By Maïa Perraudeau
International Law & Policy Consultant, IPNLF
At the heart of July’s Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting in Zanzibar were questions about who gets to fish in the Indian Ocean. From unresolved equity debates to calls for a clearer definition of artisanal vessels, IPNLF’s Dr. Maïa Perraudeau breaks down the key tensions and takeaways from the Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria on July 16-17.
July’s Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria (TCAC) meeting in Zanzibar set out to address some of the most contentious issues regarding who gets to fish and how much in the Indian Ocean. This included tackling divisive issues around allocation and growing calls for a clearer definition of artisanal fishing vessels. At IPNLF, we advocate for equitable access to resources, especially for developing coastal states, where small-scale and artisanal fisheries play a vital role in livelihoods and food security. Below were some of the central themes that emerged from the meeting:
1. A greater emphasis on tackling sticking points head-on
This year’s chair, Professor Quentin Hanich put divisive equity issues front and centre. The meeting focused on unresolved and politically sensitive questions about who gets to fish, where, and how much. Topics of contention included:
Putting these issues on the table didn’t necessarily yield agreement, but it did force more honest positioning.
2. Divisions amongst developing coastal states hampered consensus
Developing coastal states, many of whom form part of the G16 coalition, have long argued for fair allocation of fishing resources. These states share broadly aligned goals, particularly around increasing their share of tuna resources. But this meeting also surfaced key points of disagreement within that bloc. Some of the main tensions were over which criteria should count most when determining allocations. For example, whether to include catch history versus biomass or the size of their Exclusive Economic Zone. While these states mostly have similar overarching interests, the details matter, and those details continue to divide them.
3. Growing calls for a clearer definition of “artisanal vessels”
Some IOTC members wanted to exempt artisanal fishing from the allocation regime. They argued that these small-scale fisheries are focused on meeting local nutritional needs and so should not have their catches limited. Other members countered that excluding catches from small-scale fisheries would undermine the allocation regime’s purpose. This is especially problematic as the current IOTC definition of “artisanal” is extremely broad and encompasses any vessel under 24 metres. It was therefore clear that this definition needs to be tightened before any exemptions can be meaningfully applied. Without clarity, the line between artisanal and industrial operations remains blurry, and open to exploitation.
4. IOTC members with industrialised fleets continue to favour status quo
The most unified position came from those who favour preserving the current regime, perpetuating a system where current catch limits reflect historical fishing levels. This approach tends to favour already industrialised distant water fishing fleets, particularly those from the EU, Japan, and Korea. These members argued that the future allocation should be defined by their previous long-standing activity in the region, a position that has remained consistent over many years.
Looking ahead to 2026
All eyes are now on the next meeting, set for February 2026 in Perth, Australia. This could be a make-or-break moment for this process. If no further progress is made there, the future of the current allocation reform efforts could be in serious doubt. If so, the IOTC would do well to adopt alternative approaches, such as adopting a non-binding list of criteria or reverting to species-by-species catch limits. Whatever approach they take, it’s vital that equity and the special requirements of developing states are sufficiently taken into account to secure a fairer future for the millions of people that depend on the Indian Ocean.