FAO launches free webinar introducing tuna management procedures eLearning series

FAO launched a global webinar presenting a new eLearning series on management procedures, also known as harvest strategies, developed under the GEF-funded Common Oceans Tuna Project. The 90-minute session was held on 11 February at 13:00–14:30 CET via Zoom and was free and open to everyone; participants were asked to register in advance.

The series, titled Strengthening Global Capacity: New eLearning Series on Management Procedures, was created with support from the FAO elearning Academy, The Ocean Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation. FAO framed management procedures as practical tools for fisheries managers and stakeholders, noting the science and governance gains they can deliver. "Based on the best available science and aligned with the ecosystem approach to fisheries, MPs have improved decision making under uncertainty, reduced the risk of overfishing, increased the predictability of harvests, and strengthened transparency and governance within Regional Fisheries Management Organizations," FAO said in its announcement.

The webinar acted as an entry point for fishery managers, scientists, NGO staff, and industry professionals who need a working knowledge of MPs. The FAO elearning Academy page highlighted that the course lets learners "Explore the FAO elearning Academy and MP course series. · Learn about the role and benefits of management procedures. · Explore progress and lessons learned from" — a fragment that indicates modules on the role, benefits, and lessons but whose full listing was not present in the event extract. FAO also published the announcement in French under the heading "Renforcement des capacités globales : nouvelle série de formation en ligne sur les procédures de gestion," signaling bilingual outreach.

FAO colleagues promoted the launch on social media. Esther Wozniak, who appeared in a LinkedIn post and was listed with 1,592 followers in the extract, wrote: "Wanna take a course with me? FAO just launched this new Learning course on Management Procedures/Harvest Strategies. I’m planning to take it in the next couple of weeks, so drop me a line if you plan on taking it too. A superstar panelist of colleagues will be introducing the course at this webinar on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 13:00 - 14:30 Europe/Rome time. See you there!"

The immediate practical value is straightforward: MPs provide a repeatable, science-based way to set and adjust tuna harvest levels while accounting for uncertainty and ecosystem considerations. For contracting parties to RFMOs, national fisheries agencies, and technical teams, the eLearning series offers an accessible route to consistent implementation and improved governance practices. FAO asked participants to register in advance here: and to join the webinar session on Zoom, kindly register here: — the announcement referenced registration prompts though the specific links were not present in the supplied extracts.

What comes next is capacity in action. Wider uptake of the FAO eLearning modules could speed adoption of harvest strategies across fleets and commissions, helping smaller states and technical teams build the skills needed to negotiate and implement MPs. Verify FAO's elearning Academy and the Common Oceans Tuna Project pages for full course details, panelist lists, and any recordings that FAO may make available.