ICCAT adopts skipjack management procedure for western Atlantic tuna

ICCAT's 2025 meeting delivered a landmark shift in how western Atlantic skipjack tuna will be managed by adopting a formal management procedure, or MP. The MP sets a constant total allowable catch for the western Atlantic skipjack stock for 2026-2028 and signals a broader move by tuna regional fisheries management organizations toward pre-agreed, science-driven decision rules that base catch levels on stock indicators.

Management procedures replace much of the last-minute negotiation that has historically decided catch limits. Analysts say MPs reduce the need for ad-hoc bargaining under pressure, and are designed to make harvest decisions more precautionary and predictable. ICCAT also continued work refining MPs for other tuna stocks, indicating the organization is leaning into harvest control rules rather than year-by-year deals.

For commercial and recreational anglers, charter operators, and the supply chain, this matters in concrete ways. A constant TAC for skipjack affects quota pools, seasonal openings, in-season triggers, and trip limits once ICCAT advice is translated into domestic regulations. How national and regional managers split ICCAT TACs into sector shares will determine whether commercial longliners, purse-seiners, small-boat operators, and sport fishermen see steady opportunity or tighter caps at key seasons.

The practical ripple effects begin now. Domestic authorities normally use ICCAT TACs as the basis for quota allocations and in-season management tools. Expect consultations this winter and spring as managers work out allocation formulas, sector shares, and the mechanics of translating the ICCAT constant TAC into permits, trip limits, and monitoring requirements. The MP framework should reduce surprise cuts late in the season, but it also creates clearer trigger points that can close fisheries automatically if stock indicators move the wrong way.

At the dock level, operators should monitor quota notices and in-season trigger thresholds so you can plan trips, staffing, and gear accordingly. Check how your state or national fisheries agency intends to apportion the ICCAT TAC among commercial permits and recreational seasons. Expect outreach from trade groups and regional fishery management councils as allocation conversations ramp up.

The shift to MPs also has long-term upside. Better-aligned decision rules can stabilize markets, make quota trading more predictable, and provide clearer signals for sustainable harvests. That steadiness benefits processors, buyers, and anglers who rely on reliable seasonal access and catch limits.

Our two cents? Treat this as an early warning system: get your business and trip plans in order, keep an eye on domestic quota notices, and engage in allocation discussions. Predictable rules mean you can plan smarter — but only if you stay plugged into how ICCAT's TAC becomes rules in your waters.