Indian Ocean tuna - purse seine (SIOTI)

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Overview

The Sustainable Indian Ocean Tuna Initiative (SIOTI) was established in 2017 and comprises major purse seine fleets and canned tuna processors operating in the Indian Ocean. SIOTI successfully concluded the first phase of the FIP between 2017 and 2023 that resulted in all fleet partners being MSC-certified or in full assessment against the standard for skipjack tuna. The successful FIP partnership is, since 2023, now focusing its attention on fishery improvements for yellowfin and bigeye tuna, building on impactful interventions made in the first phase of the FIP while actioning others to ensure that the fishery for both species can achieve the MSC standard by 2028. The FIP has retained its original name, SIOTI, yet following an updated workplan which main objective is the vertification of the YFT and BET fisheries. The implementation of the revised workplan started in 2023.

Target species: SIOTI.2 focuses on the purse seine fishery target species of yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) 

Fishing methods: The FIP encompasses the use of purse seine gear by large (>60 m LOA) specialist purse seine vessels. Sets by the vessels can be made on free schools of tuna or schools of tuna associated with floating objects

Fishing area: The fishery operates under the jurisdiction of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) in FAO Statistical Areas 51 and 57

Fishing fleets: The SIOTI fleet comprises 27 purse seine vessels flagged to France, Italy, Mauritius, Seychelles and Spain.   

 

FIP Description 

The Sustainable Indian Ocean Tuna Initiative (SIOTI) was established in 2017 and comprises major purse seine fleets and canned tuna processors operating in the Indian Ocean.

FIP Objective(s) 
  • To enhance a successful industry collaboration that is making fishery improvements and promoting a transition to sustainable purse seine tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean by June 2028
  • To continue and build on actions aimed at rebuilding yellowfin and bigeye, securing ecosystem functioning and strengthening governance of the fishery by June 2028
FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 5: Improvements on the Water
Start and Projected End Dates
April 2017
June 2028
Update 
The SIOTI FIP has made good progress in implementing its work plan since 2017 with all fleet partners now MSC-certified for skipjack tuna (see links below). There is a need for SIOTI to continue actions for yellowfin and bigeye tuna, both of which are subject to rebuilding measures by the RFMO that require time to take effect on the stock. Progress in harvest strategy development for both species is at an advanced stage, with bigeye now benefitting from a management procedure (see relevant updates in the action tab). While several actions have been completed in the first phase of SIOTI (2017-2023), certain actions aimed at addressing principles 2 and 3 also require more time for completion, which has led SIOTI to develop a revised environmental workplan. Hence, the extension of SIOTI constitutes a continuation of the existing FIP that will focus on yellowfin (YFT) and bigeye (BET) tuna. https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/echebastar-indian-ocean-purse-seine-skipjack-tuna/@@view https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/cfto-indian-ocean-purse-seine-skipjack-fishery/@@view https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/anabac-indian-ocean-purse-seine-skipjack-fishery/ https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/echebastar-indian-ocean-purse-seine-skipjack-tuna/@@view https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/cfto-indian-ocean-purse-seine-skipjack-fishery/@@view https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/anabac-indian-ocean-purse-seine-skipjack-fishery/
Next Progress Report Due 
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Species 
Common Name 
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Buying Guide Link Image 
Yellowfin Tuna
Buying Guide
Common Name 
Bigeye Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus obesus
Buying Guide Link Image 
Bigeye Tuna
Buying Guide
Gear Type 
Purse Seine
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 51 (Indian Ocean, Western)
Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Comoros (the)
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
Kenya
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
Mauritius
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
Madagascar
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
Mozambique
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
Seychelles
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
Tanzania, United Republic of
Geographic Scope 
Entire country
Country 
France
Geographic Scope 
Overseas territories of France in the Indian Ocean
Country Flag of Vessel 
Seychelles
Country Flag of Vessel 
France
Country Flag of Vessel 
Spain
Country Flag of Vessel 
Italy
Regional Fisheries Management Organization
IOTC
High Seas Name 
Indian Ocean
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
89,147 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
185,113 metric tons
Landings Date 
August 2023
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
April 01, 2017
21% 43% 36%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
A Advanced Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Jul 2025
Target End Date
Jun 2028

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Kosyon Ltd
Organization Type 
Consultant
Primary Contact 
Carlos Palin
Email 
carlos.palin@gmail.com
Phone 
+248 2776876
Website Name 
Thai Union
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
4711