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The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Urges Action on Harvest Strategies for Pacific Tuna Stocks

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has issued its position statement for consideration by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) ahead of its 19th regular session from November 27 to December 3, 2022 in Da Nang, Vietnam. ISSF leads its position statement with the urgent call for the adoption of harvest strategies for certain tuna stocks. 

Harvest strategies — which include target and limit reference points together with harvest control rules — provide pre-agreed rules for managing fisheries resources allowing quick action in response to stock status changes. They are crucial for the long term, sustainable management of tuna fisheries. Further, fisheries managers in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) need to adopt this important management method to meet a 2023 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) deadline for harvest strategy conditions. WCPFC otherwise risks running out of time to complete a new requirement under the MSC standard — specifically, introducing catch or effort constraints to ensure the harvest strategy is applied in practice.

Harvest strategies for skipjack and albacore tuna stocks, and interim target reference points for yellowfin and bigeye, are among our top priorities for WCPFC at its annual meeting beginning Nov. 27. Share on X

“WCPFC once led the way on harvest strategies. Today it is falling behind other regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and is now the only tuna RFMO without a harvest strategy in place,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “WCPFC member countries must urgently adopt harvest strategies for Western Pacific skipjack and Northern albacore tuna and accelerate the adoption of one for South Pacific albacore next year. Harvest strategies are the best way to protect tuna fisheries and help sustain the ecosystem and economies that rely on them.”

ISSF is specifically asking WCPFC to:

  • Adopt comprehensive harvest strategies for Western Pacific skipjack and Northern albacore, including harvest control rules
  • Accelerate the development of a harvest strategy for South Pacific albacore that will consider the entire South Pacific stock in the operating models

In addition to harvest strategies, the ISSF position statement outlines further science-based “asks” of the Commission, including:

  • Adopting interim target reference points (TRPs) for yellowfin and bigeye tuna
  • Adopting a definition of biodegradable FADs and categories of biodegradable FADs this year. And by 2023, adopting a FAD marking scheme; FAD ownership rules; rules for activation and deactivation of FAD buoys; a FAD-recovery policy and incentives; a clear transition timeline to using FADs made largely of biodegradable materials; and requiring vessels to report near-time FAD position and acoustic data.
  • Adopting a measure for an electronic monitoring (EM) program and minimum standards for the use of EM by 2023
  • Adopting minimum standard data fields to be collected by observers during transshipment events
  • Requiring that all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached — without exceptions — and prohibiting the use of branchlines of wire trace and shark lines

The full ISSF WCFPC position statement can be read here.

Verifying Sustainability Commitments in the Global Seafood Supply Chain

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

As part of its commitment to foster transparency and accountability in the fishing industry, ISSF engages third-party auditor MRAG Americas to assess ISSF participating seafood companies’ compliance with ISSF conservation measures according to a rigorous audit protocol. ISSF President Susan Jackson sat down with MRAG Americas Vice President Dr. Graeme Parkes to discuss the ISSF audit and compliance process.

 

SSJ: How long has MRAG Americas audited ISSF participating companies’ operations, and what is the value of this continuous engagement?

GP:  We have been providing auditing services to ISSF since 2012, starting with the vessels on the PVR and adding the participating companies’ activities in 2014. This continuous engagement has provided a high level of consistency and stability, without which reliable tracking of progress over time of the program and participants’ grading would be highly challenging. The longevity of the program and resulting uniformity in methodology and implementation have provided enhanced credibility to the auditing process and outcomes.

SSJ: Why is an independent audit an important part of the ISSF audit and compliance process? What is the value of a third-party audit rather than ISSF performing this function internally?

GP: Independent auditing adds value to the ISSF compliance process in several important ways. First and foremost, it adds credibility in a way that an internal audit cannot. Participants and other stakeholders need to have confidence that conformance with ISSF conservation measures is being assessed accurately and consistently. Of course, this can be done internally, but an external, independent process undertaken by a qualified provider with an established track record in rigorous conformity assessment provides a highly visible level of integrity and reliability.

Additionally, our many years of experience in fisheries and supply chain auditing enables ISSF to understand the auditing implications of new conservation measures at an early stage, helping them to grow the program as effectively and efficiently as possible. 

