ISSF Conservation Measures
Updated April 30, 2024
Table of Contents
Preamble
Conservation Measures:
1) RFMO Support
1.1 Tuna RFMO Authorized Vessel Record
1.2 RFMO Participation
1.3 IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding2) Traceability & Data
2.1 Product Traceability
2.2 Quarterly Data Submission to RFMO
2.3 Product Labeling by Species and Area of Capture
2.4 Supply Chain Transparency, Audit, Reporting and Purchase Requirements
2.5 Transparency in Reporting Progress Against ISSF Five-Year Goal
3) Bycatch Mitigation and Best Practices
3.1 Sharks
3.1 (a) Shark-Finning Policy
3.1 (b) Prohibition of Transactions with Shark-Finning Vessels
3.1 (c) Prohibition of Transactions with Companies without a Public Policy Prohibiting
Shark Finning
3.2 Large-Scale Pelagic Driftnets Prohibition
3.3 Full Retention of Tunas – Purse Seine Vessels
3.4 Skipper Best Practices
3.5 Transactions with Vessels that Use Only Non-entangling FADs
3.6 Transactions with Vessels Implementing Best Practices for Sharks, Sea Turtles and Seabirds
3.7 Transactions with Vessels or Companies with Vessel-based FAD Management Policies
4) Monitoring, Control and Surveillance
4.1 Unique Vessel Identifiers – IMO
4.2 Purse Seine Unique Vessel Identifiers
4.3 (a) Observer Coverage
4.3 (b) Observer Coverage Exemption – WCPO Region
4.3 (b)(i) Observer Coverage Exemption – New Zealand Flag Purse Seine Vessels
4.3(b)(ii) Observer Coverage Exemption – Japan Flag Purse Seine Vessels Fishing North of 20°N
4.3(c) Observer Coverage – Grace Period for Electronic Monitoring Systems for Certain
Large-Scale Purse Seine Vessels
4.4 (a) Transshipment
4.4 (b) Transshipment Exemptions -- General
4.4 (b)(i) Transshipment Exemption – Papua New Guinea

4.4 (b)(ii) Transshipment Exemption - Philippines
4.4(c) Transshipment At Sea – Observer Coverage5) IUU
5.1 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
5.2 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Product Response

6) Capacity
6.1 Transaction Ban for Large-Scale Purse-Seine Vessels not Actively Fishing for Tuna as ofDecember 31, 2012
6.2(a) Requirements for Inclusion in Record of Large-Scale Purse Seine Vessels Fishing For
Tropical Tunas
6.2(b) Record of Large-scale Purse Seine Vessels Special Arrangement – PNA
6.2(c) Investment in Purse Seine Vessels Subject to the PNA Special Arrangement
6.2(d) Investment in Purse Seine Vessels Not in Compliance with ISSF Conservation Measures
6.1 and 6.2(a)6.2(e) Purchases from Purse Seine Vessels in Fleets With Other Vessels Not in Compliance with
ISSF Conservation Measures 6.1 and 6.2(a)6.2 (f) Record of Large-scale Purse Seine Vessels Special Arrangement – Peru

7) ProActive Vessel Register
7.1(a) Controlled Vessels – Purse Seine and Supply and Tender
7.1(b) Controlled Vessels – Longline
7.2
Threshold Requirement for PVR Listing
7.3
Purchases from PVR Vessels – Purse Seine
7.4
Supply and Tender Vessels
7.5
Purchases from PVR Vessels – Longline
8) Miscellaneous
8.1 Exemption for Very Small Purse Seine Vessels
9) Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards
Preamble
ISSF is a global partnership among scientists, the tuna industry and the environmental nongovernmental community whose mission is to undertake science-based initiatives for the long-term
conservation and sustainable use of tuna stocks, reducing bycatch and promoting ecosystem health.
Since its inception, ISSF has adopted conservation measures and commitments to facilitate this mission
with the intent that processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in theseafood industry will follow them to facilitate real and continuous improvement across global tunastocks. ISSF Participating Companies commit to conform to these conservation measures to improve thelong-term health of tuna fisheries. This document will be updated as necessary.

Conservation Measures:
1) RFMO Support
1.1 Tuna RFMO Authorized Vessel Record
Adopted: May 18, 2010
Effective: May 3, 2011
Gear Type: All
Amended: May 3, 2011
Effective: July 1, 2022
Amended: November 14, 2011
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: April 14, 2021
Each tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) develops vessel registration requirements
and maintains a publicly available regional record of such tuna fishing vessels and carrier vessels
authorized to fish or receive fish in the Convention Area of that RFMO. A vessel may be included on therecord of authorized fishing vessels in multiple RFMOs simultaneously. Fishing or receiving fish by vessels
subject to listing but not listed as authorized by an RFMO diminishes the effectiveness of conservation andmanagement measures and the long-term sustainability of the resources being managed by increasing
traceability and transparency at a global level.
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shallrefrain from transactions in tuna caught by fishing vessels or received by carrier vessels that are not on theauthorized vessel record of the RFMO governing the ocean area in which the tuna was caught, at the time of
the fishing trip or transshipment event, so long as the vessel is subject to listing in the RFMO authorized
vessel record.

1.2 RFMO Participation
Adopted: October 26, 2011
Effective: March 27, 2019
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: March 27, 2019
ISSF recognizes that effective monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities within each RFMO isnecessary for appropriate management. In some regions, however, vessels flagged to nations that areneither members nor cooperating non-members of the relevant RFMO are fishing for tunas, and thus are
falling outside the purview of the RFMO management system. ISSF is committed to working to improve theperformance of RFMOs in adopting, and member governments in complying with and enforcing,conservation and management measures and RFMO obligations.
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shallconduct transactions only with those vessels that are flagged to a member or cooperating non-member ofthe relevant RFMO (or have applied with the RFMO for such status), or if membership is not possible,
flagged to an Invited Expert or another such designation established by the RFMO.

1.3 IOTC Yellowfin Tuna Rebuilding
Adopted: April 23, 2021
Effective: November 9, 2022
Amended: November 9, 2022

Gear Type: All

The IOTC Scientific Committee presented new management advice and probabilities to recover the yellowfin
stock in 2021 which suggested that the stock would recover to SSBMSY by 2030 (around 2 generation times)
with a 50% probability if catches are reduced by at least 22 % (i.e., down to 336,145 tons) relative to the2020 catch level (430,956 tons). Larger catch reductions could allow the stock to recover with a greater
probability. For example, a 30% reduction (i.e., down to 301,669 tons) relative to the 2020 catch level(430,956 tons) would have a 67% probability that the stock would recover to SSBMSY by 2030.
The IOTC has not taken sufficient action to effectively implement either the 2020 or 2021 IOTC ScientificCommittee advice. Further, compliance by some IOTC member nations with the existing and inadequate IOTC
Resolutions has not been sufficient.
In order to support the advice of the IOTC Scientific Committee and thereby increase the effectiveness of the
Indian Ocean yellowfin rebuilding plan currently contained in Resolution 21/01, and any further rebuilding
plans adopted by the IOTC, processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in theseafood industry annually purchasing in excess of 1,000 metric round tonnes shall commit to:
1. Reduce sourcing of Indian Ocean origin yellowfin by between 11% and 22%, calculated with respect
to the company’s average annual level of Indian Ocean yellowfin purchases from 2017-2019.
2. In deciding the level of reduction and its implementation, companies shall consider a flag State’s
degree of compliance with the rebuilding plan and degree of past catch reductions in support of therebuilding plan.
3. ISSF Participating Companies shall publish by 31 December 2022 a statement on its company website
describing its commitment and implementation plan, and by 1 April of every year after to address any
changes.

