Data collection and research is one facet of ISSF’s work toward improved sustainability of tuna stocks and the greater marine ecosystem.
(UNITED STATES, 7/14/2014)
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
(ISSF) has launched its new guidebook platform. The site offers virtual
manuals that share the latest guidance on responsible tuna fishing
operations – all in an interactive platform for ease-of-use and
centralized access.
New
to the portfolio of ISSF guidebooks is the Observer Training Guidebook,
a sustainability review for observers on purse seine tuna vessels.
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| Dr. Victor Restrepo. |
“Data
collection and research is one facet of ISSF’s work toward improved
sustainability of tuna stocks and the greater marine ecosystem,” said
Dr. Victor Restrepo, ISSF’s VP of Science. “ISSFguidebooks.org
represents the practical application of this information in real-world
terms, and is meant for an audience of fishers, observers and other
stakeholders on the front lines of tuna fishing – individuals that may
have the greatest impact in realizing the goal of sustainable tuna
fisheries.”
Along
with the newly designed ISSFguidebooks.org, ISSF has released the first
edition of its Observer Training Guide, which provides observers on
large-scale purse seine tuna vessels an overview of the skills necessary
for effective observing, particularly as they pertain to sustainable
fishing practices.
Although
regional or national observer programs will benefit from the
guidebooks, the manual is designed to complement rather than substitute
such programs. Effective observer coverage is one of the ISSF
Conservation Measures, which calls for 100 percent observer coverage for
purse seine vessels that fish for tropical tunas.
 |
| New to the portfolio of ISSF guidebooks is the Observer Training Guidebook, a sustainability review for observers on purse seine tuna vessels. |
The
guidebook also summarizes other ISSF Conservation Measures for the
management of tropical tuna and bycatch species that vessels are to
follow if they intend to sell to ISSF participating companies. In
addition, the new guide includes sections on “Purse Seine Operations”,
“Tuna ID”, “Bycatch”, “Scientific Sampling and Data Collection”, and
“Fisheries Management”.
ISSFguidebooks.org
also presents the existing ISSF Longline Skippers’ Guidebook and Purse
Seine Skippers’ Guidebook in an improved, easier-to-use online format
with illustrative graphics and videos for one-click guidance and
information.
 |
| The longline manual provides a guide for responsible longline tuna fishing operations. |
The
longline manual provides a guide to best practices in responsible
longline tuna fishing operations, reviews the reporting requirements and
other obligations to RFMOs, and informs readers about the relevant ISSF
Conservation Measures for the management of tuna and its larger marine
ecosystem. It includes sections on “Bycatch Mitigation & Handling”
and “Fisheries Management”, among others.
Similarly,
the Purse Seine Skippers’ book reviews best practices in purse seine
tuna fishing and includes sections on “FADs” or fish aggregating
devices, “Bycatch Mitigation & Handling” and “Fisheries Management”.
All
guides are also available on the site as an ePub and a printable PDF.
Because the tuna industry and conservation community are global,
ISSFguidebooks.org will soon include all guidebooks in a variety of
languages in addition to the English editions currently available.
About the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation is a global coalition of scientists, the tuna industry and World Wildlife Fund
(WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, promoting
science-based initiatives for the long-term conservation and sustainable
use of tuna stocks, reducing bycatch and promoting ecosystem health.