SSJ: From the auditor’s perspective, what are the challenges of auditing seafood companies on multiple measures? Can you explain how MRAG audits a particular commitment?

GP: The auditing challenges arise in part from the number and range of ISSF conservation measures, but also the variety of ISSF participating companies’ sourcing practices. The sourcing of tunas by the companies covers a broad range of species, gear types, geographic regions, and hence RFMO jurisdictions.

Among other things, the audit team needs to be familiar with the differing requirements for fishing licenses, transshipment declarations, captain statements and catch certificates to assess accurately the validity of the documents presented as evidence of conformance. We spend significant time and effort on maintaining audit program consistency. This requires multiple levels of scrutiny by the whole audit team, including reviews of prior audit reports, to ensure uniformity in grading of compliance within and between years. The resulting stability in audit outcomes has helped companies to understand the evidence requirements for audits, that information requests for auditing are fair, and that the program is equitable for all participants.

Traceability audits are a good example to consider. The traceability exercises demonstrate a participating company’s ability to trace its products from can code or sales invoice back to a vessel and trip, enabling our audit to assess its conformance along the supply chain. The auditor reviews recent mock recalls, if available, and selects a sample of can codes or sales invoices by label and destination from which the company will conduct traceability exercises. The traceability exercises also enable the auditor to cross-reference evidence provided in connection with other conservation measures.

SSJ: We hear a lot about “transparency” in the fishing industry today. What does this mean in practice for a process like the ISSF one?   

GP: Transparency is essential to explain how the audits are undertaken and what they show about individual company conformance with the conservation measures. This is why the audit protocols and participating company annual audit reports are publicly available. However, this transparency must be applied with forethought and foresight; it cannot extend to all levels of the program. With much of the detailed information provided for audits being confidential and commercially sensitive, participating companies must have confidence and trust in the independent auditor. They must be assured that while the results of their audit will be made public, irrespective of the audit findings, their proprietary information used in the assessment of conformance remains protected and confidentiality is not compromised.

SSJ: How do insights and findings from audits inform ISSF conservation measures — expanding existing measures, for example, or suggesting a need for additional measures?

GP: Our experience from auditing the ISSF program, and other independent auditing activities, enables us to counsel ISSF regarding the auditability of proposed new conservation measures and amendments to existing ones. However, as independent auditors, we do not advise ISSF on the need for these measures – this is up to the organization itself.

SSJ: Is auditing like this common with sustainable fishing commitments, or is there something unique or important about the ISSF-MRAG model?

GP: The types of conservation measures agreed by ISSF are not unique; they overlap with some of the key requirements of other fisheries sustainability initiatives. But the combination of ISSF’s approach to establishing participating companies’ sustainability commitments with MRAG Americas’ independent conformance assessment using a comprehensive series of audit protocols is ground-breaking.

ISSF is a cross-sector organization that draws on state-of-the-art environmental and scientific expertise to develop conservation measures with which participating companies commit to conform. The sustainability commitments of these companies are consequently meaningful, transparent, and enduring, and there is a high level of cooperation with the independent auditing procedures established by MRAG Americas.

If companies receive non-conformances during their audits, they know there are real consequences, and they are quick to remedy their practices to ensure these non-conformances are mitigated and not repeated. The results have been, and continue to be, transformational in the sustainability performance of the canned tuna supply chain and have the potential to make similarly far-reaching advancements in other seafood sectors.

Newest ISSF Participating Tuna Company Compliance Report Shows 99.6 Percent Conformance with ISSF Conservation Measures

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has released its seventh annual Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report, which shows a conformance rate of 99.6 percent by 25 ISSF participating companies with all 32 ISSF conservation measures in effect. Following the remediation period, 22 of 25 companies were fully compliant with 32 measures audited; one major non-conformance in the April 2022 report was upgraded to a minor non-conformance.  

As part of its commitment to foster transparency and accountability in the fishing industry, ISSF engages third-party auditor MRAG Americas to assess ISSF participating seafood companies’ compliance with ISSF conservation measures according to a rigorous audit protocol.

Our updated compliance report shows a conformance rate of 99.6% by 25 ISSF participating companies with all 32 ISSF conservation measures in effect. Share on X

“The transparent and independent auditing process these companies volunteer to undergo builds a foundation of accountability that makes our conservation measures effective and helps to hold other industry players to high standards,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “ISSF participating companies make sustainability a part of their business operations by individually committing to conservation measures, accelerating continuous improvement for the world’s tuna fisheries.”