2) Traceability & Data Collection
2.1 Product Traceability
Adopted: July 21, 2009
Effective: January 1, 2010
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Adequate traceability records are necessary for enforcement and compliance with existing and futureconservation measures, and the successful elimination of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU)
fishing.

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall credibly trace tuna products, from capture to plate. The traceability procedure will record thename, flag and UVI (subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 and 4.2 below) of catcher andtransshipping vessels, fish species, ocean of capture corresponding to tuna RFMO area, fishing trip
dates, fishing gear employed, date the company took ownership of the fish and each species byweight.

2.2 Quarterly Data Submission to RFMO
Adopted: January 27, 2009
Effective: January 27, 2009
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: October 18, 2016
Amended: October 24, 2018
ISSF recognizes that the tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are responsible fortuna conservation and management with the objective to maintain the populations at levels ofabundance that can support the average maximum yield on a sustained basis. However, the scientificfindings of the RFMO scientific bodies depend on the completeness and accuracy of the supporting data
available to them. ISSF is committed to support the RFMOs to ensure that their findings and the data
underlying them are as accurate and complete as possible.
1. Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall submit the following data within their control to the appropriate RFMO scientific bodies:a) Round fish (includes gilled and gutted, and headed and gilled and gutted) unloading from
Fishing Vesseli. Name of fishing vessel
ii. Unique Vessel Identification Number (for example, IMO number) of fishing vesseliii. Gear typeiv. Flag State of fishing vesselv. Start date for unloading to processor
vi. End date for unloading to processorvii. RFMO area of subject catchviii. Fishing trip dates
ix. Weight of catch (in metric tons, by commercial species/size categories compiled as
specified in paragraph 2.
x. Unloading port
xi. Data source (unloading data, outturn report or immediate pre-processing).
b) Round fish (includes gilled and gutted) unloading from Carrier Vessel (Transshipments)
i. Name of carrier vessel
ii. Unique Vessel Identification Number (for example, IMO number) of carrier vesseliii. Flag State of carrier vessel
iv. Start date for unloading to processor
v. End date for unloading to processor
vi. Name(s) of catcher vessel(s)vii. Unique Vessel Identification Number(s) (for example, IMO number) ofcatcher vessel(s)viii. Flag state(s) of catcher vessel(s)ix. Date(s) of transfer of fish from catcher vessel(s) by vessel, and/or transfer fromprocessor(s) to carrier vessel
x. Locations of transfer(s) at sea [at sea coordinates/port name] by transfer
xi. Fishing trip dates
xii. Weight of catch (in metric tons, by commercial species/size categories by catcher
vessel(s) compiled from immediate pre-processing data as specified in paragraph 2.
xiii. Unloading port
xiv. Data source (unloading data, outturn report or immediate pre-processing).
2. Weight of catch (in metric tons) by commercial species/size categories should be compiled fromimmediate pre-processing data or from unloading data/outturn reports. The size classes shall reflectcommercial gradings used by the processor, with the following suggested minimum breakdowns:

•••Skipjack: <3 lb. (1.4 Kg); 3-4 lb. (1.4 -1.8 Kg); 4-7.5 lb.; >7.5 lb. (3.4 Kg). The category 3-4 lb.
can be combined with the <3 lb. category if not generally measured by the processor.
Yellowfin and bigeye: <4 lb. (1.8 Kg); 4-7.5 lb. (1.8-3.4 Kg); 7.5-20 lb. (3.4-9 Kg); > 20 lb. (9Kg). If used by the processor, the additional category 3-4 lb. (1.4-1.8 Kg) should be added.
Albacore: <4 Kg; 4.0-7.0 Kg; 7.0-10.0 Kg; >10 Kg.

Species separation for skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye should apply to all size breakdowns, unlesspractical considerations limit this separation in the smallest size classes (e.g., < 3 lb. or < 4 lb.), in whichcase the report should indicate the species mix.
3.
Submission of these data for each quarter shall be done by the last day of the following calendar
quarter. Submissions shall be done by electronic mail to the appropriate tRFMO scientific bodies whose
contact information is available by clicking this link. Starting with the reports corresponding to thefourth quarter of 2019, submissions shall use the format available by clicking this link.

2.3 Product Labeling by Species and Area of Capture
Adopted: October 18, 2016
Effective: January 1, 2018

Gear Type: All

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shallon all product labeling or through a publicly available web-based traceability system by product, for all
branded tuna products:
1.

Identify all species of tuna contained in the product; and2.

Identify ocean of capture for the tuna contained in the product.

3.

For an ISSF Participating Company, this measure applies only to the branded products of thatcompany.

4.

This measure will apply to all product labeling as of January 1, 2018.

2.4 Supply Chain Transparency, Audit, Reporting and Purchase Requirements
Adopted: October 17, 2017
Effective: November 9, 2022
Gear Type: All
Amended: May 31, 2018
Effective: April 19, 2023
Amended: October 24, 2018
Effective: November 8, 2023
Amended: March 27, 2019
Effective: April 30, 2024
Amended: October 23, 2019
Amended: October 28, 2020
Amended: July 27, 2021
Amended: November 9, 2022
Amended: April 19, 2023
Amended: November 8, 2023
Amended: April 30, 2024
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall:
1. For purchases from fish trading organizations that trade 10,000 tons or more of tuna annually(not directly from fishing vessels), purchase all round; gilled and gutted; or headed, gilled andgutted albacore, skipjack, yellowfin and/or bigeye tuna from:(a) ISSF Participating Companies; or(b) Companies designated by ISSF as Data Check Companies (as defined by the General
Provisions and Terms and Conditions for Data Check Companies) that have a publishedcompliance audit report with respect to ISSF Conservation Measures 2.2, 1.1, 4.1, 4.2, and5.1, as determined and reported by the ISSF external auditor.
2.

If purchasing from processing organizations that purchase and process more than 12,500 roundtons per year, purchase all frozen loins or processed, shelf-stable, canned or pouched productsof albacore, skipjack, yellowfin and/or bigeye tuna from:(a) ISSF Participating Companies; or(b) companies designated by ISSF as Data Check Companies (as defined by the General
Provisions and Terms and Conditions for Data Check Companies) that have a publishedcompliance audit report with respect to ISSF Conservation Measure 2.2, 1.1, 4.1, 4.2, and 5.1,
as determined and reported by the ISSF external auditor.

3. ISSF Participating Companies will be exempt from compliance with this measure until December
31, 2025 if they, publish annually before 15 March of each year:(a) the percentage of their purchases (measured in round ton equivalents) for each of thefollowing Fishery Source categories:–

Fisheries certified by the MSC–

Fisheries that have entered full assessment for MSC certification–

Fisheries in the MSC Fisheries In Transition to MSC (ITM) program–

Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed and have achieved progresswithin at least the past 24 months; or are in their initial year of listing–Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed but have not achieved progress inthe prior 24 months–

None of the above.

(b) the percentage of their purchases (measured in round ton equivalents) for each of thefollowing Supplier Source categories:––––

ISSF participating companies
Data Check Companies
Direct from vessels
None of the above(c) A statement of intent that includes a time-bound implementation plan to decreasepurchases from the “none of the above” categories in 3(a) and (b) above.

2.5 Transparency in Reporting Progress Against ISSF Five-Year Goal
Adopted: April 19, 2023
Effective: April 19, 2023
Gear Type: All
Amended: November 8, 2023
Effective: November 8, 2023
Amended: April 30, 2024
Effective: April 30, 2024
The ISSF 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, Continuously Improving Global Tuna Fishery Sustainability
sets out a five-year goal for completion at the end of the plan term:
By the end of 2027, all tuna fisheries from which ISSF participating companies source canmeet and maintain the MSC certification standard* or there is a clear roadmap andtimeline in place to meet this standard that is underpinned by the best-available science.
*ISSF will seek to achieve conformance with MSC’s then current performance indicators at
an 80 score level, which is sufficient
1. In order to track progress against this goal over the plan term, processors, traders, importers,
transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shall publish by March 15,2024 (representing tuna purchases for the prior calendar year), and update annually thereafter:(a) the percentage of their purchases (measured in round ton equivalents) for each of thefollowing Fishery Source categories:i.

