Zanzibar is hosting crucial talks this week on Indian Ocean tuna quotas under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Delegates from over 25 countries are negotiating sustainable catch limits amid rising concerns about overfishing. The 14–17 July meetings are expected to finalize new allocations for yellowfin and skipjack species. The stakes are high for East African nations like Tanzania and Seychelles. Illegal fishing and dwindling stocks threaten both food security and export earnings.
Environmental groups have praised the summit’s transparency and Indigenous stakeholder inclusion. Quota adjustments will directly affect thousands of artisanal fishermen in coastal communities. Proposals include stricter monitoring systems and tech-based tracking for fishing vessels. Countries are also discussing equitable quota shares for developing states. Final agreements are expected to be announced before the summit ends tomorrow.
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