When West Coast anglers head offshore in search of yellowfin, bigeye, or skipjack, the quality of the bite isn’t just shaped by weather and water temperatures. It’s also influenced by international agreements that determine how these highly migratory species are managed. Last week, the United States took a leading role at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) meeting, where new measures were adopted to safeguard tuna populations while giving American fishermen more opportunity on the water.
The IATTC is made up of 21 nations that work together to manage tuna stocks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, which stretches from California to South America. Decisions made in these meetings directly affect the health of the fisheries Southern California anglers depend on. By guiding negotiations, the U.S. delegation—led by Andrew Lawler of NOAA—helped secure policies that blend conservation with access, ensuring that both the environment and fishing communities stand to benefit.
One of the major steps forward came in the area of science. The U.S. successfully secured $1.8 million for the Regional Tuna Tagging Program, a long-running initiative that tracks tuna movements and population health. This investment builds on efforts to use the best available data to set catch limits and closures, and it helps ensure that regulations are grounded in real science. Complementing this, the U.S. also pushed for an Integrated Port Sampling Program, which improves how catch data is collected at landing sites. Together, these initiatives promise more accurate assessments of tuna stocks. For fishermen, better science has already paid off—new data showing healthy tuna populations allowed for fewer closure days for purse seine vessels, meaning more fishing time without undermining sustainability.
Beyond science and harvest rules, the U.S. delegation also prioritized the health of the broader ocean ecosystem. A central focus was on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), which are essential tools for locating tuna but can damage marine habitats if left adrift. With strong U.S. support, the IATTC adopted a resolution to expand FAD recovery programs. These efforts encourage the use of biodegradable materials, GPS tracking, and streamlined retrieval processes. For West Coast anglers, cleaner oceans translate into stronger ecosystems, which ultimately sustain the same species pursued by both commercial fleets and recreational boats.
The U.S. didn’t stop at tuna management and FADs. Delegates also backed new protections for silky sharks, a working group dedicated to dorado (mahi-mahi), and a partnership with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to address South Pacific albacore. These measures recognize that the ocean’s web of species is interconnected, and managing tuna effectively means considering the health of other important fish stocks. For Southern California anglers who regularly encounter dorado during warm-water years or troll for albacore when conditions are right, these decisions provide reassurance that the fishery is being looked after on multiple fronts.
Taken together, these moves highlight why West Coast anglers should care about what happens in international meeting rooms thousands of miles away. The outcome of the IATTC gathering shapes the future of the tuna runs that fuel Southern California’s offshore sportfishing season. When regulations are based on solid science, when the ecosystem is protected from abandoned gear, and when stock health is monitored across species, anglers benefit with more reliable opportunities on the water.
As Andrew Lawler of NOAA put it, “America’s leadership at the IATTC demonstrates our commitment to sustainable fisheries that protect our oceans and empower our fishermen.” His words underline the larger point: by driving policy that balances access with conservation, the U.S. is helping ensure that the thrill of spotting yellowfin foamers or chasing dorado under kelp paddies will remain part of our West Coast experience for years to come.
For anglers launching from San Pedro, San Diego, or Marina del Rey, the impact is clear. The fish they pursue each season depend on international cooperation, and this year, American leadership at the IATTC delivered a win for both the ocean and the fishermen who rely on it.
