This paper reviews the current management of tuna fisheries by the five tuna regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), which focus on the management of target species in the light of international standards and modern expectations for fisheries management. The paper demonstrates that the scientific advice for the management of tuna stocks is not generally followed, at least not on a timely basis. The underlying issues that account for the failure of RFMOs to meet global standards and expectations are discussed and rights-based management systems are advanced as a means of addressing some of the management shortcomings.