ISSF expands vessel sustainability tracking

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has expanded its Vessels in Other Sustainability Initiatives (VOSI) resource to track four additional science-based practices aimed at reducing bycatch and protecting marine ecosystems in tuna fisheries.

The update brings VOSI’s total to 15 individual best practices or indicators of sustainable fishing, alongside information on participation in certified fisheries and improvement programmes.

“Our VOSI resource helps turn vessel sustainability commitments into information that market partners and other stakeholders can see and use,” said ISSF president Susan Jackson. She added that expanding independently verified practices would help users identify vessels taking concrete steps towards more sustainable fishing.

Launched in 2020, VOSI lists more than 1,300 purse-seine, longline, pole-and-line, and supply-and-tender vessels worldwide. Independent auditor MRAG Americas verifies each vessel’s recognised practices annually.

The four new indicators cover the exclusive use of biodegradable fish aggregating devices (FAD) by purse-seine and supply-and-tender vessels, as well as three seabird bycatch mitigation approaches for longline vessels operating in southern temperate latitudes.

These include using at least two measures from weighted branch lines, night setting and tori lines; adopting hook-shielding devices; and deploying underwater bait-setting devices.

The biodegradable FAD indicator distinguishes vessels using specified biodegradable designs exclusively from those participating in biodegradable FAD trials. The seabird mitigation practices align with ISSF Conservation Measure 3.6 and recommendations in its Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Longline Fishing Practices.

ISSF has also updated the criteria for its existing electronic monitoring (EM) indicator. Vessels can now qualify by meeting the applicable EM standard in their tuna regional fisheries management organisation area and proactively making monitoring data available to that organisation, even where electronic monitoring is not mandatory.

VOSI users can search and filter vessel profiles by initiative, flag, vessel type and unique identifier. They can also access related ProActive Vessel Register information, pin profiles, copy records and export data.