Tuna
Nero di Sole
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Species scientific name: Thunnus albacares
FAO area: 34
Fishing method: pole and line
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Frabelle Fishing Corporation
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Species scientific name: Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus
FAO area: 71
Fishing method: purse seine
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Leal Santos
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Fishery description
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Species scientific names: Katsuwonus pelamis,Thunnus albacares,Thunnus alalunga
FAO area: 41
Fishing method: Pole and line
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Fishery description
Basic description of the fleet/fishery
Fishery client: Indústrias Alimentícias Leal Santos Ltda.
Fishing area: FAO 41; Atlantic, Southwest.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 7 vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 4610036771; 4610037033.
Fishing method: Pole and Line.
Certified species: scientific name / common name
Katsuwonus pelamis / Skipjack Tuna, Thunnus albacares / Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus alalunga / Albacore
Management summary
The Fisheries Secretary regulates the fisheries in Brazil, issuing fishing permits, fishing seasons, fishing quotas (when applicable) and registering the companies. The fishing vessels are real time monitored. Important scientific sources are available to direct fisheries management, such as data from Infofish, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). In addition, Leal Santos has an agreement with the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) in which the company provides data on its fisheries and the University conducts research studies that are used as guidelines.
Stock status summary
According to the most recent ICCAT stock assessments, the stocks of the three species are not overexploited and overfished. ICCAT recommendations are taken into consideration by the management of the company.
Bycatch / discards
Pole and line is used from 5 up 90 miles from the coast, with very low impact, since it is a selective fishing method. Bycatch, whenever occurs, is recorded in the logbooks and unloading reports.
Habitat Impact
Pole and line is a selective fishing method, which causes low impact on ecosystem. In addition, the purse seine fishing, which is done to capture baits, is performed in deep oceanic areas without touching the seabed.
Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Brazilian labour regulations.
Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformities.
Tropic Fishery (PVT) LTD
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Fishery description
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus
FAO area: 57
Fishing method: Long line
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Fishery description
Basic description of the fleet/fishery
Fishery client: TROPIC FISHERY (PVT) LTD, Sri Lanka.
Fishing area: FAO 57, Indian Ocean.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 16 vessels.
Vessels audited remotely: Li-IMUL-A-0036CBO; Li-IMUL-A-0046MTR; Li-IMUL-A-0068TCO; Li-IMUL-A-0098MTR.
Fishing method: Long line.
Certified species: scientific name / common name
Thunnus albacares / Yellowfin Tuna (YFT), Thunnus obesus / Bigeye Tuna (BET)
Management summary
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development (MFARD) is the agency that manage fisheries in Sri Lanka. Fisheries activities are planned, administrated and monitored under the guidance of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR). In addition, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), an intergovernmental organisation, is responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Fisheries management organisations are held annually, along with intermittent meetings with the scientific committee meeting, technical committee meeting and compliance committee meeting.
Stock status summary
The stock of both species are managed by IOTC. Most of Sri Lanka’s fishing vessels are artisanal (<24m) and the organisation buys 100% of its purchase (YEF and BET) from these small fishing vessels. According to the IOTC Executive summary on YFT, the average catch of Sri Lanka’s main fleet is 9%. Likewise, according to the IOTC Executive summary on BET, the stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing.
Bycatch / discards
The fishing gear used is the Deep-set Long line, which reduces the by-catch percentage. The logbook is used in all vessels and data are available on the DFAR and IOTC website. Evidence of minimal by-catch (targeted as incidental catch; there is no records of turtles and sharks). All fish caught, including by-catch and discards, are used for human consumption.
Habitat Impact
Currently, encouraged by government actions to reduce gill net fishing, most of the fishing are done by Long line. This fishing method has been selected so that the endangered species is not caught (> 100m depth Longline Deep-set). No degradation of seabed.
Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Srilankan regulations.
Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformities.
Panofi Co. Ltd
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Fishery description
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Katsuwonus pelamis
FAO area: 34
Fishing methods: Purse seine
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Fishery description
Basic description of the fleet/fishery
Fishery client: Panofi Company Limited, Ghana.
Fishing area: FAO 34, Atlantic Eastern Central.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 8 vessels.
Vessels audited: Panofi Discoverer AFT 94, Panofi Master AFT 76, Panofi Fore Runner AFT 95
Fishing method: Purse Seine.
