Albacore tuna

The albacore stock in the South Pacific is in good condition.

However, there is direct evidence that tuna fisheries using demersal longlines contribute significantly to the threat to ETP species such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as some species of sharks and sea turtles.

Information on discards is limited, but based on the available information, it can be assumed that mortality resulting from discards accounts for approximately 30% of the total catch. The landings consist mainly of tuna species that are not overfished, but the use of bait is high in this fishery (up to 35% of the catch value), and the stock status and origin of the bait are not always known. In addition, all data on catch composition should be treated with caution due to the low observer coverage. In the long term, the fishery is likely to have a negative impact on the local food web.

The fishing gear does not have a negative impact on vulnerable marine habitats or benthic communities, as it is deployed in the pelagic zone. Carbon emissions and the risk of lost fishing gear are moderate.

There are some measures in place to reduce harm to ETP species, bycatch and discard mortality, but their effectiveness is marginal. Measures to prevent the catch of unmanaged species and further ecosystem impacts are largely lacking.

Although the stock is in good condition, the management and ecological impact of this fishery are insufficient and receive a red assessment.

The albacore stock in the North Pacific is in good condition.

In 2023, a full stock assessment was carried out for this tuna. The combined results indicate that it is currently not overfished. There is also no indication that current fishing pressure is changing the stock structure.

The handline fishery here is unlikely to cause significant harm to many ETP species, with a mortality rate of only 5% from discarded bycatch. It is unlikely that this fishery changes the food web or the functioning of the ecosystem, but the impact on baitfish stocks is unknown. Handlines and pole-and-line fishing do not cause harm to benthic habitats. Tuna fishing with handlines and pole-lines produces low greenhouse gas emissions. There is a moderate risk of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear in handline and pole-line fisheries.

Management follows scientific advice, but as long as not all components of the harvest strategy have been implemented or can be monitored, the harvest strategy cannot yet be considered fully evaluated. Basic regulations are currently in place, but these have only marginal effects on the stock. There are also very few measures in place to reduce the extent and impact of abandoned and lost fishing gear on the ecosystem.

Albacore tuna has been MSC(EN) MSC:
Marine Stewardship Council, an independent, international non-profit organization that has developed an eco-label that guarantees well-managed, sustainable fisheries. Fish products that meet the criteria of the eco-label can be identified by the blue MSC logo.-certified since 2007. At the same time, this was also the first tuna fishery in the world to receive the certification. Today, more than 10 albacore tuna fisheries in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are allowed to carry the MSC ecolabel. MSC-certified albacore tuna is mainly caught using longlinesPelagic Longlines:
A fishing method whereby a long main line (40-100 km long) with transverse lines with hooks with bait is expanded. The line floats on buoys in the water column.   and handlinesHandlines and pole-lines:
A collective name for pole lines, jigs and troll lines. Hand lines and pole lines are used on a small scale most of the time and are relatively selective. unwanted by-catch have a high survival rate because they can be thrown back immediately.     and pole-lines.

The stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period.   of albacore tuna in these fishing areas is not being overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term.  . The biomassBiomass:
Biomass is the mass (weight) of living organisms in an area or ecosystem at the time. of this stock is currently above sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs. levels.

Tuna fisheries using handlinesHandlines and pole-lines:
A collective name for pole lines, jigs and troll lines. Hand lines and pole lines are used on a small scale most of the time and are relatively selective. unwanted by-catch have a high survival rate because they can be thrown back immediately.     and pole-lines and pelagicPelagic trawls:
In pelagic trawling, a trawl is pulled through the water column. The net is not towed across the seabed. trawls have very little impact on the ecosystem. These fishing methods come into little contact with the seabed.

ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of albacore tuna in the Atlantic is overseen by ICCATICCAT:
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, an international fisheries organization responsible for the conservation of tuna and tuna species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas.. A lack of robust information and observations at sea pose major problems for the management of this fishery. In addition, current management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed. are still insufficient to minimise bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards).   and prevent illegalIllegal fishing:
Fisheries that do not comply with the established agreements, such as not giving up catches to national authorities, operating without permission or in prohibited/closed zones. Illegal fishing is covered by IUU fishing (Illegal Unreported Unregulated).     fishing. Management of this species is not effective.