Fisheries certified by the MSC

ii.

Fisheries that have entered full assessment for MSC certificationiii.

Fisheries in the MSC Fisheries In Transition to MSC (ITM) programiv.

Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed and have achieved progresswithin at least the past 24 months; or are in their initial year of listingv.

Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed but have not achieved
progress in the prior 24 monthsvi.

None of the above.

(b) a roadmap and timeline to increase the percentage of their purchases from fisheriescertified by the MSC(c) a roadmap and timeline to decrease the percentage of their purchases from
Comprehensive FIPs that have been publicly listed but have not achieved progress inmore than 24 months(d) a roadmap and timeline to decrease the percentage of their purchase from the “noneof the above” category
2. Disclosures made by ISSF Participating Companies under paragraph 1 of this Conservation
Measure will satisfy the disclosures required for the exemption in paragraph 3(a) of ISSF CM 2.4.
3. If ISSF Participating Companies voluntarily elect to publish additional purchase statistics using
information published for vessels on ISSF's Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) list,
the accuracy of such disclosures shall be verified by ISSF compliance auditors.

3) Bycatch Mitigation
3.1 Sharks“Shark finning” is the practice of retaining shark fins and discarding the remaining carcass while at sea.
Shark finning contravenes the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its International Planof Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, as well as the resolutions of a number ofother international marine bodies, all of which call for minimizing waste and discards. Shark finning has
also contributed to major uncertainties about the total biomass and species composition of sharkscaught. Tuna RFMOs restrict shark finning through a proviso that the weight of fins landed cannot
exceed 5% of the total shark catch on board. The fin-to-carcass ratio can vary considerably dependingon the species, the dressing of the carcass, and on the different ways fins are cut, therefore creating
difficulties in enforcement and accurate data collection.

3.1(a) Shark-Finning Policy
Adopted: January 23, 2012
Effective: June 1, 2012
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Effective: December 31, 2022
Amended: July 27, 2021
In light of the difficulties in enforcement and accurate data collection, all ISSF Participating
Companies shall establish and publish policies prohibiting shark finning and requiring sharks belanded with fins naturally attached, if retained. “Publish” for the purpose of this measure includes
posting the policy on the company’s public website. In the event a Participating Company does nothave a public website, the Participating Company shall make its policy otherwise available to thegeneral public.

3.1(b) Prohibition of Transactions with Shark-Finning Vessels
Adopted: January 23, 2012
Effective: September 1, 2012
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Effective: December 31, 2022
Amended: July 27, 2021
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall not conduct transactions with vessels that carry out shark finning and/or do not land all sharkswith fins naturally attached, if retained.
For the purpose of determining if a vessel is conducting shark finning and/or has not landed all
sharks with fins naturally attached, if retained, processors, traders, importers, transporters,
marketers and others involved in the seafood industry will rely upon the publicly available
conclusions of investigations conducted by the RFMOs or national governments.
After a period of 2 years from the date of the conclusion of the investigation, processors, traders,
importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry can resume

transactions with those vessels identified above, provided the vessels are not involved in further
incidents.

3.1(c) Prohibition of Transactions with Companies without a Public Policy Prohibiting Shark
Finning
Adopted: January 23, 2012
Effective: September 1, 2012
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Effective: December 31, 2022
Amended: July 27, 2021
Effective: April 19, 2023
Amended: April 6, 2022
Effective: November 8, 2023
Amended: April 19, 2023
Amended: November 8, 2023
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall not conduct transactions with companies that do not have a public policy prohibiting sharkfinning and requiring sharks be landed with fins naturally attached, if retained. For the purposes ofthis measure a policy is “public” if it is published on the company’s website or is otherwise available
to the general public.

Driftnets
3.2 Large-Scale Pelagic Driftnets Prohibition
Adopted: May 18, 2010
Effective: May 18, 2010
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Effective: July 27, 2021
Amended: July 27, 2021
Large-scale pelagic driftnets are an unselective method of fishing that results in substantial catches ofmany non-target species. ISSF supports the Resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly
44/225, 45/197 and 46/215 concerning large-scale pelagic driftnet fishing and its impact on theliving marine resources of the world’s oceans and seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas.
Therefore, processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafoodindustry shall refrain from transactions in tuna caught by large-scale pelagic driftnets regardless ofthe geographic area in which the tuna were caught by such driftnets.
Full Retention
3.3 Full Retention of Tunas
Adopted: June 7, 2011
Amended: September 12, 2012
Amended: April 25, 2013
Amended: October 21, 2014
Amended October 20, 2015

Effective: January 1, 2013

Gear Type: All Purse Seine

The dumping of less valuable tuna in favor of higher value catch distorts our understanding of theactual impact on the tuna stocks by fishing operations.
1.

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafoodindustry shall conduct transactions only with those purse seine vessels that retain all caught
tuna (skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye), except those unfit for human consumption, or when in
the final set of a trip, there is insufficient well space to accommodate all fish caught in that
set.

2.

For purposes of this measure, “unfit for human consumption” means fish that :(i) is meshed or crushed in the purse seine net; or(ii) is damaged due to shark or whale depredation; or(iii) has died and spoiled in the net where a gear failure has prevented both the normal
retrieval of the net and catch and efforts to release the fish alive.

3.

“Unfit for human consumption” does not include fish that: i. is considered undesirable interms of size, marketability, or species composition; or ii. is spoiled or contaminated as theresult of an act or omission of the crew of the fishing vessel.

Skippers
3.4 Skipper Best Practices
Adopted: June 7, 2011
Amended: September 12, 2012
Amended: April 25, 2013
Amended: May 20, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: July 27, 2021
Amended: November 8, 2023
Amended: April 30, 2024

Effective: July 27, 2021
- For purse seine vessels

Gear Type: All Purse Seine,
Longline

ISSF’s goal in developing and presenting best practice information is to share the state of the art in
responsible fishing operations, review the reporting requirements and other obligations to RFMOs,
and inform purse seine and longline vessel skippers and other interested parties about the related
ISSF Conservation Measures for the management of tuna and its larger marine ecosystem.
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall conduct transactions only with those purse seine and longline vessels whose skippers:(a) have attended an in-person and/or online ISSF Skippers Workshop; or(b) have attended an in-person Skippers Workshop conducted by a trainer that has been
accredited by ISSF to conduct these workshops; or(c) have viewed an ISSF Skippers Workshop video online; or(d) have reviewed the online ISSF Skippers Guidebook,.
All of the above provide information on best practices for purse seine and longline fishery
management.
Non-entangling FADs
3.5 Transactions with Vessels that Use Only Non-entangling FADs
Adopted: October 18, 2016
Effective: October 18, 2016
Gear Type: Purse Seine andAmended: May 31, 2018
Support Vessels
Scientific studies have shown that FADs, when constructed with materials such as loose old netting,can entangle vulnerable species such as sharks. While some RFMOs have adopted a transition fromtraditional FADs to non-entangling FADs, others have not. ISSF is committed to support a transition
to non-entangling FADs, globally.
1. Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafoodindustry shall conduct transactions only with those purse seine vessels whose owners havea public policy regarding the use of only non-entangling FADs. The policy should refer to the
ISSF Guide for Non-Entangling FADs and shall apply to all new FAD deployments, regardlessof the type of vessel that deploys the FADs.
2. For the purposes of this measure a policy is “public” if it is published on the company’s
website or is otherwise available to the general public.
3. For purposes of this measure, non-entangling FADs should meet the minimum specificationsin the ISSF Guide for Non-Entangling FADs. Vessel owners shall not deploy FADs that meetthe description of "highest entanglement" contained in the ISSF Guide.

