The EU Fisheries Commissioner has been warned by members of the scientific community that Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna is being overfished by the industrial fleet of the EU. In 2016, IOTC adopted an interim plan for rebuilding the yellowfin stock, with catch limitations based on 2014/2015 levels. However, instead of achieving the 20% reduction in yellowfin catch recommended by scientists at the time, catches increased by 3% in 2017, and by around 9% in 2018.
The Spanish Echebastar fleet targeting skipjack (and yellowfin) tuna with FADs was certified for skipjack, despite the lack of Harvest Control Rules or a valid stock rebuilding plan for the depleted yellowfin stock, although a substantial part of the catch is yellowfin.