Certified species: scientific name / common name
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) YFT, Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) SKJ, Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) BET
Management summary
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is the competent regional organization for fisheries management in the region (FAO area 34), responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean. The stocks are assessed by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) which makes recommendations to ICCAT.
Stock status summary
The stock of the certified species is managed by ICCAT. The stock of the species can be certified because they are neither overexploited nor overfished.
Bycatch/discards
The captain of the vessel has already formed lists of prohibited species, and always tries to return species caught accidentally to survival. The fishing log contains all the information (accidental fishing, discard, etc), the percentage of discard is still negligible given the strong demand for fish by the market local does not exceed 1%.
Onboard observer reports are communicated to the authority in a way official also assistance at the time of unloading allows for confirming all information in the fishing log.
Habitat Impact
Seine fishing does not affect the sea bottom always in full water, the maximum depth is 180 m.
Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with human rights and Ghanaian regulations.
Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformities.
Frescomar SARL
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Fishery description
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus alalunga, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus obesus
FAO area: 34
Fishing method: Pole and line
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Fishery description
YF, BE, SJ Tuna – Purse seine & Long line fleets – FAO 34
Species: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Katsuwonus pelamis
Gear type: Purse seine, long line
Fishing Area: FAO Area 34, Atlantic Eastern Central
Fishery management: The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO area 34), responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean. The stocks are assessed by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) who makes recommendations to ICCAT.
Stock Status: According to the ICCAT (2015), the stock of bigeye tuna (BE) is estimated to be overfished and overfishing is occurring. The ratio of F2014/FMSY was estimated at 1.28. Estimates of Fcurrent/FMSY from the model ranged from 0.62 to 1.85. The ratio of spawning biomass B2014/BMSY was estimated at 0.67. Estimates of Bcurrent/BMSY from the model ranged from 0.48 to 1.20. The estimate of MSY is 78,800 tonnes (range: 67,700 to 85,000 tonnes). MSY has been reduced considerably through harvest of small bigeye. Current catches (79,600 tonnes) are above MSY.
The most recent full assessment of yellowfin tuna (YF) was carried out by SCRS in 2016. The ratio of F2014/FMSY is estimated at 0.77 (range 0.53-1.05), indicating that overfishing is not occurring. The (2014) ratio of spawning biomass Bcurrent/BMSY is estimated at 0.95 (range 0.71-1.36). This indicates that the stock in 2014 is in a slightly overfished state. The SCRS notes that the two main groups (clusters) of abundance indicators used in the models show conflicting trends in the last few years: An increasing trend in biomass with one, and a constant relative abundance since 1990 with the other. The estimate of MSY is 126,300 tonnes (range 119,100-151,300). MSY is lower than in previous decades because the overall fishery selectivity has shifted towards smaller yellowfin, mainly through fishing on FADs. Current catch (108,900 t) is below MSY.
The stock of skipjack tuna (SJ) was assessed by SCRS in 2014, using data up to 2013. The ratio of Fcurrent/FMSY is likely below 1.0, indicating that overfishing is not occurring. The ratio of spawning biomass Bcurrent/BMSY is likely above 1.0, indicating that the stock is not in an overfished state. The value of MSY is probably higher than previously estimated (143,000-170,000 tonnes).
Habitat impact: The fishing gears used (i.e. pole and line and purse seine) do not interact with the seabed, hence the fishing activities do not damage the marine habitat.
Bycatch and discards: Accidental catches are very rare and include blue runner, trigger fish, wahoo, barracuda and marlin. These are released alive when possible otherwise bycatch is recorded on logbooks.
Discards are less than 0.1% of the total catch.
References:
ICCAT https://www.iccat.int/en/
ISSF. 2016. ISSF Tuna Stock Status Update, 2016: Status of the world fisheries for tuna. ISSF Technical Report 2016-05B. International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, Washington, D.C., USA.
JP Fresh Products
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares
FAO area: 57
Fishing method: long line
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John Seafood
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares
FAO area: 57
Fishing method: long line
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Nuevo Fresco Marine Trading Corporation
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Fishery description
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Species scientific name: Thunnus albacares
FAO area: 71
Fishing method: Hand line
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Fishery description
Philippines-Yellowfin tuna – Hand line – FAO 71
Species: Thunnus albacares
Gear type: Hand line
Fishing Area: FAO Area 71 Pacific Southwest
Fishery management: The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 71). WCP Ocean stocks are assessed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Communities and the results are reviewed by the scientific committee, which makes recommendations to the WCPFC.
The Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also conducts stock assessment studies through the National Stock Assessment Program and releases annual fishery data through the Philippines Fisheries Profile.
The Philippines, as a member of the WCPFC, adheres to conservation and management measures in mitigating the impacts of tuna fishing on non-target species and prohibition of fishing on data buoys.
Stock status: The Western and Central Pacific yellowfin tuna stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, based on 2016 data.
The latest (2012) estimates of spawning biomass for yellowfin tuna are above the level that supports MSY. Current (2015) catches are below MSY and overfishing is not occurring.
Habitat impact: The fleet uses pelagic hand lines that do not interact with the seabed and the benthic communities, hence its impact on the habitat is not significant.
Bycatch: Hand line is a highly selective gear with negligible bycatch. Accidental bycatch consists in marine mammals, turtles, dolphins and sharks. These are considered illegal catch and are returned to the sea when caught. Furthermore, hand line fishing uses barbless hooks that allow accidentally caught animals to have a higher chance of survival when returned at sea.
Hand line tuna fishery in the Philippines catches about 15% of non-target species including marlin, swordfish and sailfish that have economic value and are not discarded.
Discards: Discards are reported at landing by individual boat owners. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, through the National Stock Assessment Program, collects landings data for the National Statistics and fisheries management and to be integrated into the catch report submitted to WCPFC as part of the obligation of the Philippines as member of the Commission.
Discards in hand line tuna fishing is negligible (<1% of the total catch) as most of accidental bycatch is sold to the local market for human consumption.
References
ISSF. 2016. ISSF Tuna Stock Status Update, 2016: Status of the world fisheries for tuna. ISSF Technical Report 2016-05B. International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, Washington, D.C., USA.
WCPFC. 2016. Executive Summary of the Twelfth regular session of the Scientific Committee. Bali, Indonesia, 3-11 August 2016.
WCPFC. 2016b. Estimates of annual catches in the WCPFC statistical area. Document WCPFC-SC12-2016/ST IP-01.
Tenpoint Manufacturing Corporation
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Fishery description
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Species scientific name: Thunnus albacares
FAO area: 71
Fishing method: Hand line
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Fishery description
Philippines-Yellowfin tuna – Hand line – FAO 71
Species: Thunnus albacares
Gear type: Hand line
Fishing Area: FAO Area 71 Pacific Southwest
Fishery management: The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO Statistical Area 71). WCP Ocean stocks are assessed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Communities and the results are reviewed by the scientific committee, which makes recommendations to the WCPFC.
The Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also conducts stock assessment studies through the National Stock Assessment Program and releases annual fishery data through the Philippines Fisheries Profile.
The Philippines, as a member of the WCPFC, adheres to conservation and management measures in mitigating the impacts of tuna fishing on non-target species and prohibition of fishing on data buoys.
Stock status: The Western and Central Pacific yellowfin tuna stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, based on 2016 data.
The latest (2012) estimates of spawning biomass for yellowfin tuna are above the level that supports MSY. Current (2015) catches are below MSY and overfishing is not occurring.
Habitat impact: The fleet uses pelagic hand lines that do not interact with the seabed and the benthic communities, hence its impact on the habitat is not significant.
Bycatch: Hand line is a highly selective gear with negligible bycatch. Accidental bycatch consists in marine mammals, turtles, dolphins and sharks. These are considered illegal catch and are returned to the sea when caught. Furthermore, hand line fishing uses barbless hooks that allow accidentally caught animals to have a higher chance of survival when returned at sea.
Hand line tuna fishery in the Philippines catches about 15% of non-target species including marlin, swordfish and sailfish that have economic value and are not discarded.
Discards: Discards are reported at landing by individual boat owners. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, through the National Stock Assessment Program, collects landings data for the National Statistics and fisheries management and to be integrated into the catch report submitted to WCPFC as part of the obligation of the Philippines as member of the Commission.
Discards in hand line tuna fishing is negligible (<1% of the total catch) as most of accidental bycatch is sold to the local market for human consumption.
References
ISSF. 2016. ISSF Tuna Stock Status Update, 2016: Status of the world fisheries for tuna. ISSF Technical Report 2016-05B. International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, Washington, D.C., USA.