3.6 Transactions with Vessels Implementing Best Practices for Sharks, Sea Turtles andSeabirds
Adopted: April 25, 2017
Amended: July 27, 2021

Effective: July 1, 2018
Effective: July 1, 2023

Amended: April 6, 2022
Amended: November 9, 2022

Effective: April 19, 2023

Amended: April 19, 2023

Effective: November 8, 2023

Gear Type: Large-Scale Longline
VesselsAmended: November 8, 2023
Some RFMOs have adopted requirements for the use of certain gear modifications, such as the use ofwhole finfish bait, circle hooks and monofilament lines, and/or handling techniques, and/or
prohibited the use of “shark lines,” in some longline tuna fisheries, while others have not. ISSF iscommitted to supporting a transition to the use of such techniques by longline vessels, globally.
To further support the implementation of existing RFMO conservation measures for bycatchmitigation in longline tuna fisheries, and to promote the appropriate use of such techniques bylongline fleets globally:
1. Processors, traders, importers, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shallconduct transactions only with those longline vessels whose owners have a public policy
requiring the implementation of the following best practices for sharks, seabirds and marine
turtles:(a) the use of circle hooks and only monofilament lines (e.g., the use of wire trace isprohibited);(b) the use of whole finfish bait;(c) implementation by the crew of best practice handling techniques for sharks,
seabirds and marine turtles, such as those outlined in the ISSF Skippers’ Guidebook to
Sustainable Longline Fishing Practices; and(d) No use of “shark lines” at any time.
2. For the purposes of this measure, a large-scale longline vessel is defined as a vessel that is equal
to or greater than 20m length overall (LOA).

3.7 Transactions with Vessels or Companies with Vessel-based FAD Management Policies
Adopted: October 23, 2019
Amended: July 27, 2021
Amended: April 6, 2022

Effective: June 30, 2021 for largescale purse seine and supply vessels
and December 31, 2021 for smallscale purse seine vessels.
Effective: April 19, 2023

Amended: April 19, 2023
Effective: November 8, 2023
Amended: November 8, 2023

Gear Type: Purse Seine andSupply Vessels

ISSF is committed to supporting better FAD management, globally, and recognizes that it is an importantcomponent to meet the MSC Standard without conditions. To further support the implementation of existing
RFMO conservation measures and recommendations for FAD data collection and reporting and the use of nonentangling FAD designs that do not use any netting in any components, including both the raft and the tail, andthe use of biodegradable FAD designs that are also fully non-entangling, and to promote the development andimplementation of FAD recovery policies, strategies to mitigate shark bycatch in purse seine tuna fisheries andthe voluntary provision of FAD buoy data to strengthen FAD management:
1. Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shallconduct transactions only with those purse seine vessels whose owners develop and make public FAD
Management Policies that include the activities purse seine and supply vessels are undertaking (if any) on thefollowing elements:a) Comply with flag state and RFMO reporting requirements for fisheries statistics by set type;b) Report additional FAD buoy data (FAD daily position data and echosounder acoustic records) for use by
RFMO science bodies;c) Support science-based limits on the overall number of FADs used per vessel and/or FAD sets made;d) Use only non-entangling FADs to reduce ghost fishing;e) Mitigate other environmental impacts due to FAD loss including through the use of biodegradable FADs
and FAD recovery policies;f) For silky sharks (the main bycatch issue in FAD sets) implement further mitigation efforts.
2. In developing a FAD Management Policy, purse seine vessels and purse seine vessel owning companies shouldrefer to ISSF Technical Paper 2019-11 (or any subsequent revision) in designing the activities for each element.
3. With respect to the element on mitigating other environmental impacts due to FAD loss (item e above), by 1
January 2023, public FAD Management Policies developed under this measure shall include a statement thatpurse seine vessels and supply vessels covered by the policy are participating in trials of biodegradable FAD
designs and/or FAD recovery programs that include the participation of the relevant RFMO science bodies
and/or coastal States, national scientists, and/or ISSF scientists to monitor experimental design.
4. With respect to the element on the use of only non-entangling FADs (item d above), no later than 1 April 2025,
public FAD management policies developed under this measure shall include a statement that purse seine
vessels and supply vessels covered by the policy will from this date only deploy or redeploy (i.e., will be placed in
the water) fully non-entangling FADs, without any netting in any components, including both the raft and the tail.
From 1 April 2025, where practicable, the purse seine vessels and supply vessels should retrieve any
encountered pre-existing non-fully NEFAD (whether a set is done or not) which is not in compliance with thismeasure.
5. With respect to the element on reporting additional FAD buoy daily position data for use by RFMO sciencebodies (item b above), by 1 January 2023, public FAD Management Policies developed under this measure shall
include a statement that purse seine vessels and supply vessels covered by the policy are reporting FAD position
data to the relevant RFMO science bodies and/or national scientific institutions and/or its flag State, with amaximum time lag of 90 days. Data submissions must include the vessel name and IMO number (if available).
Deployments should be identified in the data submissions when possible. In the event that purse seine vessels
and supply vessels covered by the policy report these data to national scientific institutions and/or its flag State,they shall document that they requested that these data be made available to the relevant RFMO for scientificpurposes.
6. With respect to the element on reporting additional FAD buoy echosounder acoustic biomass data for use by
RFMO science bodies (item b above), by 1 April 2024, public FAD Management Policies developed under thismeasure shall include a statement that purse seine vessels and supply vessels covered by the policy arereporting FAD echosounder biomass data to the relevant RFMO science bodies and/or national scientificinstitutions and/or its flag State, with a maximum time lag of 90 days. Data submissions must include the vessel
name and IMO number (if available). In the event that purse seine vessels and supply vessels covered by thepolicy report these data to national scientific institutions and/or its flag State, they shall document that they
requested that these data be made available to the relevant RFMO for scientific purposes.
7. For purposes of this measure, a policy is “public” if it is published on the owner or company’s website or isotherwise available to the general public.
8. For purposes of this measure, a large-scale purse seine vessel is defined as those with at least 335 m3 of fish
hold volume.
9. ISSF CM 3.5 is repealed and replaced by this measure as of 1 April 2025.

4) Monitoring, Control and Surveillance
4.1 Unique Vessel Identifiers – IMO
Adopted: May 18, 2010
Effective: May 31, 2011
Gear Type: All
Amended: May 3, 2011
Amended: November 14, 2011
Amended: October 20, 2015
The IHS-Fairplay administered International Maritime Organization numbering system (IMO
number) provides a mechanism and registry for the unique identification and registration of vessels,
which increases traceability and transparency at a global level.
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall refrain from transactions in tuna caught by vessels subject to listing in the RFMO authorized
vessel record and capable of being registered by IMO, that have not registered with IMO and thus
have not received an IMO number unique vessel identifier.

4.2 Purse Seine Unique Vessel Identifiers
Adopted: June 7, 2011
Amended: September 12, 2012
Amended: April 25, 2013
Amended: May 20, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: May 31, 2018

Effective: January 1, 2013

Gear Type: All Purse Seine

If IMO requirements do not provide for a particular vessel to receive an IMO UVI for reasons otherthan vessel size, the vessel shall obtain a TUVI from the Consolidated List of Authorized Vessels(CLAV) or a UVI from ISSF. If IMO requirements do not provide for a particular vessel to receive an
IMO UVI due to vessel size, such vessels do not need to obtain a TUVI from the CLAV or a UVI fromISSF.

