Earlier this year, ANABAC requested an MSC scope extension to assess yellowfin as an additional target species to its already certified skipjack fishery in the Indian Ocean. The catches recently received the blue tick after it scored above 80 for Principle 1. The CAB, Bureau Veritas, stated in the Public Certification Report that, “the client requested this scope extension in light of recent developments addressing key concerns previously raised about the status and management of Indian Ocean yellowfin.” The Performance Indicators for the other two principles – ecosystem impacts and management system – were not analyzed. In May, Atuna reported about this fishery going for a scope extension.

Last year, IOTC scientists determined that yellowfin in the Indian Ocean was no longer overfished, after which several fisheries announced that they are interested in an MSC assessment for IO yellowfin. However, experts warned that there were data discrepancies in the stock assessment and flag states should keep to their quotas.

Locals and tourists in Conil, Spain, can once again enjoy the popular tuna weathervane after its restoration works were recently completed. The sculpture had been damaged due to the renovation works of a promenade near the Conil coastline, known as the Almadraba route, where it was installed many years back. However, government authorities ensured its renovation as it is a heritage symbol to the locals, who were happy about its return.

The weathervane, part of the ‘Monument To The Tuna’ project financed by the European Fisheries Fund and the Andalusian government, highlights the importance of bluefin fishing in the region. The four-meter-high and seven-meter-long bluefin was created by Spanish artist Pedro Barberá. Similar weathervanes are located in the towns of Cadiz, Zahara de los Atunes, Barbate, Conil, Tarifa, La Línea de la Concepción, and Chiclana, which are also famous for the Almadrabas.

The Indonesian Ministry of Fisheries recently clarified a US query dating back to 2023, regarding the presence of mercury in tuna caught near the Obi Islands, one of the largest islands in the country. The Quality Assurance Agency at the Ministry stated that an official confirmation showed no presence of mercury in tuna or other seafood products sourced from waters around the island.

In 2023, the US FDA inquired about mercury levels in tuna caught near the Obi Islands, but did not issue an official report confirming contamination or a ban. A spokesperson from the Indonesian Quality Assurance Agency, which is the competent authority for export certification, stated that tuna are migratory species, and “mercury in the fish could originate from waters far from their capture point. Based on existing tests on both fish samples and surrounding waters in various locations, no heavy metal levels have exceeded Indonesian or international standards,” reported Indonesia Business Post.