Two measures were newly in effect for the 2021 audit period, and all 25 companies were in full conformance with them:

Details of the Updated Report

The November 2022 report is based on updates to the initial annual audit results published in April 2022, which showed one company had one major non-conformances with conservation measures in the prior year and two companies had one minor non-conformance. 

The rate of full conformance for each period since participating-company compliance reporting began is reflected below:

Annual compliance report Update to annual compliance report
June 2015: 79.8% No Update report published in 2015
June 2016: 87.2% November 2016: 95.6%
May 2017: 97.5% November 2017: 100%
June 2018: 97% November 2018: 99%
April 2019: 98.5% November 2019: 99%
April 2020: 99.1% November 2020: 99.4%
April 2021: 99.4% November 2021: 100%
April 2022: 99.6% November 2022: 99.6%

The Update to ISSF Conservation Measures & Commitments Compliance Report is published each November to track ISSF participating companies’ progress in conforming with ISSF conservation measures like these:

In addition to the summary compliance reports published in April and November, MRAG Americas issues individual ISSF participating company reports that detail each company’s compliance with the ISSF conservation measures for the year. If applicable, these will include “update” reports, published throughout the year, that explain how individual companies have remediated any non-conformances on the conservation measures.

More Information on ISSF Conservation Measures & Compliance

For long-term tuna sustainability, tuna companies worldwide choose to participate with ISSF, follow responsible fishing practices, and implement science-based conservation measures. From bycatch mitigation to product traceability, ISSF participating companies have committed to conforming to a set of conservation measures and other commitments designed to drive positive change — and to do so transparently through third-party audits.

View ISSF Conservation Measures

View ISSA Compliance Policy

 

ISSF Urges ICCAT to Improve Tuna Stock Protections and Strengthen FAD Management

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published its position statement in advance of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting November 14-21, 2022. ISSF is advocating for action to ensure that bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks are maintained at sustainable levels.

ISSF also is pushing for expanded FAD management measures, adoption of harvest strategies for western and eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna, stronger management and mitigation measures for sharks, and the development of standards for electronic monitoring and reporting to support more comprehensive observer coverage for Atlantic tuna fisheries.

Find out what we're asking #ICCAT to accomplish for #Atlantic fisheries — from reducing #bigeye and #yellowfin #tuna catches to requiring 100% observer coverage — at its upcoming annual meeting. Share on X

“Many of the issues ISSF raised for ICCAT at this time last year have yet to be fully addressed. For example, catches of bigeye and yellowfin tuna have substantially exceeded total allowable catches (TACs) for years. And because there were no full allocations by fishing gear or by flag State, those members with over-catches could not always be identified,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “This situation must be addressed.”

“In addition, the incomplete submission of required FAD data has persisted since 2014, hindering needed scientific analyses for the development of limits on FAD sets or deployments. The failure to provide these data is unacceptable, and ICCAT must take corrective action. Finally, the development of harvest strategies for all tropical tunas must be accelerated.”  

ISSF Top Priorities for ICCAT 

ICCAT’s 23rd annual meeting has a “hybrid” format for participants and will be conducted both virtually and in person in Vale do Lobo, Portugal. 

In its October 20, 2022, position statement, which can be downloaded in English, French, and Spanish, ISSF shared these leading recommendations with ICCAT:

  • Adopt catch limits that allow bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks to remain at sustainable levels, and ensure that catches are maintained within the Total Allowable Catches (TACs)
  • Adopt in 2022 a timeframe to transition to FADs without nets and made primarily with biodegradable materials; develop FAD recovery policies, marking scheme and ownership rules; and require FAD position and acoustic data for scientific use.
  • Adopt harvest strategies for bluefin tuna in 2022 and accelerate the development of harvest strategies for all tropical tuna stocks in 2023
  • Adopt minimum standards for electronic monitoring by 2023. Require 100% observer coverage (human and/or electronic) for all major ICCAT fisheries, and all vessels engaged in at-sea transshipment by 2024
  • Request that the Compliance Committee address non-compliance with FAD data reporting requirements and develop audit points for ICCAT measures

ISSF Study Reports Slight Decrease in Purse-Seine Vessels Overall, and Fewer Large-Scale Purse-Seine Vessels Fishing for Tropical Tuna Species Globally

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has updated its Large-Scale Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets report for July 2022. The total number of purse-seine vessels, calculated based on data from the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), has decreased slightly from 1,855 in 2021’s report to 1,808 today.

