FishSource

Pacific Ocean tropical tuna - purse seine (US Pacific Tuna Group) (FIP)

Last Updated:

Progress Rating: A

Evaluation Start Date: 2019-11-22

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: WWF USA (WU), Key Traceability (KT), US Pacific Tuna Group (UPTG)

Stock Profile Link
Bigeye tuna - Eastern Pacific Ocean
Yellowfin tuna - Eastern Pacific Ocean
Yellowfin tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Bigeye tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Skipjack tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Skipjack tuna - Eastern Pacific Ocean

Comments:

FIP has transitioned to an independent website. Historical reports by the FIP are listed on https://fisheryprogress.org/fip-profile/pacific-ocean-tropical-tuna-purse-seine-us-pacific-tuna-group.

FIP has published a new management measure for skipjack tuna and has also published an ETP policy. The FIP remains A rated.

1. FIP Development	Mar 19	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 28 March 2019 — MSC pre-assessment
2. FIP Launch	Mar 22	Confirmation of project participants 1 March 2022 — Workplan updated for 2022 13 June 2018 — MoU of participants
2. FIP Launch	Nov 19	Workplan made public 22 November 2019 — FIP workplan
3. FIP Implementation	Nov 22	FIP activities undertaken 1 November 2022 — The FIP put forth a position statement ahead of the 2022 WCPFC position statement 14 September 2022 — SPC jelly-FAD Project is underway; A letter of agreement has been signed by all project participants 1 August 2022 — Resolution C-12-07 has been amended to establish a transshipment program for large-scale fishing vessels 1 July 2022 — The FIP is working with ISSF on a project to develop "manta grid" bycatch mitigation technology designed for the fast release of incidental ray capture. 17 September 2021 — Email sent to USPTG from SPC acknowledging and thanking their fleet for supporting the SPC Tuna Tagging Program 23 August 2021 — The FIP submitted a joint USPTG/WWF position statement to the IATTC Commission. The FIP advocated to establish TRPs and LRPs, adopt a HCR and support the further implementation of CMM 2014-06 to develop harvest strategies. 11 August 2021 — USPTG vessels participated in a FAD Retrieval Feasibility study. 10 years of echosounder FAD buoy locational data has been made available. The study identified potential FAD beaching hot spots. Findings of the study were shared at the 18th session of the WCPFC meeting. 26 May 2021 — Recent benchmark/ risk assessment produced; stocks are trending in a healthy direction and evidence of overfishing is low. 1 April 2021 — The USPTG has signed an MOU with The Nature Conservancy for a FAD retreival pilot for Palmyra Atoll 3 December 2020 — The USPTG and WWF submitted a joint letter to WCFPC17 advocating for precautionary harvest strategies. The WCPFC adopted an updated Indicative Workplan for the Adoption of Harvest Strategies under CMM 2014-06 19 November 2020 — Ammended LOA FAD retrieval feasibility study adding Marpesca fleet and provision of 10 years of echosounder buoy data to the SPC scientist conducting the study. 1 November 2020 — The US Pacific Tuna Group submitted a joint position statement with WWF to the IATTC advocating for precautionary harvest strategies and to expedite the process of adoptiong precautionary and ecosystem-based managment measures 17 June 2020 — FIP vessels are participating in a Pacific FAD Retrieval Feasiblity Study being conducted by the SPC with the support of The Nature Conservancy 9 June 2020 — Risk analysis drafted up to propose improved management methodology 1 June 2020 — US Pacific Tuna Group participates in Pacific Tuna Tagging Programme 31 March 2020 — Proposal submitted to NOAA for funding design and test biodegradeable FADs.
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Aug 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 1 August 2022 — The WCPFC adopted a management procedure for skipjack tuna in the WCPO; the measure ensures that the spawning potential depletion ratio of skipjack tuna is maintained on average at a level consistent with the target reference point and that the spawning potential depletion ratio of skipjack tuna is maintained above the limit reference point. 30 June 2022 — Shark finning and ETP bycatch mitigation policy has been published. 19 April 2021 — The USPTG developed and implemented a FAD logbook 11 May 2020 — Benchmark stock assessment for EPO yellowfin and risk analysis made available
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public