High Seas Fisheries Management

A landmark 2021 report highlighted the specific threats faced by 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays. Sharp declines in populations over a 50-year period are attributed directly to an 18-fold increase in fishing pressure over the same timeframe. Now three-quarters of these species are classed as threatened.

Radical improvements in fisheries management are urgently needed to reverse the decline and put these species on a road to recovery.

Fisheries Management Works

Research on wide-ranging shark species has demonstrated the benefits of fisheries management. Where rigorously applied, shark populations can rebuild. But the importance of international agreements is vital.

A multi-national approach is needed. Seeking to create consistency between countries and in international waters. This is the driving force behind our oceanic programme.

How it Works

Regional Fisheries Management

Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) are international organisations that manage, conserve and protect high seas, straddling and highly migratory fish stocks. RFMOs are tasked with collecting fisheries statistics, assessing resources, making management decisions and monitoring activities. Some RFMOs have a purely advisory role. But most have management powers to set catch and fishing effort limits, technical measures, and control obligations.

There are  about 17 RFMOs covering various geographic areas, many of which overlap. The RFMOs are a subset of 50 or so Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs), the RFMOs distinguished by the capacity to make binding decisions.

Five are the so-called tuna RFMOs, which manage fisheries for tuna and other large species, including certain sharks.

Together, the five tuna RFMOs have responsibility for managing fisheries in approximately 91 percent of the world's oceans.

We are founder partners of the Shark League for the Atlantic and Mediterranean. This is an international coalition focused on Responsible Regional Conservation of Sharks & Rays through engagement with RFMO’s, primarily focused onn the Atlantic through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) . The Shark League’s goals are to secure:

• Shark and ray catch limits that align with scientific advice,

• Strict protections for endangered species, and

• Strong, enforceable bans on shark finning.

The Shark Trust has  observer status in the following RFMO’s. Enabling us to monitor, participate in meetings and influence decision-making.

• International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

• Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO)

• North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)

• General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

• Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

• Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

Through the Shark League partnership we also monitor and contribute to:

• Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)