This 3 percent decrease is due to the delisting of several vessels from RFMO authorized vessel records, mainly the Western and Central and Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), as well as changes in the fleets of medium-sized vessels that are no longer on the active list of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). There may be other causes for changes in the number of purse-seine vessels, such as updates to vessel type as reported to RFMOs — for instance, fish carriers and support vessels are sometimes listed as purse seiners and vice versa — or vessels that have sunk or been scrapped.

Since 2021, the number of purse-seine vessels fishing for #tuna — an important marker of #fishing capacity — has decreased 3% globally, mainly due to vessel de-listings by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). Share on X

The report also shows that approximately 642 vessels defined as large-scale purse-seine (LSPS) vessels are targeting tropical tuna species, down 5.3 percent from last year, with a combined fishing capacity of over 834,000 m3 (cubic meters). This fishing capacity measure was larger in 2021, at around 865,000 m3. This reduction is explained for the most part by the number of vessels that are no longer found in RFMO authorized vessels records due to having sunk or been scrapped, for example. A low number of new vessel constructions or new RFMO listings compared to previous years also contributed to the decrease.

About the Report

Having an accurate estimate of active vessels is critical for managing tuna fishing capacity regionally as well as globally. Although purse-seine vessels account for approximately 66 percent of the 5.1-million-ton global tuna catch, the number of purse seiners operating in the various oceans is not available from a single source, and multiple databases must be searched to compile a count of all authorized purse seine vessels.

To provide an annual best estimate — and to track capacity changes from year to year — ISSF analyzes and aggregates information from the five tuna RFMOs and other sources. As the report explains, these figures still may underestimate the total fleet, because many small-scale purse seiners or purse seiners operating in only one exclusive economic zone (EEZ) do not have to be listed on RFMOs’ records of authorized fishing vessels.

Other report findings about the large-scale purse-seine vessels targeting tropical tuna include:

  • About 16 percent of these 642 large-scale vessels are authorized to fish in more than one RFMO, which should be considered in any efforts to manage fishing capacity at a regional level.
  • Among the RFMOs, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) still has the highest number of LSPS registrations (317).
  • The majority of these vessels (489) are registered on the ISSF ProActive Vessel Register (PVR); PVR-registered LSPS represent 76 percent in number and 82 percent in fish hold volume (FHV).

The report also covers purse-seine vessel construction, distribution, and FHV by national flag. It offers recommendations for vessel owners on registration for IMO numbers and for RFMOs on vessel-data collection and management, such as a recommendation to publish lists of active vessels. View the updated report here. View a related infographic here. 

ISSF REPORT: 86% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels; 9% Require Stronger Management

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

Of the total commercial tuna catch worldwide, 86.4% is sourced from stocks at “healthy” levels of abundance, according to the newest International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report. In addition, 9.2% of the total tuna catch came from overfished stocks, and 4.4% came from stocks at an intermediate level of abundance.

Which #tuna stocks worldwide are considered overfished and/or subject to overfishing? Find out in our latest Status of the Stocks report. Share on X

The increase in the overall percentage of the catch coming from stocks at healthy levels of abundance — from 80.5% in the March 2022 report up to 86.4% in the July 2022 update — is mainly attributed to a positive change in the rating of the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) skipjack stock, which represents about 6% of the global tuna catch. In March 2022, the rating for the status of the EPO skipjack stock had been changed from green to yellow due to the lack of a recent stock assessment by the relevant regional fisheries management organization (RFMO), the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). Given the new assessment carried out by the IATTC in May 2022, the rating is being restored to green for the July 2022 report.  

Several tuna stocks are considered overfished and/or subject to overfishing:

  • Indian Ocean yellowfin, Pacific bluefin and Mediterranean albacore stocks are overfished and subject to overfishing.
  • Indian Ocean albacore and bigeye stocks are subject to overfishing.

In terms of management, the main update since the March 2022 report is the inclusion of the new Management Procedure adopted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) for Indian Ocean bigeye tuna.