4.3(a) Observer Coverage
Adopted: June 7, 2011
Effective: January 1, 2013
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Amended: September 12, 2012
Seine
Amended: April 25, 2013
Amended: May 20, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
All tuna RFMOs are already collecting or receiving some data through observer programs or fishinglogbooks, and these efforts must be made more comprehensive in order to properly assess the impact
of FAD fisheries and other activities.
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall conduct transactions only with those large-scale purse seine vessels that have 100% observer
coverage (human or electronic if proven to be effective) on every fishing trip and observing every
fishing operation, unless prevented by force majeure conditions in a particular region. Force majeure
is an event or effect, both acts of nature and acts of people that can be neither anticipated nor
controlled, such as floods, hurricanes, riots, strikes or wars.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

4.3(b) Observer Coverage Exemption – WCPO Region
Adopted: June 7, 2011
Effective: April 20, 2015
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Amended: September 12, 2012
Seine
Amended: April 25, 2013
Amended: May 20, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
Exemptions may be made for large-scale purse seine vessels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean
fishing in latitudes higher than 20°N/S in cases where the catch (retained and discarded; target andnon-target) is adequately sampled and reported to the RFMO. Such exemptions shall be based on adetailed report that will be reviewed and approved by the ISSF Board and announced publicly
through the ISSF website.

For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

4.3(b)(i) Observer Coverage Exemption – New Zealand Flag Purse Seine Vessels
Adopted: April 20, 2015
Amended: October 20, 2015

Effective: April 20, 2015

Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Seine

An exemption is granted for tuna caught by New Zealand flag purse seine vessels that operate only
within New Zealand waters targeting free school skipjack during the summer season (approximately
between January and April each year). These vessels are subjected to less than 100% observer
coverage by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries but are adequately monitored andmanaged and their catch and effort data are provided to SPC and WCPFC.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.
4.3(b)(ii) Observer Coverage Exemption – Japan Flag Purse Seine Vessels Fishing North of 20°N
Adopted: October 28, 2020
Effective: October 28, 2020
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Seine
An exemption is granted for tuna caught by Japan flag large-scale purse seine vessels that are on the ISSF
Proactive Vessel Record (PVR) and operate north of 20°N, provided that:
1. Each year, vessels wishing to qualify for this exemption notify ISSF about the months when they plan
to be fishing north of 20°N. If the exemption is granted to them, it will only cover these months.
2. Within one month after the end of each fishing trip, the vessel-owning company sends a trip catch
report for each vessel covered under this exemption to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC, thescience provider to WCPFC).
3. The trip catch reports in paragraph 1 must consist of the two data sets below, in a format agreed by
SPC:i) Set-by-set estimated catches and discards for target tunas (Albacore, Bigeye, Yellowfin and
Skipjack) and non-target species (e.g., sharks, turtles, yellowtail). The set-by-set information
shall indicate fishing day, time of set, latitude and longitude, and school type.
ii) Final Outturn Data (FOT). These are total trip catches by target species and size categories,
corrected with sampling data. The size break downs shall be <1.8 Kg, 1.8-3.5 Kg, 3.5-10.0 Kg and>10.0 Kg.
4. For the purpose of verifying compliance with this measure, ISSF will contact SPC quarterly todetermine which vessels are submitting the reports in paragraph 3. Vessels that have not submitted

complete reports for the past three months according to their fishing plan in paragraph 1 will no longer
qualify for this exemption.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish holdvolume.

4.3(c) Observer Coverage – Grace Period for Electronic Monitoring Systems for Certain LargeScale Purse Seine Vessels
Adopted: May 22, 2016

Effective: May 22, 2016

Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Seine
ISSF has defined for its Conservation Measures that large-scale purse seine vessels are those with atleast 335 m3 fish hold volume. However, certain vessels who meet this definition are not consideredlarge-scale in certain RFMOs and therefore are unable to obtain human observers for each fishing trip
as a means to meet the requirements of ISSF Conservation Measure 4.3(a). Owners of large-scale
purse seine vessels who fit in this category may seek to install an electronic monitoring system (ifproven to be effective) in lieu of human observers. In such an event, the following provisions apply:
1. The vessel owner must identify each vessel involved and provide satisfactory evidence of an
executed agreement with a service provider to install an electronic monitoring system oneach vessel.
2. Once such evidence has been determined to be satisfactory, the vessel will be deemed to be incompliance with this measure for a period of six (6) months, which will allow appropriate
time for installation of and training on the electronic monitoring system.
3. The vessel owner must provide satisfactory proof that the equipment has been installed andis operating within that time period; in the event that such proof is not provided within grace
period, the vessel will return to a non-compliant status with ISSF Conservation Measure
4.3(a).

4.4(a) Transshipment
Adopted: June 7, 2011
Effective: January 1, 2012
Gear Type: All Purse Seine
Amended: September 12, 2012
Amended: April 25, 2013
Amended: October 21, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
At-sea transshipments, if not properly monitored, can complicate the transmission of data, thetraceability of product and can create a fertile environment for illegal, unreported and unregulated
fishing activities.

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall conduct transactions only with those purse seine vessels that do not engage in transshipments
at sea, whether high seas, EEZ, territorial seas or archipelagic waters.

4.4 (b) Transshipment Exemptions – General
Adopted: February 1, 2013
Effective: February 1, 2013
Amended: October 20, 2015

Gear Type: All Purse Seine

Exemptions will be made in cases where the at-sea transshipments are authorized (as necessary,by all of the following: the vessel’s flag state, by the coastal state where the transshipment took
place, and by the relevant RFMO) and the transshipped catch is adequately sampled according to
the RFMO science provider. Such exemptions shall be based on a detailed report that will be
reviewed and approved by the ISSF Board and announced publicly through the ISSF website.
4.4 (b)(i) Transshipment Exemption - Papua New Guinea
Adopted: February 1, 2013
Effective: February 1, 2013
Amended: October 20, 2015

Gear Type: All Purse Seine

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
may conduct transactions with those purse seine vessels that engage in transshipments inarchipelagic waters of Papua New Guinea. This exemption applies only to:•••

Vessels with carrying capacity ≤ 600mt; andthat fish only in the archipelagic waters of PNG; andthat are based in PNG and are associated with processing facilities in PNG.

The above vessels are allowed to transship on to carrier vessels that must go to a PNG port for either
offloading or for transshipping in port under strict monitoring controls. These carrier vessels are notallowed to take the catch directly from PNG archipelagic waters to a foreign port.
Under PNG regulations, the vessels shall operate under the following conditions:
1. Prior notification of transshipment is sent to the PNG National Fisheries Authority(information on the catcher and carrier vessels, date and time of transshipment, andquantities by species).
2. One hundred percent observer coverage on the catcher vessel. The observer verifies thetransshipment details.
3. VMS coverage on both the carrier and catcher vessels.
4. A Freezer Vessel’s Fish Origin Declaration Form (with details about the date, place oftransshipment and fish quantities) is filled by the carrier vessel for each transshipment, withthe forms being submitted to the National Fisheries Authority. The form requires

signatures/verification from officers in the catcher and carrier vessel as well as PNG port
authorities.
4.4 (b)(ii) Transshipment Exemption - Philippines
Adopted: April 6, 2022
Effective: April 6, 2022

Gear Type: All Purse Seine

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
may conduct transactions with those Philippine-flagged purse seiners that engage in transshipmentsin the WCPFC High Seas Pocket no. 1. This exemption applies only to:•••

Purse seine catcher vessels with carrying capacity ≤ 600mt; andthat fish and transship only in High Seas Pocket no. 1 and are allowed to do so by the WCPFC;
andthat are based in Philippines and are associated with processing facilities in Philippines.

