FishSource

Atlantic Ocean tuna - longline (StarKist) (FIP)

Last Updated: 2022-05-10

Progress Rating: C

Evaluation Start Date: 2020-02-28

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Key Traceability (KT), StarKist (S)

Stock Profile Link
Albacore - South Atlantic
Yellowfin tuna - Atlantic Ocean
Albacore - North Atlantic
Bigeye tuna - Atlantic Ocean

Comments:

This FIP reported in March 2023 and the last stage 4 was reported in March 2021. This FIP last reported stage 4 up to 24 months, with recent stage 3 progress reported within the past 6 months. FIP remains C rated.

1. FIP Development	Feb 20	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 28 February 2020 — MSC pre-assesment made public
2. FIP Launch	Mar 20	Confirmation of project participants 5 March 2020 — Participants are confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Feb 20	Workplan made public 28 February 2020 — Workplan made available
3. FIP Implementation	Jan 23	FIP activities undertaken 1 January 2023 — The FIP has updated its Fins Naturally Attached policy which highlights and clarifies that shark finning in the fishery is prohibited and sharks must be landed with their fins naturally attached. 9 November 2022 — A skipper training was organized by Key Traceability in which skippers were trained on species IDs, best practices and mitigation techniques, appropriate data collection methods, electronic monitoring and waste management; 4 skippers in total were trained. 1 November 2022 — The FIP has sent advocacy letters ahead of the November 2022 ICCAT meeting to all flag states and the RFMO. 1 September 2022 — FIP has received aggregated observer data from the Belize authorities from 2017 to 2019 1 September 2022 — The FIP held a meeting with ARAP and the Panamanian authorities; KT provided the other parties with a list of information needed to improve the scoring of the Panama MSC PIs. 1 March 2022 — The FIP has been implementing mitigation techniques to prevent incidental seabird catch; techniques report made available 1 March 2022 — Summary provided for P3 scores update; external review of the new Panamanian Fishing Law conducted 1 September 2021 — The FIP has developed a bycatch handling checklist to determine whether or not vessels have all of the necessary equipment. 1 July 2021 — Waste management workplan drafted up 1 May 2021 — Outline and draft methodology created for FIP's pilot project for a carbon footprint assessement 21 April 2021 — The FIP has agreed to implement a phased approach to install Electronic Monitoring across the fleet 1 March 2021 — Skipper training has begun with Taiwanese staff members and will continue to be ongoing 1 September 2020 — A shark finning and turtle policy has been agreed upon by all FIP participants and to be implemented on board vessels. 1 September 2020 — Advocacy letters sent from FIP to ICCAT 1 August 2020 — Observer Data Request for Atlantic Ocean Tuna Longline (Starkist) FIP vessels sent to Belize FIsheries Department
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Mar 21	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 31 March 2021 — Increase in PI score 1.2.1; Harvest policy is under review for improvement targeting catch reduction 31 March 2021 — Increase in PI score 1.1.2; identified rebuilding time frame is sufficient 1 March 2021 — An ETP Management strategy has been approved by all FIP participants and is being implemented on vessels
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public