FishSource

Western and Central Pacific Ocean tuna - purse seine (Kiribati Fish Limited) (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-07-21

Progress Rating: A

Evaluation Start Date: 2020-03-01

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Key Traceability (KT), Kiribati Fish Limited (KFL)

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

Comments:

CMM 2022-01 was adopted at WCPFC19 as an interim skipjack tuna management procedure. With this recent stage 4 result reported, the FIP remains A rated.

1. FIP Development	Feb 20	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 11 February 2020 — MSC Pre-assesment completed
2. FIP Launch	Oct 19	Confirmation of project participants 18 October 2019 — Participants list confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Feb 20	Workplan made public 11 February 2020 — Workplan made public
3. FIP Implementation	Feb 23	FIP activities undertaken 22 February 2023 — The FIP has revised their FAD policy which requires all FADs deployed to be non-entangling. 1 November 2022 — Observer data for 10 vessels (2013-2018) is available. 1 November 2022 — The FIP sent advocacy letters to all the flag states ahead of the 2022 19th WCPFC annual meeting; the letters requested the adoption of a harvest strategy for skipjack and Northern albacore and the adoption of interim TRPs for yellowfin and bigeye tuna. 8 June 2022 — FIP coordinator participated in the WCPFC 18th Regular Session of the Scientific Committee & the WCPFC Harvest Strategy Capacity Building seminars 1 February 2022 — The working vessel list has been finalised and updated to 10 vessels, 8 flagged to China and 2 flagged to Vanuatu. 1 December 2021 — RFMO position statements have been sent to flag states advocating for necessary management measures. 1 August 2021 — Draft ETP management strategy underway 1 February 2021 — The FAD questionnaires have been completed and the FIP has received sufficient information including the Kiribas FAD management plan to help them understand FAD use and management already in the fishery. 1 November 2020 — WCPFC Position statement provided to the Nauru Fisheries Marine Resources Authority 1 September 2020 — FIP has provided a shark finning and ETP policy
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Dec 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 3 December 2022 — CMM 2022-01 was adopted at WCPFC19 as an interim skipjack tuna management procedure; the newly adopted CMM will ensure that the spawning potential depletion ratio of skipjack tuna is maintained on average at a level consistent with the target reference point 1 August 2022 — FIP has adopted a fleet-wide waste management policy to address FAD and marine debris removal 1 January 2022 — The FIP has adopted a fleet-wide ETP management and strategy policy to reduce incidental bycatch 3 February 2021 — MSC PI score 2.2.2 increase; There is strong evidence shark finning is not taking place, a shark finning policy exists with strong observer coverage and compliance which would have shown any incidents.
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public