The albacore tuna stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period.   is currently not being overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term.   and fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing. in these fishing areas is at sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs. levels. Due to a lack of biological information on albacore tuna in this area, it cannot be said with certainty whether the current fishing pressure is sustainable in the long term.

HandlinesHandlines and pole-lines:
A collective name for pole lines, jigs and troll lines. Hand lines and pole lines are used on a small scale most of the time and are relatively selective. unwanted by-catch have a high survival rate because they can be thrown back immediately.     and pole-lines are unlikely to have significant effects on the ecosystem and other species. This fishing method also does not come into contact with the seabed.

Tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean are managed by the IOTCIOTC:
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, an international organization dedicated to the management of tuna and tuna species in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.. To date, no management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed. are taken to limit catches. In addition, a lack of robust information and observations at sea pose major problems for the managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of this fishery. Management of this species is not effective.

The stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period.   of albacore tuna in these fishing areas is not being overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term.  . The biomassBiomass:
Biomass is the mass (weight) of living organisms in an area or ecosystem at the time. of this stock is currently above sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs. levels.

The tuna fishery with pelagic longlinesPelagic Longlines:
A fishing method whereby a long main line (40-100 km long) with transverse lines with hooks with bait is expanded. The line floats on buoys in the water column.   most likely has a major impact on the ecosystem through bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards).   of endangered and protected species. Although this is less of a problem for the pursePurse seines:
A ring net in which the net is circulated around a school of fish. Then the net is closed and taken in. This is also called 'purse seine'.   seine fishery, there are still high bycatch rates of juvenile tuna in this fishery.

ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of albacore tuna in the Atlantic is overseen by ICCATICCAT:
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, an international fisheries organization responsible for the conservation of tuna and tuna species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas.. A lack of robust information and observations at sea pose major problems for the management of this fishery. In addition, current management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed. are still insufficient to minimise bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards).   and prevent illegalIllegal fishing:
Fisheries that do not comply with the established agreements, such as not giving up catches to national authorities, operating without permission or in prohibited/closed zones. Illegal fishing is covered by IUU fishing (Illegal Unreported Unregulated).     fishing. Management of this species is not effective.

The albacore tuna stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period.   is currently not being overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term.   and fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing. in these fishing areas is at sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs. levels. Due to a lack of biological information on albacore tuna in this area, it cannot be said with certainty whether the current fishing pressure is sustainable in the long term.

The tuna fishery with pelagic longlinesPelagic Longlines:
A fishing method whereby a long main line (40-100 km long) with transverse lines with hooks with bait is expanded. The line floats on buoys in the water column.   most likely has a major impact on the ecosystem through bycatch of endangered and protected species.

Tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean are managed by the IOTCIOTC:
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, an international organization dedicated to the management of tuna and tuna species in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.. To date, no management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed. are taken to limit catches. In addition, a lack of robust information and observations at sea pose major problems for the managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. of this fishery. Management of this species is not effective.

The albacore stock in the North Pacific is in good condition.

In 2023, a full stock assessment was carried out for this tuna. The combined results indicate that it is currently not overfished. There is also no indication that current fishing pressure is changing the stock structure.

The handline fishery here is unlikely to cause significant harm to many ETP species, with a mortality rate of only 5% from discarded bycatch. It is unlikely that this fishery changes the food web or the functioning of the ecosystem, but the impact on baitfish stocks is unknown. Handlines and pole-line fishing do not cause harm to benthic habitats. Tuna fishing with handlines and pole-lines produces low greenhouse gas emissions. There is a moderate risk of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear in handline and pole-line fisheries.

Management follows scientific advice, but as long as not all components of the harvest strategy have been implemented or can be monitored, the harvest strategy cannot yet be considered fully evaluated. Basic regulations are currently in place, but these have only marginal effects on the stock. There are also very few measures in place to reduce the extent and impact of abandoned and lost fishing gear on the ecosystem.

No English Good Fish equivalent found for: ETP. The English term is also ETP, but Good Fish does not have an English dictionary page for it, so I have retained the original reference.