Atlantic bonito

The latest assessment of this fishery was in 2017.

It is unclear how the stock of Atlantic bonito off the Portuguese coast is doing. There is no stock assessment available, but landings have declined over the past five years.

In fisheries using handlines and pole-lines, bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species is negligible. Discards are also virtually zero. The impact on the ecosystem is small, although the catch of baitfish has a moderate impact. The seabed is not damaged.

Management is considered largely effective. There is no stock assessment, but the fishery is subject to strict regulations, such as protected areas, minimum landing sizes, closed seasons and regular checks by observers.

It is unclear how the stock of Atlantic bonito in the Mediterranean Sea is doing. There is insufficient data to assess whether current fishing pressure is sustainable.

Both the tonnara fishery (a type of fyke nets) and the fishery using handlines and pole-lines are highly selective and have little bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species. Discards are also low. Both fishing methods have little impact on the ecosystem and do not cause damage to the seabed. There is little data available on catch composition. Both fishing methods are sustainable choices and, based on the available information, there is no clear preference.

Fisheries management is divided among several international and national organisations. Current management is considered partially effective, and an ecosystem-based approach is still under development.

The latest assessment of this fishery was in 2016.

The status of the stock of Atlantic bonito off the Portuguese coast is unclear. There is insufficient data to assess whether current fishing pressure is sustainable.

In fisheries using shore-operated xávega nets (beach seines), the impact on vulnerable (ETP) species is insufficiently known, although large numbers of small cetaceans are sometimes caught in the nets. Discard rates and mortality are high. The fishery is unlikely to cause significant damage to the ecosystem or seabed. Xávega is a traditional small-scale fishing method, but scores less favourably due to the high discard rate.

The management of this small-scale fishery is considered to be of limited effectiveness. There is insufficient data and no reliable stock assessment to manage the fishery effectively.

It is unclear how the stock of Atlantic bonito in the Mediterranean Sea is doing. There is insufficient data to assess whether current fishing pressure is sustainable.

In fisheries using purse seines, bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species is limited, but a large proportion of the bonito caught have not yet reproduced and the fishery disrupts the food web. In fisheries using  demersal gillnets, bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, sharks and rays, is high, and discard rates are also relatively high. Neither fishing method causes damage to the seabed. Purse seine fishing is preferred because of its much lower bycatch of vulnerable species.

Fisheries management is divided among several international and national organisations. Current management is considered to be of limited effectiveness, and an ecosystem-based approach is still under development.