The above vessels are allowed to transship on to carrier vessels that must go to a Philippines port
operated by the Philippines Fisheries Development Authority for either offloading or fortransshipping in port under strict monitoring controls. These carrier vessels are not allowed to takethe catch directly from High Seas Pocket no. 1 waters to a port outside the Philippines.
Under Philippines regulations, the catcher and carrier vessels shall operate under the following
conditions:
5. Notification of transshipment is sent to the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) (information on the catcher and carrier vessels, date and time oftransshipment, and quantities by species).
6. One hundred percent observer coverage on both the catcher and, in compliance with the
WCPFC CMM on transshipment, the receiving vessels. The observers verify the transshipment
details.
7. VMS coverage on both the carrier and catcher vessels.
8. A Captain/Mate's Transfer Certificate (with details about the date, place of transshipment andfish quantities) is completed by the carrier vessel for each transshipment, with the certificatesbeing submitted to the BFAR and the data reported to the WCPFC. The form requires
signatures/verification from the captains/masters on both the catcher and carrier vessels aswell as the observer/inspector on board.
For the purpose of this measure, High Seas Pocket no. 1 is the area of high seas bounded by the
Exclusive Economic Zones of the Federated States of Micronesia to the north and east, Republic of
Palau to the west, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the south.

4.4(c) Transshipment At Sea – Observer Coverage
Adopted: April 25, 2017

Effective: January 1, 2018

Gear Type: Large-Scale Longline
Vessels

At-sea transshipments, if not properly monitored, can complicate the collection of accurate data, thetraceability of product and can create a fertile environment for illegal, unreported and unregulated
fishing activities.
To further support the implementation of RFMO conservation measures for longline observer
coverage and the regulation of at-sea transshipment, the collection of data and the effective
monitoring of longline vessels:
1. Processors, traders, importers, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shallconduct transactions with longline vessels that conduct transshipments at sea, whether highseas, EEZ, territorial seas or archipelagic waters, only if 100% of such transshipments areobserved (either by a human observer on board the longline vessel or onboard the carrier
vessel).
2. For the purposes of this measure, a large-scale longline vessel is defined as a vessel that isequal to or greater than 20m length overall (LOA).

5) Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
5.1 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
Adopted: January 27, 2009
Effective: October 21, 2014
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 21, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
The tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) maintain a list of all vessels
determined to have carried out IUU fishing within their convention waters, and this list is available tothe ISSF. The IUU vessel lists maintained by RFMOs can include a range of vessels engaged in fishingactivities, not just harvesting, such as transshipment activities. A vessel listed on the IUU list of one
RFMO may fish in the convention waters of another RFMO and not be listed on the IUU list of thisother RFMO. IUU fishing diminishes the effectiveness of conservation and management measures andthe long-term sustainability of the resources being managed. IUU fishing denies the RFMOs importantand valuable data and thereby undermines the effectiveness of their scientific programs.
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafoodindustry shall refrain from transactions in tuna caught by harvesting vessel(s) or transported bytransshipment vessel(s) on the IUU Vessel List of any RFMO.

5.2 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Product Response
Adopted: July 21, 2009
Effective: January 1, 2010
Gear Type: All
Amended: October 20, 2015
Enforcement and compliance with existing and future conservation measures, and the successful
elimination of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing requires the industry to maintainadequate traceability records. Since traceability data is acquired through Resolution 2.1, such data
can be used to identify IUU product.

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall warrant that tuna products are in compliance with ISSF Conservation Measure 5.1 – IUU Fishing,
and upon discovery of a violation of ISSF Conservation Measure 5.1, the company shall withdraw the
product from the marketplace.

6) Capacity
Excessive fishing capacity contributes substantially to overfishing, the degradation of marine fisheries
resources, the decline of food production potential, and significant economic waste. Purse seine vessels
take more than sixty percent of the world’s tuna catch. Despite the general consensus among scientists,
RFMOs, and many governments that excess fishing capacity exists in most of the tuna purse-seine
fisheries, the fishing capacity of these fleets continues to grow.
The 2010 Bellagio Framework for Sustainable Tuna Fisheries concluded that, in a fully exploited fishery,coastal states’ rights to expand their participation in a tuna fishery must be accommodated bymechanisms for reducing the participation of others.
ISSF will continue to sponsor regional and global workshops on fleet capacity management, including
mechanisms for capacity transfers. In addition, ISSF has determined to assist international efforts tomanage fishing capacity by tropical tuna purse seine fleets as follows:

6.1 Transaction Ban for Large-Scale Purse-Seine Vessels not Actively Fishing for Tuna as ofDecember 31, 2012
Adopted: May 22, 2012
Effective: January 1, 2013
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Amended: October 21, 2014
Seine
Amended: October 20, 2015
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall refrain from transactions in skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tuna caught by large scale purse seine
vessels that are not actively fishing for tuna as of December 31, 2012. For the purposes of Section 6,
large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish hold volume.
To support this measure, ISSF has established a Record of Large-Scale Purse Seine Vessels(“Record”) fishing for tropical tunas globally. ISSF maintains the Record on its public website anddraws upon the information available in the tuna RFMO vessel registers, as well as information
provided by the fishing industry and other sources.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

6.2(a) Requirements for Inclusion in Record of Large-Scale Purse Seine Vessels Fishing For
Tropical Tunas

Adopted: May 22, 2012
Effective: January 1, 2013
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse Seine
Amended: October 21, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: October 18, 2016
Amended: April 25, 2017
Amended: May 31, 2018
Amended: October 28, 2020
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall refrain from transactions in skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tuna caught by large scale purse
seine vessels that are not listed on ISSF’s Record.
1. Only vessels with all of the following information will be entered in the Record. Vessel
information will be subject to verification by government agencies, RFMO secretariats, and otherrelevant agencies.
(a) Name(b) Flag(c) IMO number(d) RFMO vessel record number(s)(e) National Registration Number(f) Radio Call Sign(g) Length overall (m)(h) Fish carrying capacity (metric tons)(i) Fish hold volume (m3)(j) Year and month built(k) Shipyard(l) If applicable: Previous name(s) and flag(s); date(s) changed.
2. ISSF will update the Record to include additional vessels in the following circumstances:(a) The addition of a large-scale purse seine vessel that was actively fishing for tuna on or
before December 31, 2012 but cannot have ceased fishing operations prior to January 1,
2010, that was not included in the Record initially.
(b) The addition of a large-scale purse seine vessel that was under contract for
construction on or before December 31, 2012 with construction completed by June 30,
2015. “Under contract for construction” means that there is evidence that a valid
contractual obligation was in place for the construction of the vessel. “Construction
completed” means that the vessel has been delivered and is ready to commence fishing
operations.
(c) A change in the name, flag, or registration number of a vessel already on the Record.
(d) The addition of a new large-scale purse seine vessel that is built as a replacement for a
vessel already on the Record that has sunk, has been scrapped or otherwise permanently
transferred out of the tropical tuna fishery. The addition of the new vessel will bepermitted only to the extent it replaces one or more older vessels on the ISSF Record andits fish hold volume is less than or equal to the fish hold volume of the older vessel(s) thatwere on the ISSF Record.
The request for the addition of new vessels shall come either from the owner of the older

vessel, or from a new owner designated by the owner of the older vessel.
Vessels that do not provide verified proof of the existence of a fish hold are not eligible foruse as replacement capacity under this subsection.
In circumstances where the vessel owner does not provide proof of a fish hold volume(m3), an independent auditor will make a conservative calculation in accordance with
then-current ISSF technical papers.
3. Vessels on the Record that are refurbished in such a way that their fish hold volume increases will be
removed from the Record unless the aggregated replaced capacity is at least 1.0 times the capacity ofthe vessel before refurbishment.
4. In order to resolve any disputes that may arise with the implementation of paragraphs 1 to 3 above,
ISSF will set up an independent Dispute Advisory Body (DAB) composed of experts in relevant
legislation.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish holdvolume.

