Pesce spada

Initial Audit Report

CAR Initial

Initial Audit Report

Recertification audit report

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

Xiphias gladius / Swordfish.

                 

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

Data from the lasted IOTC assessment reported that most of Sri Lanka’s fishing vessels are artisanal (< 24m). In addition, it reported that catches from the main fleet of Sri Lanka correspond to 13%, the stock is not overfished and it is not subject to overfishing. The organisation buys 100% of its purchase from small fishing vessels.

 

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.

 

FOS-Wild-standard-V3.1_en.pdf

Car 1

Car 2

Car 3

Car 4

Initial Audit Report

CAR 1 Initial

CAR 2 Initial

Surveillance Audit Report

CAR 1 Surveillance

Initial Audit Report

Ecuador – Purse seine, Long line – Xiphias gladius – FAO 87 (Pacific, Southeast)

Fishery client: TRANSMARINA C.A.
Website: www.transmarina.com
Fishing area: FAO 87, Southeast Pacific.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 9 vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: P-04-00575; P-04-00747; P-04-00827; P-04-00811; P-04-00826; P-04-00853; P-04-00822; P-04-00796; P-04-00788.
Fishing method: Purse seine and Long line.
Certified species: Scientific name: Xiphias gladius;
Common name: Sword.

Management summary
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries of Ecuador (MAGAP) through its subsidiary unit, the Secretariat of Fisheries Resources (Subsecretaría de Recursos Pesqueros, SRP), is the government agency that manages fisheries in Ecuador. The SRP has offices in the main ports of Ecuador, where the tasks of inspection, control and monitoring of fishing activities are regularly conducted at landing harbors. SRP regulates fishing activity by allocating fishing permits both, fishers and vessels, by establishing fishing periods and bans, and by regulating fishing gears, tools, and fishing zones.

Stock status summary
According to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), Swordfish stocks are healthy in the northeastern Pacific and southeastern Pacific. The stocks are not overfished. In addition, the spawning biomass ratio (SBR) is ~1.45, substantially above the level that is expected to produce catch at the level of maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

Bycatch / discards
The fishery is selective and the fishing gear is among the tools applied to prevent accidental catches. There is no evidence of small species, as well as the fishing gear prevents the capture of species less than 1.8kg. The level of discards is 6% of the total catch.

Habitat Impact
According to the auditor, there is no Marine Protected Areas in FAO area 87. The fishery occurs 200 miles from the shore and data fleet is recorded in the logbook. The fishing gears have no hooks and are used in at depths that do not allow damage to the seabed.

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with the human rights and Ecuadorian labour regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformity.

Initial Audit Report

audit report

Fishery client: Lung Soon Fishery Co. Ltd.

Fishing area: FAO Areas 61 – 71 – 77

Fishing vessels: CT7-0544 – IMO 9184005; CT7-0575 – IMO 8648614; CT7-0541 – IMO 9198147

Fishing method: Longline

Certified species: Scientific name / Common name

Thunnus albacares / Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus obesus / Bigeye tuna

Thunnus alalunga / Albacore tuna

Xiphias gladius / Swordfish

Management summary

The fishery is managed under the framework of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the Regional Fisheries Management Organization responsible for the conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

The WCPFC fisheries management system is participatory and transparent. Management decisions are adopted during regular Commission meetings where member countries participate in discussions and decision-making processes.

The WCPFC Rules of Procedure define how Commission meetings are conducted, how members participate in decision-making, and how observers may attend meetings. The procedures allow participation from member states and accredited observer organizations, including stakeholders from the fishing industry and scientific community.

Meeting reports, conservation and management measures, and other relevant documents are publicly available through the WCPFC website, ensuring transparency and stakeholder participation in the fisheries management system.

Stock status summary

WCPFC has developed reports on the stock status of the audited species:

WCPO Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus Albacares) – Stock Status And Management Advice (Sc19 2023 – Stock Assessment Conducted):

The stock is not experiencing overfishing and is not in an overfished condition.

