The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1993 that aims to promote conservation and sustainable management of tuna and other marine resources in the Indian Ocean. As a comprehensive regional fisheries management organization, IOTC facilitates cooperation and coordination among its member countries to ensure the conservation, protection, and optimum utilization of tuna stocks and other associated species.
With its headquarters in Seychelles, the IOTC is responsible for the implementation of scientific research, data collection, and monitoring programs to assess the status of key fish populations and their habitats. It also develops and implements conservation and management measures to prevent overfishing and ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna resources.
The Commission operates by utilizing a consensus-based decision-making process, whereby member countries agree on measures, guidelines, and recommendations to regulate fisheries activities within their respective territories. These measures include setting fishing quotas, limiting fishing effort, establishing closed areas or seasons, and conducting enforcement and compliance actions. The IOTC also encourages cooperation among its members to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the region.
Through its cooperative approach, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission seeks to strike a balance between the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of fisheries management, ensuring the protection of marine biodiversity, supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities, and promoting sustainable fishing practices in the Indian Ocean.