6.2(b) Record of Large-scale Purse Seine Vessels Special Arrangement – PNA
Adopted: October 20, 2015
Effective: May 5, 2016
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Amended: October 23, 2019
Seine

ISSF recognizes the commitment of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) to the adoption of
harvest control rules in the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), their leadershipin gaining Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of the free-school skipjack fishery, and therobust monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) measures that are in place to ensure compliance,such as 100% observer coverage and vessel monitoring systems (VMS).
1.
Exemptions for compliance with ISSF Conservation Measures 6.1 and 6.2(a) may be made for
new large-scale purse seine vessels flagged to member countries of the PNA that meet all of thefollowing conditions:i. The vessel is registered in the WCPFC record of authorized fishing vessels.
ii. The vessel fishes within the purse seine Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) management system.
iii. The vessel is not authorized to fish outside the WCPFC Convention Area.

2. Large-scale purse seine vessels exempted under this measure will be listed on the ISSF Record ofLarge-Scale Purse Seine Vessels.
3. If a large-scale purse seine vessel is granted an exemption under this CM, it must then apply to belisted on the PVR.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

6.2(c) Investment in Purse Seine Vessels Subject to the PNA Special Arrangement
Adopted: October 20, 2015
Effective: May 5, 2016
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Seine
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
that are investors in any new vessels that meet all of the conditions in ISSF Conservation Measure
6.2(b) above, and are therefore exempted from compliance with ISSF Conservation Measures 6.1 and
6.2(a) above, shall buy out and scrap existing capacity up to the percent of capacity of the new vesselthat corresponds to their ownership interest in the new vessel, in accordance with paragraph 2(d) of
ISSF Conservation Measure 6.2(a).
For the purposes of this measure, “new vessels” include vessels owned, partially or fully:(a) directly or indirectly (through intermediary entities) by any ISSF Participating Company or any
member of the corporate group of which such Participating Company is a part, or(b) directly or indirectly by any individuals who are majority shareholders (or any equivalent formof ownership) of any ISSF Participating Company. Individuals shall include any natural person andhis or her family members (including spouse, domestic partner, child, sibling, parent or grandparent,
whether natural, adopted or by marriage).

For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

6.2(d) Investment in Purse Seine Vessels Not in Compliance with ISSF Conservation Measures
6.1 and 6.2(a)Adopted: October 18, 2016
Effective: January 1, 2017
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Seine
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
that are investors in any new vessel that does not meet all of the conditions in ISSF Conservation
Measures 6.1 and 6.2(a) above shall buy out and scrap existing capacity of large-scale tuna purse
seine vessel(s) that corresponds to the full capacity of the new vessel, in accordance with Paragraph2(d) of ISSF Conservation Measure 6.2(a).

1.For the purposes of this measure, “new vessels” includes vessels owned, partially or fully:(a) directly or indirectly (through intermediary entities) by any ISSF Participating Company,
which shall mean the ISSA Member and its affiliates, including all commonly controlled
business organizations, or(b) directly or indirectly by any individuals who hold controlling interests of any ISSF
Participating Company as defined in section (1) of this Conservation Measure. Individuals
shall include any natural person and his or her family members (including spouse,domestic partner, child, sibling, parent or grandparent, whether natural, adopted or by
marriage).

2. In auditing this measure, the only possible findings will be either "fully compliant" or "major nonconformance."

3. For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

6.2(e) Purchases From Purse Seine Vessels in Fleets With Other Vessels Not in Compliancewith ISSF Conservation Measures 6.1 and 6.2(a)Adopted: October 18, 2016
Effective: January 1, 2018
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Seine
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall refrain from transactions in skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tuna caught by any and all large
scale purse seine vessels owned by business organizations or individuals that also own large-scale
purse seine vessels not in compliance with ISSF Conservation Measures 6.1 and 6.2(a).

For the purposes of this measure, “owned” means a registered or controlling (majority) interest in thevessels:(1) directly or indirectly (through intermediary entities) by any business organization or its
affiliated business organizations, including commonly controlled organizations, or(2) directly or indirectly by any individuals, including individual ownership of any equity or
investment interest in whatever form of any business organization operating, managing, controllingor receiving revenues from a vessel. Individuals shall include any natural person and his or her family
members (including spouse, domestic partner, child, sibling, parent or grandparent, whether natural,
adopted or by marriage).

For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish
hold volume.

6.2(f) Record of Large-scale Purse Seine Vessels Special Arrangement – Peru
Adopted: October 28, 2020
Effective: October 28, 2020
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse Seine
ISSF recognizes that the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) is the tuna Regional Fishery
Management Organization that has made the greatest efforts to manage the capacity of its large-scale
purse seine fishery. IATTC has a closed vessel register, a capacity management plan, and actively monitors
fishing capacity to inform its decision-making.
ISSF also recognizes that IATTC had granted Peru 8195m3 of purse seine capacity before ISSF
Conservation Measure 6.2 was originally adopted in 2012.
1. Exemptions for compliance with ISSF Conservation Measures 6.1 and 6.2(a) may be made for largescale purse seine vessels flagged to Peru and registered on the IATTC Record that meet all of the following
conditions:
I.
II.
III.

Were built before 2012
Are within the 8195 m3 capacity allocated by IATTC to Peru as of 2011, andThe vessel is not authorized to fish outside of the IATTC Convention Area.

2. Large-scale purse seine vessels exempted under this measure will be listed on the ISSF Record of LargeScale Purse Seine Vessels.
3. If a large-scale purse seine vessel is granted an exemption under this CM, it must then apply to be listedon the PVR.
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish holdvolume.

7) ProActive Vessel Register
The ISSF ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) is an effective, credible and verifiable way for vessel owners tohighlight meaningful sustainability efforts taken in order to improve responsible practices in tunafishing. The PVR can assist processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involvedin the seafood industry to identify those vessels that are taking meaningful sustainability efforts,
including support of ISSF’s conservation measures. The measures contained in this Section 7 do not
replace the requirements for purse seine vessels to comply with the commitments listed in any other
ISSF conservation measure detailed in this document.

7.1 (a) Controlled Vessels – Purse Seine and Supply and Tender
Adopted: November 17, 2013
Effective: March 31, 2014
Gear Type: Purse Seine andAmended: March 19, 2014
supply and tender vessels
Amended: October 21, 2015
Amended: May 31, 2018
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry,
for skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna caught by purse seine vessels shall register all controlled
vessels fishing, or operating as supply and tender vessels, for skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna on
the ISSF Proactive Vessel Register (PVR) and thereafter maintain such registrationindefinitely. Controlled vessels include:(a) vessels majority owned or controlled directly or indirectly (through intermediary entities)
by any ISSF Participating Company or any member of the corporate group of which such
Participating Company is a part; or(b) vessels majority owned or controlled by any individuals who are majority shareholders (orany equivalent form of ownership) of any ISSF Participating Company.); or(c) vessels under the following charter types that are contracted directly or indirectly(through intermediary entities) by any ISSF Participating Company or any member of thecorporate group of which such Participating Company is a part or directly or indirectly by
any individuals who are majority shareholders (or any equivalent form of ownership) of
any ISSF Participating Company:(i) bareboat charters. no matter the duration of the charter; and(ii) time and/or association charters if the duration of the charter isa minimum of 12 months or longer.
For the purposes of this measure, individuals shall include any natural person and his or her
family members (including spouse, domestic partner, child, sibling, parent or grandparent,
whether natural, adopted or by marriage).