ISSF publishes its signature Status of the Stocks report multiple times each year using the most current scientific data on 23 major commercial tuna stocks.

Key Statistics in the Report

  • Abundance or “spawning biomass” levels: Globally, 65% of the 23 stocks are at healthy levels of abundance (up from 61% in March), 22% are at an intermediate level, and 13% are overfished.
  • Fishing mortality levels: 74% of the 23 stocks are experiencing a well-managed fishing mortality rate, and 22% are experiencing overfishing.
  • Total catch: The catch of major commercial tuna stocks was 4.9 million tonnes in 2020, about 10% lower than in 2019. 57% was skipjack tuna, followed by yellowfin (30%), bigeye (8%), and albacore (4%). Bluefin tuna accounted for 1% of the global catch.
  • Largest tuna catches by stock: The five largest catches in tonnes, unchanged since the previous report, are Western Pacific Ocean skipjack, Western Pacific Ocean yellowfin, Indian Ocean skipjack, Indian Ocean yellowfin, and Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack.
  • Tuna production by fishing gear: 66% of the catch is made by purse seining, followed by longline (10%), pole-and-line (7%), gillnets (4%), and miscellaneous gears (13%). These percentages have not changed since the previous report.

The Status of the Stocks report is reviewed by the ISSF Scientific Advisory Committee, which provides advice on its content. The report does not advocate any particular seafood purchase decisions.

The Pandemic’s Impact on the Status of the Stocks  

The July 2022 Status of the Stocks is the fifth update of the report since March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the work of the RFMOs. Some RFMOs have issued exemptions to certain monitoring requirements such as observer coverage. As such, the report’s summaries of management measures for the stocks, particularly in relation to observer coverage, may not be completely accurate in reflecting the monitoring that is ongoing during this exceptional period.

The report includes updated catch data and the latest changes to stock status and management as of early July 2022.

About the Report

There are 23 stocks of major commercial tuna species worldwide — 6 albacore, 4 bigeye, 4 bluefin, 5 skipjack, and 4 yellowfin stocks. The Status of the Stocks summarizes the results of the most recent scientific assessments of these stocks, as well as the current management measures adopted by the RFMOs. Status of the Stocks assigns color ratings (green, yellow or orange) using a consistent methodology based on three factors: Abundance, Exploitation/Management (fishing mortality), and Environmental Impact (bycatch).

ISSF produces several Status of the Stocks reports each year to provide clarity about where we stand — and how much more needs to be done — to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna stocks. The Status of the Stocks presents a comprehensive analysis of tuna stocks by species, and the Evaluation of the Sustainability of Global Tuna Stocks Relative to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Criteria provides scores for the stocks and RFMOs based on MSC assessment criteria. The MSC-certified fisheries list (Appendix 2) in Status of the Stocks complements the Evaluation report. Together, these tools help to define the continuous improvement achieved, as well as the areas and issues that require more attention.

In addition, ISSF maintains a data-visualization tool based on its Status of the Stocks report. The “Interactive Stock Status Tool” is located on the ISSF website and accessible through the Status of the Stocks overview page; users can easily toggle through tuna abundance and exploitation health indicators by catch or stock and filter by location and species as well as be informed about the share of total catch by species/stocks and gear types.

ISSF Urges Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries Managers to Protect Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna Stocks, Improve Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Design and Management, and More

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published a position statement ahead of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) annual meeting, which takes place August 1-5, 2022. The statement leads with the request for IATTC to ensure all Commission members are fully implementing the tuna conservation measure for bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks.

Find out what ISSF experts are urging #IATTC to accomplish for #sustainable #fishing at its upcoming meeting. Share on X

“The IATTC demonstrated their commitment to maintaining healthy tuna catches — with bigeye of greatest concern — through the new tuna conservation measures it adopted in 2021,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “We are gratified that the current stock indicators show that bigeye and yellowfin fishing morality has not increased beyond sustainable levels set by the measure and that the interim assessment of skipjack is positive. Now it is essential that all Parties fully implement these measures and cooperate to enhance port sampling that will help maintain skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin stocks at healthy levels into the future.”  

