About the Tuna Compliance Network

The Tuna Compliance Network connects those responsible for compliance within the secretariats of the five tuna RFMOs, organisations that collectively cover 91 percent of the world's ocean. Established in 2017 and hosted within the IMCS Network, the TCN has become an essential forum for information exchange, joint work and the development of shared tools and best practice across one of the world's most complex fisheries compliance environments.

The TCN was established with support from the Common Oceans Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Tuna Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility.

Since its inception, the TCN has brought together over 100 years of combined experience in RFMO compliance and MCS. What began as an informal forum has become an essential part of how tuna fisheries compliance operates globally, delivering shared tools, common approaches and a level of cooperation between RFMO secretariats that did not previously exist. 

Member secretariats

The TCN includes officers responsible for compliance in the five tuna RFMO secretariats.

Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT)

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

What the TCN does

The TCN facilitates communication and information exchange between tuna RFMO secretariats. It fosters joint efforts, including the development of common tools, shared procedures and best practice compliance methodologies. It enhances opportunities for technology sharing and transfer, improves awareness of new and existing measures, procedures and technologies, and identifies and coordinates capacity building and training opportunities.