impacts on the tuna industry, particularly in Europe and West Africa. 

The change, driven by the EU, Ivory Coast, and several Central American nations, follows a report by ICCAT's Standing Committee for Research and Statistics (SCRS), which concluded that the moratorium had not demonstrated sufficient effectiveness in protecting bigeye tuna stocks.

The SCRS emphasized that the existing total allowable catch (TAC) and its distribution were sufficient to maintain the health of tuna populations, making the moratorium unnecessary. Despite this, the SCRS recommended a minimum 30-day closure for yellowfin tuna, even though stock assessments indicate the species is not overfished.

However, for many in the tuna industry, this reduction comes too late.

The FAD moratorium had devastating effects on African canneries, particularly in Ivory Coast and Cabo Verde, where plant closures led to the loss of thousands of jobs, predominantly held by women. Meanwhile, the European purse seine fleet has been halved, with two key European vessels forced to cease operations, unable to compete with Asian interests in ICCAT's regulated waters.

Anne-France Mattlet, director of the Europeche Tuna Group, expressed her disappointment with the timing of the reduction, noting that while it might offer some relief to the remaining European tropical tuna purse seine fleet, "it was too late for some operators who had already been forced out of business."

"It is unfortunate that it took such severe socio-economic impacts to prompt a reduction in a moratorium whose effectiveness remains unproven," Mattlet said. 

ICCAT's 24th meeting also saw long discussions on bigeye tuna catch limits, with a final agreement reached among all contracting parties (CPCs). The decision on bigeye stocks, along with a moderate TAC increase for the French fleet, rewards European fleets' efforts to reduce their catches and improve stock health.

Despite these advancements, both Europeche and Orthongel, the French organization of frozen and frozen tuna producers, have expressed deep concerns over the lack of progress in control and compliance measures, which they argue continue to undermine the sustainable management of tuna stocks.

"To ensure EU fleets are not subject to unfair competition and sustainable fishing practices, it is essential that third countries operating in ICCAT's waters implement basic control, monitoring, and compliance measures. This includes a comprehensive list of operational vessels, increased observer coverage, and the establishment of a high sea's inspection and boarding scheme," said Xavier Leduc, president of Orthongel and Europeche Tuna Group.

"While we understand that the opposition from some Asian countries prevents from adopting such ICCAT measures, it may be time for the European Union to take stronger action by refusing access to its market to products from fleets that do not adhere to these fundamental measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing," he added.

Orthongel also highlighted the necessity of reinforcing control and compliance measures, noting that some fleets continue to exceed established catch limits without facing effective penalties. 

While the focus on FADs and tuna stocks dominated the discussions, both Europeche and Orthongel also welcomed ICCAT's advancements in shark conservation. The adoption of recommendations for whale sharks and mobulid rays marks a significant step forward in protecting these vulnerable species.

However, both groups expressed disappointment with China and Japan's opposition to proposals that would ensure the implementation of a "fins naturally attached" policy to reduce shark finning.