“We urge the IATTC to also address FAD management gaps. For example, IATTC still allows netting in FAD construction, has no agreed definition of biodegradable FADs, and does not have an effective FAD marking scheme or FAD recovery mechanisms,” Jackson continued. “This year especially, the IATTC must, at a minimum, prohibit the use of netting in FADs and act to transition fleets to the increased use of biodegradable FAD materials. Such changes will reduce the impact of FAD fisheries on the marine ecosystem in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.”

The ISSF position statement addresses these top priorities and others:

  • Fully implement C-21-04 so that the status quo fishing mortality for bigeye and yellowfin is not exceeded; and adequately resource and implement the bigeye Individual Vessel Limits Pilot Study during 2022 that will enhance port-sampling to monitor these limits.
  • Prohibit the use of any netting in the construction of FADs and encourage fishers/shipowners to deploy a percentage of FADs mostly made of biodegradable materials from 2023 onwards.
  • Accelerate the management strategy evaluation process for all target tunas.
  • Adopt best practice reforms to C-12-07 to improve the regulation of at-sea transshipment.
  • Establish a work plan to strengthen the Committee for the Review of Implementation of Measures adopted by the Commission’s procedures and outcomes.

Read the full IATTC Position Statement on the ISSF website. A Spanish translation of the statement is available.

How Do We Minimize the Impact of Tuna Fishing on Manta and Devil Rays? Just Ask Fishers.

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, Featured, News.

How do we protect vulnerable species from commercial fisheries? As it turns out, fishers themselves may have some of the best answers.

Manta and devil rays (together referred to as Mobulids) are an incredibly captivating group of large fish species and iconic ocean flagship species. However, these species are experiencing global declines due to accidental capture or “bycatch” in industrial tuna fisheries, including purse seine fisheries.

It’s been estimated that more than 13,000 Mobulids are captured each year by purse seine vessels, and this capture — combined with the bycatch of other tuna fisheries and other threats like wildlife trade for their gill plates, habitat degradation, and entanglement in other types of fishing gear — is driving population declines for these threatened species globally. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Mobulid bycatch by tuna purse seiners is decreasing despite increases in fishing effort in the region — suggesting that these populations may be in decline.

Fisher Observations & Insights

But there may be good news for manta and devil rays.

One recent study showed that improving handling and release methods for Mobulids would be effective for improving their status. In other words, improved practices during fishing operations in the tuna purse-seine fishery could provide serious conservation gains for these vulnerable species. But exactly what methods could reduce their capture and mortality — and how feasible these are onboard tuna vessels — wasn’t known.

Mobulid ray bycatch in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Image: Mobulid bycatch in the Eastern Pacific Ocean tuna purse seine fishery. Cronin et al 2022, ICES Journal of Marine Science

To answer these questions, our team set out to learn straight from those with the most experience: fishers (i.e. captains, deckhands, and navigators) and fishery observers, who experience Mobulid bycatch firsthand.

Over the course of several months, we conducted surveys and focus groups with fishers and other stakeholders who had experience working onboard tuna vessels. We were excited to find that fishers have a huge cache of knowledge about Mobulids and how to reduce their capture and mortality.

One major finding was that Mobulids are more likely to be caught in free-school sets than in Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) sets. They also informed us that Mobulids are sighted by fishers after capture in the net but not yet onboard, suggesting that this is an important time where focused mitigation efforts can improve their chances of survival.

Other ideas brought forth by fishers include the use of homemade “manta grids” (photo below), modifying cargo nets and other onboard equipment, and the potential utility of helicopter pilots and spotters to help vessels avoid Mobulids even before fishing begins.

Bycatch Mitigation Challenges

But though fishers had novel ideas to improve bycatch-mitigation practices for Mobulids, they also identified important challenges that have prevented them from using these practices in the fishery.

One of these challenges was the difficulty of releasing large animals that are too heavy for crew to lift manually. Another was simply the lack of release devices necessary to remove Mobulids, which can be physically difficult to hold.

Fortunately, these obstacles could be solved by developing technology that utilizes existing mechanics onboard the vessel to hoist large animals and ensuring that these and other needed equipment are present on all purse seiners that encounter Mobulids.

Mobuild ray release techniques
Image: Commonly reported handling methods for Mobulids in the tuna purse seine fishery include (a) manual release, (b) stretcher, (c) cargo net, and (d) a modified brailer. Photos courtesy of TUNACONS, published in Cronin et al 2022, ICES Journal of Marine Science.

