European fishing firms reflag ships and take third of Indian Ocean tuna catch
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 7
European fishing firms reflag ships and take third of Indian Ocean tuna catch
12 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 7
Blue Marine Foundation and Kroll said more than 50 purse seiners and supply vessels used flags including Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania and Oman before the tuna commission meets in the Maldives.
The report says reflagging, though legal, obscures ownership and oversight as yellowfin and bigeye stocks recover from severe overfishing and after the EU agreed a 21% cut for EU-flagged yellowfin catches.
Industry group Europeche said the fleet supports regional economies through taxes, licences and port activity, while the European Commission said reflagging is a private business decision outside EU representation.
Is the EU’s vow to save Indian Ocean tuna an illusion while its own companies lead the overfishing under foreign flags?
With industry lobbyists on official delegations, can the upcoming IOTC meeting truly protect tuna from corporate interests?
Urgent Reforms Needed as European Fleet’s 21% Tuna Catch Cut Undermined by Reflagging and Transparency Gaps
Overview
The 2026 IOTC meeting highlighted urgent challenges in managing Indian Ocean tuna stocks, especially yellowfin tuna. The European Union committed to a 21% catch reduction, yet many European-owned vessels evade limits by reflagging under coastal states, doubling their operational reach and intensifying fishing pressure. This practice obscures true ownership, undermining transparency and enforcement. Critical gaps in observer coverage further weaken management, prompting calls for 100% monitoring through electronic systems and stronger vessel tracking. While reflagging brings economic benefits to coastal nations, it complicates sustainable fisheries governance. The IOTC aims to address these issues by mandating beneficial ownership disclosure, enhancing monitoring, and strengthening compliance to secure tuna stocks and equitable resource sharing.