IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group

Group leadership

Dr Bruce COLLETTE

Mr Maria Jose JUAN JORDA

Dr. Juan-Jordá is a Senior Researcher at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC). As a marine ecologist and fisheries scientist, her research focuses on understanding and addressing the key drivers affecting fisheries sustainability, particularly for highly migratory species such as tunas, billfishes, and sharks, to ensure the long-term use and conservation of marine biodiversity. Through collaborative efforts, she develops ecosystem-based tools and products to support the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). Her work directly supports scientific, advisory, and management organizations at European (DG MARE) and international levels (RFMOs, FAO, and IUCN) contributing to sustainable fisheries management.

To increase awareness of the status and conservation of the world's tuna and billfish species, the IUCN SSC Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group brings together a variety of stakeholders.

Specialist Group work

Reassessments of the world’s tunas and billfishes will greatly improve and consolidate the current state of knowledge of these species around the globe. Many national fisheries management organisations are relying on this data to inform and update current policies and management recommendations.

Conservation Assessments

To inform conservation efforts, the Tuna & Billfish Specialist Group assesses species for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2019, TBSG completed reassessments for 51 scombrids and 10 billfishes.