FishSource

Eastern Atlantic tuna - purse seine (FIP)

Access FIP Public Report

Last Updated: 2023-09-20

Progress Rating: A

Evaluation Start Date: 2017-06-22

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Key Traceability (KT)

Stock Profile Link
Skipjack tuna - Eastern Atlantic Ocean
Bigeye tuna - Atlantic Ocean
Yellowfin tuna - Atlantic Ocean

Comments:

The last stage 4 remains within 12 months of being reported. FIP remains A rated.

1. FIP Development	Oct 17	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 4 October 2017 — MSC pre-assessment
2. FIP Launch	Jun 17	Confirmation of project participants 22 June 2017 — MOU with participants
2. FIP Launch	Oct 17	Workplan made public 4 October 2017 — FIP action plan
3. FIP Implementation	Sep 22	FIP activities undertaken 8 September 2022 — An ISSF jelly-FAD workshop was held in September 2022; a presentation was given on JellyFADs and JellyFAD construction 1 May 2022 — P3 re-assessment conducted which now includes an analysis of flag and coastal states 1 May 2022 — The FIP has produced a position statement ahead of the ICCAT Panel 1 meeting 9 March 2022 — The FIP conducted an observer training in Ghana 31 December 2021 — A CoP has been drafted for Ghana; FIP is awaiting implementation until vessels return to sea following the ICCAT moratorium. 15 November 2021 — Key Traceability attended the ICCAT plenary and panel 1 meetings as a Ghana delegate 1 March 2021 — Technical group meeting held in March 2021; harvest control rules are still undergoing developement 12 October 2020 — ISSF working with Ghana vessels to research and test biodegradable FADs. 1 October 2020 — Principle 3 review; the report explores published and peer-reviewed literature published following the implementation of the FIP in 2018 to justify the completion and closure of Action 20 and 21 24 June 2020 — Observer report produced on OCUP program detailing observer coverage in the fishery for the french fleet 1 June 2020 — Certificate from ATZI has been shared to validate that shark finning is not occurring on the Spanish boats 1 June 2020 — ISSF technical report produced on research activities to reduce FAD structure impacts on the ecosystem 1 February 2020 — Draft best practices document has been produced for responsible tuna purse-seining 1 December 2019 — FAD questionnaires have been sent out to all vessel companies to get a better understanding of FADs used in the fishery for all fleets. 20 November 2019 — Letter to ICCAT sent ahead of 2019 plenary meeting to ask for improved data collection and reporting to ensure complete data sets, which are required for robust stock assessments. 8 July 2019 — The FIP attended the ABNJ project meeting with participants agreeing to take a more active roles in the project 1 January 2019 — Spanish and French fleets have implemented voluntary agreements for the applicaion of good practices to minimise ecosystem impacts of purse seine fishing by reducing mortality of incidental catch of sensitive species and use of non-entangling FADs.
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Jan 23	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 24 January 2023 — A shark finning policy has been implemented prohibiting shark finning across all Ghana vessels. 31 December 2021 — The Ghana flagged vessels now have electronic monitoring fitted by Satlink for monitoring and control purposes
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public