WCPFC. 2016. Executive Summary of the Twelfth regular session of the Scientific Committee. Bali, Indonesia, 3-11 August 2016.
WCPFC. 2016b. Estimates of annual catches in the WCPFC statistical area. Document WCPFC-SC12-2016/ST IP-01.
Calvopesca El Salvador
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Katsuwonus pelamis
FAO areas: 34, 41, 47, 71, 77, 81, 87
Fishing method: Purse seine
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Transmarina C.A.
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Fishery description
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus alalunga
FAO area: 87
Fishing methods: Purse seine and long line
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Fishery description
Ecuador – Tuna – Purse seine & Long line fleets – FAO 87
Species: Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus alalunga
Gear type: Purse seine, long line
Fishing Area: FAO Area 87 Pacific Southeast
Fishery management: The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) is the competent regional organisation for fisheries management in the region (FAO area 87), responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other marine resources in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). EPO stocks are assessed by the IATTC staff, who makes recommendations to the IATTC. The Scientific Advisory Committee can also make recommendations to the IATTC.
Stock Status:
According to the IATTC, the fishing mortality rate for Skipjack and Bigeye stock is below FMSY. For the Yellowfin tuna, the fishing effort is estimated to be below the level that would support the MSY. Skipjack and bigeye biomasses are above BMSY. There is uncertainty about recent levels of recruitment and biomass of yellowfin tuna, although it is estimated that, if fishing effort is maintained at the present levels, both spawning biomass and catches are predicted to increase.
According to the most recent stock assessment (2012), the fishing mortality reference point for albacore tuna in the South Pacific is estimated to be at low risk of overfishing. The total biomass has been reduced to around 82% (62%–93%) of unfished levels, while the spawning biomass (mature females) has been reduced to 63% (35%–80%) of unfished levels. Both of these are considered moderate levels of depletion. The ratios of the current total biomass and spawning biomass to that needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (Bcurrent/BMSY = 1.6 (1.4–1.9) and SBcurrent/SBMSY = 2.6 (1.5-5.2)) are both above 1.
Bycatch: The fleet follows procedures to prevent bycatch of endangered species. Endangered species accidentally caught are released alive. Independent monitors operate onboard each approved vessel.
The most commonly bycaught species by purse seiners and longliners are mahi mahi (Coryphaena hyppurus), swordfish (Xiphias gladius), and blue shark (Prionace glauca).
According to the most updated assessment (2014), the fishing mortality rate of blue shark was around 34% of that needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (ISC 2014b). Therefore overfishing is not occurring.
Fishing mortality rates for mahi mahi in the EPO are not known, but the IATTC is in the beginning stages of assessing them. IUCN does not consider there to be any major threats to mahi mahi from commercial fishing (College et al. 2011). Preliminary analysis for the planned assessment of mahi mahi in the EPO shows variable but somewhat steady catch per unit effort trends in abundance (IATTC 2013).
Swordfish stocks are healthy in the northeastern Pacific and southeastern Pacific, as the stocks are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring and biomass is greater than the biomass at which maximum sustainable yield is produced.
References:
IATTC, Stock Assessment Report 16 https://www.iattc.org/StockAssessmentReports/StockAssessmentReport16ENG.htm
ISSF. 2016. ISSF Tuna Stock Status Update, 2016: Status of the world fisheries for tuna. ISSF Technical Report 2016-05B. International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, Washington, D.C., USA.
IATTC SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2ND MEETING La Jolla, California (USA) 9-12 May 2011 Michael G. Hinton and Mark N. Maunder.
Sapmer SA
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Fishery description
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Species scientific names: Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus obesus
FAO areas: 51, 57
Fishing method: Hand line
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Fishery description
Sapmer-YF, BE, SJ tuna-Purse seine-FAO 51,57
Company Requesting the Audit: Sapmer
Approved Target Species: Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus obesus
Fishing Method: Purse seine
Fishing Area: FAO 51 and 57
Stock Status: Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye tuna are all considered Not Overexploited by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/sc/IOTC-2011-WPTT13-R[E].pdf
Discard: Level of discard is much less than 8% and bycaught species are not listed in the IUCN Redlist as vulnerable or worse
Habitat Impact: Fishing methods do not impact the seabed or critical habitat.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zQl_QNyfa0&feature=youtu.be
Ensis Fisheries PVT Ltd
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Species scientific name: Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis
FAO area: 51
Fishing method: Hand line
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