We also noticed that captains and officers are more likely to be surveying the sea from the vessel deck or the crow’s nest — rather than focused on tasks on the deck — and so more likely to see a Mobulid prior to capture. The fact that these more senior “managerial” crew may identify Mobulids earlier is promising, as, generally, only managerial crew can request to stop fishing operations so that Mobulids can be quickly released.

Collaborative Research Continues

The results of this study were recently published in the journal ICES Journal of Marine Science for a special issue about bycatch, and are the latest update in an ongoing collaborative project funded by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, involving researchers from University of California, Santa Cruz; TUNACONS; the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission; the Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Manta Trust.

Beyond providing practical knowledge about how fisheries can protect Mobulids, this study offers a model of a collaborative approach that harnesses fisher and stakeholder perspectives on bycatch mitigation and the conservation of vulnerable species. Next, our team is working to expand the findings of this work through real-world trials of some of fishers’ ideas. Stay tuned for more as we work together to protect iconic manta and devil rays.

 

Doctoral student Melissa Cronin of the University of California, Santa Cruz, was the Grand Prize winner in ISSF’s International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Seafood Sustainability Contest. She won for her contest entry, “Incentivizing Collaborative Release to Reduce Elasmobranch Bycatch Mortality,” which proposed handling-and-release methods that purse-seine vessel skippers and crew can use to reduce the mortality of manta rays and devil rays incidentally caught during tuna fishing. Ms. Cronin is a Ph.D. candidate in the Conservation Action Lab at UC Santa Cruz studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

The Nature Conservancy’s Ben Gilmer Joins Environmental Stakeholder Committee of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation

Written by svanouse on . Posted in News, Press Releases.

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) announced today that Ben Gilmer, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at The Nature Conservancy, will join its Environmental Stakeholder Committee (ESC). 

“Mr. Gilmer brings deep knowledge and experience in seafood systems and supply chain transparency to our strong cohort of conservation experts on the ESC,” said ISSF President Susan Jackson. “His record at The Nature Conservancy on transparency initiatives across the global fishing industry is strong, and we look forward to having his expert perspective on the Committee.” 

Ben Gilmer, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at The Nature Conservancy @nature_org, has joined the ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee. Share on X

Ben Gilmer serves as Associate Director of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at The Nature Conservancy, where he is focused on seafood transparency initiatives in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. In this role, Mr. Gilmer supports governments and companies with policy and program development, partnerships, technology innovation, and fishery improvement project implementation.

He most recently served as CEO of Stuart Land & Cattle Company, a diversified agriculture company in Southwest Virginia, and founded Refresh Appalachia, a social enterprise that provided on-the-job training in sustainable agriculture to disadvantaged workers in the coalfields of Central Appalachia. Mr. Gilmer previously worked as a sustainability consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank and other clients and was a member of TNC’s Global Oceans team.

Mr. Gilmer has more than 15 years’ experience working in environmental conservation and food systems. His specialties include fisheries, agriculture, climate, technology, and community development. He has a Master’s degree from West Virginia University and a Bachelor’s degree from Radford University. 

About the ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee 

The ESC comprises expert representatives from various conservation organizations who volunteer to share their expertise. The ESC, much like ISSF’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), provides advice to the ISSF Board of Directors on issues to consider before taking action on specific sustainability efforts, including the adoption of ISSF conservation measures.

The ESC members are: 

  • Sonja Fordham, Founder, Shark Advocates International
  • Ben Gilmer, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, The Nature Conservancy
  • Bill Holden, Chair, ISSF Environmental Stakeholder Committee | Senior Tuna Fisheries Outreach Manager, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
  • Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly, Vice President, Global Ocean Initiatives, Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Sara Lewis, Traceability Division Director, FishWise
  • Dr. Vishwanie Maharaj, Lead, Tunas and Other Multilateral Fisheries, World Wildlife Fund-US
  • Dr. Alexia Morgan, Science Lead, Tuna and Large Pelagic Species, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP)
  • Dr. Tom Pickerell, Executive Director, Global Tuna Alliance

ISSF on IOTC: Indian Ocean Fisheries Managers Miss the Mark on Yellowfin, Skipjack Tuna, and Strengthening FAD Management, But Make Progress for Bigeye, Electronic Monitoring and Transshipment

Written by svanouse on . Posted in Blogs, News.