WCPO Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus Obesus) – Stock Status And Management Advice (Sc19 2023 – Stock Assessment Conducted): The stock is very likely not experiencing overfishing and is not in an overfished condition.

WCPO Albacore Tuna (Thunnus Alalunga) – Stock Status And Management Advice (Sc19 2023 – Stock Assessment Conducted):

The stock is likely not overfished and is likely not experiencing overfishing.

WCPO swordfish (Xiphias gladius) – stock status and management advice (sc19 2023 – stock assessment conducted):

For the stock, overfishing is very likely not occurring, and the NP SWO stock is very likely not overfished.

Bycatch/discards

The use of circle hooks is a measure to reduce the capture of non-target species (e.g., sea turtles, sharks) and to minimize discards.

The auditor viewed Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) and Resolutions of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), which contain management measures regarding bycatch.

The fishing vessels record catch, bycatch and discard information for each fishing trip through logbooks and reporting systems required by the fisheries management authorities.

Habitat Impact 

Scientific data and information regarding ecosystem impacts of fisheries are collected and evaluated through international and national fisheries management systems.

Ecosystem assessments consider impacts on non-target species, Endangered, Threatened, and Protected (ETP) species, habitats, and food web interactions. These assessments are based on fisheries statistics, stock assessments, scientific research, and monitoring programs.

Relevant scientific methodologies and results are publicly available through international organizations such as FAO and national fisheries research institutions.

The certified fishing unit operates using pelagic longline fishing gear, which targets highly migratory tuna species in the open ocean.

This fishing method operates in the mid-water column and does not involve contact with the seabed. Therefore, the fishing gear used by the unit of certification does not cause physical damage to seabed habitats such as coral reefs, seamount ecosystems, or other vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs).

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with human rights and labour regulations.

Initial Audit Report

Surveillance Audit Report

Basic description of the fleet/fishery

Fishery client: Leigh Fisheries

Fishing area: FAO 81; Pacific, Southwest – FMA Area 1, 2 and 9.

Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 55vessels.

Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 900855; 15878; 2024; 5876.

Fishing method: Long line.

Certified species:Scientific name / Common name

Xiphias gladius / Swordfish

 

Management summary

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) manages New Zealand’s fisheries under a national fisheries plan. The cornerstone of New Zealand fisheries management is the Quota Management System (QMS). The most targeted species are regularly evaluated, while the bycatch species present a lack of information due to the low level of catches. All vessels maintain a logbook.. A Catch Landing Return (CLR) is recorded at every trip, indicating the target species and bycatches. CLR is delivered to the MPI office at the 15 of every month and it is matched with the declaration of the Licensed Fish Receivers.

 

Stock status summary

According to the MPI, Swordfish is reported as not overexploited and overfished.

 

Bycatch / discards

Bycatch is very low in long line fishing method. The main species caught by accidents are birds and the most common is the Black Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni). The fishing vessels use a Tori line system to scare the birds, reducing catches to negligible numbers. There are no discards, since all fish caught is marketed by the unit of certification. All bycatch is recorded on the CLR.

 

Habitat Impact

The ecosystem impact of the fishery is taken into account in the assessment carried out by MPI. The fleet is just using passive gears that have no impact on seabed. The fishing devices are tagged with different marker buoys, which are set at a certain distance on the ling to prevent the loss of a piece of the line. All the skippers are committed to recover the fishing gears to avoid ghost fishing.

 

Social Accountability performance

The fleet complies with the human rights and labour regulations of New Zealand.

 

Conclusion with reasons for approval

The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformities.

Initial Audit Report

Sri Lanka – Hand line – Xiphias gladius – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: Global sea foods (Pvt) Ltd.
Website: www.gsffish.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Eastern Indian Ocean waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of ___ vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: A-0229 CHW; A-0191 CHW; A-0662 CHW; A-0398 CHW; A-0652 CHW; A-0010 CHW; -A-0833 MTR; A-1348 MTR.
Fishing method: Hand line.
Certified species: Scientific name: Xiphias gladius;
Common name: Sword.

