The United States delegation to the 2025 annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Seville, Spain, secured the largest single-year increase in U.S. bluefin tuna quota in the history of the fishery.
U.S. negotiators, led by NOAA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for International Fisheries Andrew Lawler, successfully advocated for an additional allocation of 231 metric tons of Atlantic bluefin tuna — a 17 per cent increase in baseline quota and allowances for U.S. fishermen. This increase represents a significant step forward for the domestic fishing industry, which had been suffering under restrictive quota limits and unfair international competition for years. U.S. fishermen will see an increase in total allowable catch beginning in 2026.
Negotiations required unanimous consensus from all 55 ICCAT Parties across the Atlantic basin. U.S. negotiators also secured a commitment from all Parties to discuss the natural distribution and mixing of the Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico bluefin tuna stocks at an upcoming meeting in March, with discussions centred around the incorporation of advanced genomics research and tagging studies into bluefin tuna management strategies.
These scientific advancements are expected to rebalance the outdated ratio between the eastern and western bluefin tuna total allowable catches.
“We are very pleased with the successful results of our negotiations for both our recreational and commercial fisheries,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “We are proud of the work our team has done to provide a voice for America’s fishermen.”
The ICCAT meeting took place November 17–24 in Seville, Spain, with 55 nations working together on management agreements for Atlantic tuna, swordfish, billfish, sharks and protected species.
In addition to U.S. wins on bluefin tuna, the Commission adopted a management procedure for Western skipjack tuna that keeps this important species on a path toward stability and sustainability. The Commission also adopted the final component of a management procedure for North Atlantic swordfish, a stock of critical importance for U.S. fishermen. This action built on the success from previous ICCAT meetings, where the United States maintained its historic quota of 3,907 metric tons.
Despite robust discussion, no agreement was reached on a shark conservation measure that would strengthen existing shark finning prohibitions, specifically requiring sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached, a long-term priority for the United States.
The Commission left other major decisions for future meetings, including updates to the rebuilding plan for blue and white marlin; yellowfin tuna management and quota allocations; and methods to enhance monitoring, control and surveillance measures to combat IUU fishing. Beyond this list, the Commission agreed to take up important intersessional discussions related to the development of a high seas boarding and inspection strategy, which would enable better at-sea enforcement of management measures.