ISSF joined a chorus of sustainable fisheries stakeholders in calling for immediate action to rebuild the overfished yellowfin stock at the recent Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) annual meeting. The protection of yellowfin tuna was priority number one. 

Unfortunately, the IOTC failed to answer this urgent call. The Commission did not reach agreement on amendments to its yellowfin resolution — amendments that were necessary to give full effect to the scientific advice to ensure an effective and enforceable rebuilding plan and secure the long-term sustainable management of overfished yellowfin. The IOTC disregarded its Scientific Committee’s recent guidance on action needed to prevent further declines in the stock.  

By not amending its yellowfin measure, the Commission is perpetuating a situation that can only accelerate further stock decline. Some IOTC parties have made the required yellowfin catch reductions called for in the existing measure. Other parties have increased their yellowfin catches. And still other parties, in objecting to the measure, insist that catch limits do not apply to them. The existing measure, even if fully implemented, would not be sufficient.

In a further blow to tuna conservation, the IOTC also failed to fulfill its responsibility in managing skipjack tuna. Specifically, the Commission did not agree on the skipjack catch reductions necessary to implement the annual quota resultant from its harvest control rule. As a result, skipjack catches may persist in exceeding agreed-to annual catch limits, putting the currently healthy stock at further risk.

Strengthened FAD management in the Indian Ocean was another top ask for ISSF and its stakeholders ahead of the IOTC annual meeting. Advancement in this area was stymied, too. The Commission did not agree to enhanced FAD management provisions that were in line with recommended, science-based best practices — practices like accelerating the transition towards biodegradable FADs to reduce the environmental impacts of traditional FADs; requiring the submission of important FAD data essential for science and compliance; and establishing FAD marking rules. This year marks the second consecutive year that IOTC failed to make headway on better managed FADs, even though meaningful proposals were tabled. The need for these FAD improvements is clear, and IOTC’s lack of progress on them remains unacceptable.

Progress for Bigeye Management and Electronic Monitoring

While it’s difficult to look past these missteps on yellowfin and skipjack tuna and FAD management, we acknowledge that the IOTC did act on some critical issues. Here’s how the Commission advanced other topics where action was needed:  

  • The IOTC adopted a much-needed management procedure for bigeye tuna. Management procedures (also called harvest strategies) — which include target and limit reference points, together with harvest control rules — provide pre-agreed rules for acting on stock status changes when managing fisheries resources. If effectively implemented, a management procedure for bigeye gives the IOTC an essential tool to ensure the long-term sustainable management of this key tuna resource.
  • The IOTC took a positive step toward using Electronic Monitoring (EM) to achieve its observer coverage rates, an area in which the Commission lags far behind other tuna RFMOs — for example, the IOTC still does not require 100% observer coverage on purse seine vessels. The IOTC agreed to allow the use of EM on fishing vessels, rather than human observers only, to meet its 5% observer coverage requirement. And the Commission set a clear deadline in requiring the development of minimum standards for the use of EM by 2024. Although a good step, the next and urgent one should be to increase observer coverage on all vessels. ISSF commits to continued work with the IOTC EM Working Group to ensure the success of these improvements, which are essential to effective fisheries management and compliance monitoring.
  • The IOTC tightened its regulation of at-sea transshipment in the Indian Ocean. The Commission strengthened its at-sea transshipment resolution to include enhanced inspections in port, as called for in the FAO Port States Measures Agreement, the accepted guide to best practices in minimizing IUU activities in fisheries. ISSF welcomes this progress in combating IUU fishing activity in the region through enhanced port State controls.

While important, these wins for stronger management do not overcome the inaction for yellowfin tuna stocks, skipjack tuna, and enhanced FAD management. The indecision in those areas is especially egregious considering that for over a year, consistent and urgent pleas from countless fisheries stakeholders have been issued on these topics. Political will from all players has been and continues to be severely lacking.  

ISSF is committed to the long-term sustainable use of valuable Indian Ocean tuna resources. ISSF urges all IOTC parties to adhere to the current rebuilding plan and work collaboratively to urgently develop a more robust and enforceable measure that fully implements the scientific advice.