How to Protect Tuna: Insights from ISSF’s Gala Moreno on Sustainable Fisheries
Release Date: 03/24/2025
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How To Protect The Ocean
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How To Protect The Ocean
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The Silent Damage Behind Your Canned Tuna
How To Protect The Ocean
Right now, somewhere in the open ocean, a raft the size of a small table is drifting with no one steering it. It's called a fish aggregating device, or FAD, and the tuna industry drops thousands of them into the water every year to lure fish to the surface. A new study published in Science Advances tracked where these rafts actually end up, and the answer is unsettling: they've likely drifted through more than half of the world's marine protected areas by total area, with over 6,300 strandings recorded across 174 protected areas in 53 countries and territories. When a drifting FAD washes onto...
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How To Protect The Ocean
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What Dead Seabirds Are Trying to Tell Us About the Pacific Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
Thousands of seabirds are washing ashore along California’s coast, starving, exhausted, and unable to find enough food. While the images are heartbreaking, scientists say the birds are only the visible symptom of a much larger problem unfolding beneath the surface. In this episode, we explore why seabirds are dying and what their struggle reveals about the health of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll learn how marine heat waves are disrupting one of the world’s most productive ocean ecosystems by reducing nutrients, shrinking fish populations, and breaking apart the marine food web. We also look...
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Who Really Decides Canada’s Climate Future?
How To Protect The Ocean
Canada has admitted it is no longer on track to meet its 2030 climate targets, but the reasons go far beyond domestic politics. In this episode, we explore how changing economic priorities are reshaping Canada’s approach to climate action. The surprising twist is that many of these changes begin outside Canada’s borders. New U.S. tariffs and shifting trade policies are putting pressure on Canada’s economy, forcing leaders to rethink where to invest and what to prioritize. As economic policy changes, climate policy often changes with it. We follow that chain of events to understand why...
info_outlineGlobal tuna fisheries are facing mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch, and unsustainable fishing practices. Gala Moreno from the International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF) shares her expert insights on the current state of tuna populations and the urgent need for sustainable solutions. She explains how ISSF is collaborating with fishers, policymakers, and scientists to create strategies that protect tuna stocks while supporting the fishing industry. From improving fishing gear to implementing science-based management, Gala provides a clear picture of what it takes to maintain a healthy balance between conservation and commercial interests.
One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is Gala’s insight into Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). She breaks down how these devices work to attract fish, the environmental risks they pose, and the innovative strategies being developed to minimize their impact — including non-entangling and biodegradable FADs. Gala also discusses the exciting advancements in acoustic technology that are helping fishers identify tuna species more accurately, reducing bycatch and improving fishing efficiency.
This episode offers a powerful look at the intersection of science, policy, and industry in protecting one of the ocean’s most valuable resources. Gala’s expertise highlights the importance of collaboration and data-driven decision-making in shaping the future of sustainable tuna fisheries. Whether you’re passionate about marine conservation or simply curious about where your seafood comes from, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.
International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF): https://www.iss-foundation.org/
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