FishSource

Eastern Atlantic Ocean tuna - pole & line (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-12-06

Progress Rating: C

Evaluation Start Date: 2019-07-17

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Thai Union (TU), Youssef Jaridi (YJ)

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

Comments:

The last stage 4 result is now between 12-24 months old with recent stage 3 progress reported within the past 6 months. The FIP drops to C.

1. FIP Development	Aug 17	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 August 2017 — Senegal pole and line tuna scoping document
2. FIP Launch	Jul 19	Confirmation of project participants 17 July 2019 — List of participants
2. FIP Launch	Mar 20	Workplan made public 1 March 2020 — Updated 2020 workplan 7 July 2019 — Senegal pole and line tuna preassessment work plan
3. FIP Implementation	Nov 23	FIP activities undertaken 1 November 2023 — Bio-FAD trials are underway; a final workshop will be held to discuss viable bio-FAD designs. 1 October 2023 — The FIP produced a position paper ahead of the 2023 ICAAT meeting. 1 September 2023 — The FIP has conducted an analysis of observer data from 2019-2022; the analysis demonstrates that bycatch is minimal. 13 June 2023 — The FIP continues to make progress and move toward 100% biodegradable FADs; 20 BioFADs were shipped to Senegal in August 2023 and trials are set to begin in Fall 2023. 23 November 2022 — The FIP is working with CRODT to analyze observer data collected onboard bait boats between 2020-2022; the analysis work remains ongoing. 1 October 2022 — The FIP sent a letter to the delegates of coastal states ahead of the commission meeting to encourage additional support for measures that will further tuna conservation. 9 June 2022 — FAD update report produced; the FIP is behind on BioFAD progress because of the delay in renewing their fishing license in 2022. Trials will commence once BioFADs are deployed- no FADs are currently in use 25 March 2022 — Joint committee meeting held in spring 2022; meeting attendees discussed issues that have arose out of the non-renewal of fishing licenses for pole and line vessels (license restored June 2022) 16 December 2021 — FIP held a biogradeable FAD workshop with vessel owners and captains in Q4 2021; workshop agenda and certificates made available. 1 November 2021 — Paper on ICCAT harvest strategies for tropical tuna species has made an updated revised draft available; bigeye stock assessment has informed new management strategies for the species 14 May 2021 — FIP continues to work with FAD manufacturer to develop biodegradable FADs that can begin trials shortly 7 February 2021 — Small Pelagics Working Group interim meeting held 1 December 2020 — Position paper produced 1 August 2020 — FIP is working with CRODT to look at available data and establish the information relating to the bait used by the tuna vessels 1 July 2020 — FIP has produced FAD questionnaire to share with participating vessels 2 April 2020 — Ecological risk assessment for the impact of the Senegal-based tuna pole-and-line fishery on species used as live bait conducted 1 March 2020 — Information paper drafted on ICCAT harvest strategies for tropical tuna species 25 November 2019 — The FIP was represented at the 26th meeting of ICCAT in Majorca and had bilateral meetings with Senegal and Ghana 13 November 2019 — The FP co-authored a letter to ICCAT highlighting data collection and reporting needs 1 November 2019 — The FIP produced a draft report on bait fish practices and information and the small pelagic fishery in the Baie of Han in Senegal.
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Oct 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 20 October 2022 — Increase to PI 2.5.2; a partial strategy is in place for managing the impact of the fishery on bait fish. 2 October 2021 — Increase to PI 2.5.3; Tuna removals by the UoA are small compared to the total removals of tuna stocks 10 February 2021 — Increase to PI 1.2.1; updated pre-assessment made available. There is no formal HCR for FIP species but ICCAT has general requirement in place 10 February 2021 — Increase to PI 2.2.3; updated pre-assessment made available. MSC score was increased to ≥80 because quantitative information was sufficient to perform a PSA. 27 May 2020 — The tuna fishery does not interact with habitats; Live bait fishing may have interacted with the habitats of the Bay of Hann but not now following its recent incorporation into a protected area (AMP Gorée) and live bait fishing has been moved outside this area
5. Improvements on the Water	Oct 22	Verifiable improvement on the water 20 October 2022 — Increase to PI 2.5.1; a partial strategy is in place for managing the impact of the fishery on bait fish. 29 July 2021 — Update PI score 1.1.1 (bigeye stock assessment) 10 February 2021 — Increase to PI 1.1.2; updated pre-assessment made available. TAC has been adjusted downwards to 65,000t
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public