There is some uncertainty regarding the exact status of the bluefin tuna stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. in these areas. However, 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. is thought to be too high and it is likely that this species is 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. .
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.
Bluefin tuna managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured. 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.