The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an organization managing tuna and related species, including sharks and rays, in the Indian Ocean. This area is home to many shark and ray species, which are increasingly threatened by overfishing. The Shark Trust is now a formal observer of the IOTC, aiming to improve protections for vulnerable species like the Oceanic Whitetip and Hammerhead sharks through better regulations and bycatch mitigation strategies.