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Pacific Ocean tuna - longline (PTR) (FIP)

Access FIP Public Report

Last Updated: 2023-07-21

Progress Rating: A

Evaluation Start Date: 2017-12-03

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Key Traceability (KT)

Comments:

This FIP was previously part of the Pacific Ocean Tuna - longline (Thai Union) FIP. The Vanuatu-flagged vessels have gone into MSC full assessment and the remaining fleet of Chinese vessels will continue to be evaluated on their environmental progress under this FIP profile.

1. FIP Development	Feb 20	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 February 2020 — Pre-assessment made public
2. FIP Launch	Aug 19	Confirmation of project participants 28 August 2019 — Participants confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Dec 17	Workplan made public 3 December 2017 — Workplan made available
3. FIP Implementation	Dec 22	FIP activities undertaken 1 December 2022 — Several Chinese flag vessels have had EM systems installed onboard as a part of the national EM pilot program 19 November 2022 — The FIP is engaged in an ongoing project with TNC that aims to implement effective observer monitoring of transshipments to address issues related to IUU fishing; the project remains ongoing and is currently in its third phase which will address potential gaps in knowledge on carrier vessels. 9 November 2022 — A skipper training was conducted by Key Traceability for FIP members at the TTLA; 16 FIP members participated in the training 1 November 2022 — Advocacy letters were sent to the flag states ahead of the 2022 WCPFC meeting 30 September 2022 — The FIP participated in a bycatch risk assessment focused on ETP species in the Pacific using data from EM systems; a draft of the findings has been made available 16 September 2022 — The FIP has updated the language in their shark finning policy to clarify that all fisheries that retain sharks must be required to have a Fins Naturally Attached policy in place, with no exceptions. 1 July 2022 — FIP has released a position statement ahead of the 97th IATTC Annual Meeting 23 May 2022 — Skipjack and yellowfin purse seine fishery ACDR assessment report has rescored PI 3.2.4 1 February 2022 — P2 ETP species analysis report produced from data pulled from the EM system; report demonstrates current ETP policies in place 1 January 2022 — Analysis of of e-monitoring conducted; The data being collected is being analysed using a 20% of sets sampling that will be representative of the fishery. 1 December 2021 — The FIP has sent a letter to China in an attempt to re-engage, detailing their Principle 3 requirements to the Bureau of Fisheries. 1 December 2021 — The FIP paid and hosted a training session for Vanuatu observers to be able to analyze the data from the electronic monitoring system; 9 observers were trained 1 December 2021 — FIP implemented a decision support tool to develop an integrated bycatch/ ETP management strategy. Currently, matrices are being developed of the most effective mitigation methods. 1 November 2021 — The FIP wrote advocacy letters to the IATTC, WCPFC and flag states advocating for several proposals 1 June 2021 — Pacific Islands Division Special Agent completed an investigation involving a Vanuatu-flagged purse seine vessel conducting fishing activities on a NOAA Weather Buoy in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Fines have been issued. 1 April 2021 — The ETP management strategy has been updated with the species identified within the ecosystem risk assessment 17 December 2020 — Virtual FIP stakeholder meeting held 1 December 2020 — FIP has undergone analysis of Principle 3 1 November 2020 — Advocacy letters were sent to both the IATTC and WCPFC advocating for these changes, along with the flag states. 1 July 2019 — The catch data collection form has been amended and implemented to be able to record interactions with ETP species. 31 January 2019 — Through work with Satlink and Vanuatu Fishing Authority, we are moving forward to improving surveillance programs. 31 January 2019 — Key Traceability has joined other relevant fisheries and ISSF to advocate for stock assessments for species in which they are missing. 1 July 2018 — Through work with Satlink and Vanuatu Fishing Authority we are moving forwards to improving surveillance programmes. Vanuatu and Tunago have confirmed they are willing to put human observers on board vessels 1 July 2018 — Encourage undertaking of stock assessments on striped marlin and mako shark and Encourage undertaking of stock assessments on blue shark in the SPO 1 July 2018 — Assurance Pacific bluefin tuna is not being caught by the FIP 1 July 2018 — Engage with relevant organisations to align P1 scores 1 July 2018 — Strengthening of shark finning mitigation 1 July 2018 — Pilot skipper training occurred with two individual skippers, using presentation drafted by Key Traceability using ISSF resources. 1 July 2018 — Assurance Pacific bluefin tuna is not being caught by the FIP 1 July 2018 — Run Skipper Training 24 June 2018 — Engage with relevant Harvest Strategy plans (WCPFC and Vanuatu authority) for Albacore, Yellowfin and Bigeye in WCPO 1 January 2018 — Implement E-Monitoring and E-Reporting onto all vessels
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Feb 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 28 February 2022 — Increase in PI score 2.2.2. Analysis of EM data determined there were no primary or secondary main species being caught. 29 February 2020 — Increase to MSC PI score 2.1.2 29 February 2020 — Increase to MSC PI score 2.2.2 - No species were identified as ‘main’ secondary species - indicator scores >80 29 February 2020 — Increase to MSC PI score 2.2.3 12 February 2019 — Increase to MSC PI score 3.2.3.- Compliance at the Commission level is addressed through various monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) means including list of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels; VMS systems are required, data from observer logbooks and there are some port state controls. 12 February 2019 — Increase t0 MSC PI score 2.2.2 - including the WCPFC & IATTC measures in place to mitigate the practice of shark finning. 1 July 2018 — Electronic monitoring installed on longliner in May. 1 July 2018 — Ensure the shark finning policy was complete and up to date.
5. Improvements on the Water	Feb 20	Verifiable improvement on the water 29 February 2020 — Increase to MSC PI score 2.1.1 29 February 2020 — Increase to MSC PI score 2.2.1
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public