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). The government provides a logbook for each vessel.

Stock status summary
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an Intergovernmental Organisation responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. According to IOTC data, fishing mortality is lower than mortality at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). There are some opinions about the existence of two different stocks. In the case of the southwestern, a precautionary approach has been set by regulating the total amount catchable. The stock of the audited species is not overexploited and overfished.

Bycatch / discards
Bycatch species are not included in the IUCN Red list. The company has given training to skippers and boat owners regarding by catch reduction measures. Discarding percentage is less than 8%. All bycatch is recorded in the logbook. The Earth Island Institute approved the company for Dolphin-Safe certification.

Habitat Impact
All vessels are operating under a swordfish quota system, ranging from 15 to 50 kg. There is no fishing in Protected Marine Areas. In addition, there is no evidence of gears that could damage the seabed. Fishing occurs 300 to 400 km from the coast.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and national labour regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without non-conformities.

Initial Audit Report

Sri Lanka – Hand line – Xiphias gladius – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: Lihini Sea Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Website: www.lihiniseafood.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Eastern Indian Ocean waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 64 vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: A – 0434-KLT; A – 0687-CHW; A – 0611-CHW; A – 0635-CHW; A – 0474-NBO.
Fishing method: Hand line.
Certified species: Scientific name: Xiphias gladius;
Common name: Sword.

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). There is regulation from Local Authority emphasizing only swordfish above 15 kg can be caught. Navy and fisheries Officer monitor logbook data.

Stock status summary
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an Intergovernmental Organisation responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. According to IOTC data, the stock of the audited species is not overexploited and overfished.

Bycatch / discards
The fleet did not usually record information on bycatch and discards. The crew only reported that protected species (e.g., shark, dolphin and turtles), when caught, are released immediately at sea. The auditor identified the attitude as nonconformity. However, the problem has been solved and now the fleet records this data in the logbook.

Habitat Impact
The fleet did not monitor the effect of fishing gear on the seabed. The auditor identified the attitude as nonconformity. However, many references report that the side effect of the use of longline refers to incidental catch, with no effect on the seabed. There is no fishing in Marine Protected Areas, as reported on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) of all vessels.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and national labour regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
Despite of major and minor non-conformities (concerns related to different procedures), the fleet complied with Friend of the Sea requirements. The procedure of non-conformity was closed when the company sent documents showing that the irregularities pointed out by the auditor were being corrected.

Initial Audit Report

Sri Lanka – Long line – Xiphias gladius – FAO 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

Fishery client: VS Seafood (Pvt) Ltd.
Website: www.vsseafood.com
Fishing area: FAO 57, Eastern Indian Ocean waters.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of ___ vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: IMUL –A-0612 CHW; IMUL-A-0102 CBO.
Fishing method: Long line.
Certified species: Scientific name: Xiphias gladius;
Common name: Swordfish.

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). There is regulation from Local Authority emphasizing only swordfish above 20 kg can be caught. There is a quota system for providing license to vessels. Navy and fisheries Officer monitor logbook data.

Stock status summary
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an Intergovernmental Organisation responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. According to IOTC data, fishing mortality is lower than mortality at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The stock of the audited species is not overexploited and overfished. Still, IOTC continuously monitors the stock of the species for data collection and reporting, reducing the uncertainties in the assessments.

Bycatch / discards
Accidental catches are released alive to the sea at the time of the catch. The fleet is keeping records in the logbook and no accidental catches are included in the IUCN Red list. The level of discards does not exceed 8% of the total catch.

Habitat Impact
Each vessel has a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), which is monitored by government authorities in order to control the intrusion of Marine Protected Areas. The fishery occurs approximately 400 to 450 km from the Sri Lanka shore. The long line is used at about 20 meters depth and there are specific bait to reduction of accidental catches and limit to specific catch.

Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and Sri Lankan labour regulations.

Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any non-conformity.