7.1 (b) Controlled Vessels – Longline
Adopted: October 24, 2018
Effective Date: June 1, 2019

Gear Type: Longline

Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry,
for albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna caught by longline vessels shall register by June 1, 2019 allcontrolled longline vessels fishing for albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna on the ISSF Proactive
Vessel Register (PVR) and thereafter maintain such registration indefinitely. Controlled vessels
include:(a) vessels majority owned or controlled directly or indirectly (through intermediary entities)
by any ISSF Participating Company or any member of the corporate group of which such
Participating Company is a part; or(b) vessels majority owned or controlled by any individuals who are majority shareholders (orany equivalent form of ownership) of any ISSF Participating Company.); or(c) vessels under the following charter types that are contracted directly or indirectly(through intermediary entities) by any ISSF Participating Company or any member ofthe corporate group of which such Participating Company is a part or directly or indirectly
by any individuals who are majority shareholders (or any equivalent form of ownership)of any ISSF Participating Company:(i) bareboat charters. no matter the duration of the charter; and(ii) time and/or association charters if the duration of the charteris a minimum of 12 months or longer.
For the purposes of this measure, individuals shall include any natural person and his or her
family members (including spouse, domestic partner, child, sibling, parent or grandparent,
whether natural, adopted or by marriage).

7.2 Threshold Requirement for PVR Listing
Adopted: October 21, 2014
Amended: October 20, 2015
Amended: October 18, 2016
Amended April 25, 2017
Amended: November 10, 2021

Effective: October 21, 2014
Amended Effective Date:
October 18, 2016
amendments effective January
1, 2018
Amended Effective Date:
April 25, 2017 amendment
effective January 1, 2018

Gear Type: Large-Scale
Purse Seine

1. A large-scale purse seine vessel shall be in demonstrated compliance with, or otherwise
exempted from, Section 6 – Capacity, and listed on the ISSF Record of Large-Scale Purse
Seine Vessels (Record) in order to be listed on the ISSF PVR.
2. All large-scale purse seine vessels owned by the same business organization shall be indemonstrated compliance with, or otherwise exempted from, Section 6 – Capacity, andlisted on the Record in order to be listed on the ISSF PVR.
3. If a large-scale purse seine vessel is not in demonstrated compliance as described inparagraph 1, any and all large-scale purse seine vessels owned by the same businessorganization will not be eligible to be listed on the Record. If those vessels are alreadyon the Record, they will be removed.
4. If a vessel owner proposes to replace a vessel that is going to be scrapped under ISSF
Conservation Measure 6.2(a)2.d, ISSF recognizes that there can be a gap in time after acontract for scrapping the vessel is in place until the time that the vessel is scrapped. A
vessel owner may produce an executed scrapping contract and demonstrate that thevessel is permanently retired from fishing activities to begin the auditor's review under
6.2(a)2.d. The following will apply in such circumstance:
a. If the auditor determines that the new vessel will meet the requirements of theconservation measure once the old vessel is physically scrapped, the new vessel
will be listed on the Record and PVR conditionally.
b. Within 6 months from the date of the scrapping contract, the vessel owner must
provide certification that the older vessel has actually been scrapped.

c. In the event, that the required certification is not timely provided, the new vessel andall other large-scale purse seine vessels owned by the same business organization will
be removed from the Record and the PVR, unless the owner can prove force majeurein the event of a delay.
A “business organization” is an entity formed to carry on a commercial purpose, whether or not
for profit. A business organization includes all entities that are commonly owned or controlled
and accordingly form a common enterprise, including but not limited to parent organizations,subsidiary organizations and affiliated organizations. For purposes of this measure, “owned” isdefined as set forth in CM 6.2(e).
For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335
m3 fish hold volume.

7.3 Purchases from PVR Vessels – Purse Seine
Adopted: October 21, 2014
Effective Date: Fishing trips
Gear Type: Large-Scale Purse
Amended: October 20, 2015 commencing on or after January Seine
1, 2016
Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafoodindustry shall:
1. If purchasing skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna from large-scale purse seine vessels,
for all trips beginning on or after January 1, 2016, ensure that 100 % of those vessels
are on the ISSF ProActive Vessel Register.
2. For the purposes of this measure, large-scale purse seine vessels are those at least 335
m3 fish hold volume.

7.4 Supply and Tender Vessels
Adopted: April 25, 2017
Amended: May 31, 2018

Effective: January 1, 2018

Gear Type: Supply
and Tendervessels

Supply and tender vessels are used in many oceans by purse seine vessels fishing with drifting(FADs).
The primary use of supply and tender vessels is for maintaining a purse seine vessel's network ofdrifting FADs at sea in good condition and in the appropriate areas. Currently three of the four
tuna regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) allow for the use of supply andtender vessels, but with minimal regulation.
To further support the implementation of existing RFMO conservation measures for supply andtender vessels, and the collection of data and effective monitoring, control and surveillance ofsuch vessels:
1. Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafoodindustry, for skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna with controlled supply or tender vessels that
operate with purse seine vessels fishing for skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna, shall:(a) register all such vessels on the ISSF ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) and thereafter
maintain such registration indefinitely;(b) ensure all such vessels are listed on the authorized vessel record of the RFMO governing
the ocean area in which the tuna was caught;(c) ensure all such vessels have an IMO unique vessel identifier; and(d) ensure all such vessels are not listed on the IUU Vessel List of any RFMO.
2. For the purposes of this measure. controlled vessels include vessels as defined in ISSF CM
7.1.
3. When registering all controlled supply or tender vessels on the PVR, in addition to the vessel
attribute data already required as part of the PVR listing application, the vessel owner must
provide the vessel names and flags of all the purse seine vessels that the listed supply or tendervessels support, to the maximum extent possible.
4. For purposes of this measure, supply and tender vessels are any vessel used, or intended foruse, for the purpose of fishing or directly involved in such fishing operations.
5. For the purposes of this measure, "fishing" means:(a) searching for, catching, taking or harvesting fish;(b) attempting to search for, catch, take or harvest fish;

(c) engaging in any other activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the locating,catching, taking or harvesting of fish for any purpose;(d) placing, searching for or recovering fish aggregating devices or associated electronicequipment such as radio beacons; and(e) any operations at sea directly in support of, or in preparation for, any activity describedin subparagraphs (a) to (d), including transshipment.

7.5 Purchases from PVR Vessels – Longline
Adopted: October
Effective Date: December 31, 2019
Gear Type: Longline
24, 2018
If purchasing albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna from longline vessels, processors, traders,
importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shall:
1. Develop and make public by December 31, 2019 a statement of intent to increasepurchases from longline vessels registered on the PVR.
2. Publish the percentage of their longline purchases from PVR registered longline vessels by
March 31, 2020, or indicate no such purchases made.

8) Miscellaneous
8.1 Exemption for Very Small Purse Seine Vessels
Adopted: October 20, 2015
Amended: May 31, 2018

Effective: October 20, 2015

Gear Type: Very Small Purse Seine

Very small purse seine vessels are exempted from the following ISSF Conservation Measures:
3.4 Skipper Best Practices
4.4(a) Transshipment
For the purposes of this measure “very small purse seine vessels” are those vessels of a size less than
30 GT.
9) Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards

9.1 Public Policy on Social and Labor Standards
Adopted: October 28, 2020
Effective: January 1, 2021

Gear Type: All

1. Processors, traders, importers, transporters, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry
shall develop and publish a public social and labor standards policy and/or sourcing policy thatapplies to it and its supply chain, including production facilities and fishing and supply vessels, that
addresses, at a minimum, the following categories:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Forced labor;
Child labor;
Freedom of association;
Wages, benefits and employment contracts;
Working hours;
Health and safety;
Discrimination, harassment and abuse;
Grievance mechanisms.

2. For the purposes of this measure a policy is “public” if it is published on the company’s website or isotherwise available to the general public.