Swordfish

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) last conducted an assessment of swordfish in the southeastern Pacific Ocean in 2011. The assessment used the Stock Synthesis model with catch data through April of 2011 {IATTC 2014a}.

According to the latest stock assessment, catches have been increasing since 2005 and are approaching the maximum sustainable yield level {IATTC 0214a}. No specific advice has been provided.

Last updated on 22 Jul 2011

Reference points (Hinton and Maunder 2011):

M = 0.2
MSY = 25,000 tonnes
Spawning Biomass = 135,000 tonnes in 2010
Spawning Biomass Ratio = 1.45
BMSY/B0 = 0.20
SMSY = 0.11
Brecent/BMSY = 10.40
Srecent/SMSY = 14.76

The swordfish southeast stock in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in not overfished and not experiencing overfishing. Spawning biomass ratio is 1.45, and recent catch levels (~14,300 t) are below the estimated MSY of ~25,000 tonnes (Hinton and Maunder 2011).

Last updated on 09 Apr 2015

In recent years there has bee a series of high recruitment’s to the fishery. Catches have been increasing since 2005 {IATTC 2014a}.

Swordfish in the southeastern Pacific Ocean are managed by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. However, currently there are no measures in place specific to swordfish.

Last updated on 10 Apr 2015

Swordfish populations are healthy and there is no recovery plan in place.

There is no TAC or management measure in place to track compliance with.

The longline fisheries operating in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) also incidentally catch several species of sea turtles currently listed under CITES Appendix I. Purse seine fisheries have some interactions with sea turtles, but far less than in the longline fisheries.

Green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley sea turtles have been reported as incidentally captures in longline fisheries operating in the EPO. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies green, leatherback and loggerhead turtles as Endangered, hawksbill as Critically Endangered, and olive ridley as Vulnerable (www.iucn.org).

Marine mammal interactions are not common in this fishery.

Several species of seabirds, including black-footed, laysan and waved albatross. Black-footed, laysan albatross are considered Near Threatened by the IUCN and waved albatross as Critically Endangered.

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) has put several management measures aimed at bycatch species into place. IATTC member countries are to implement an International Plan of Action for Seabirds. Two seabird mitigation methods are requiredon vessels larger than 20 m fishing in specific areas. A 3 year program to reduce the impact of fishing on sea turtles has been put into place. This plan requires reporting of any interaction and carrying of proper handling and release gears. Shark finning is banned (5% rule) and oceanic whitetip sharks are prohibited from being retained (IATTC 2011b)(IATTC 2011c)(IATTC 2005)(IAC 2012).

Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) longlines fisheries also catch a number of other species of fish, including other billfish and tuna species, along with sharks.

Other common bycatch species in the longline fishery include blue and silky sharks, indo-Pacific sailfish, and dolphinfish. Blue shark populations are currently healthy in the north Pacific region of the EPO but populations in the south Pacific appear to be in much worse condition. The current status of silky sharks, despite an assessment being conducted, is unknown in this region. The status of indo-Pacific sailfish is also uncertain {ISCSWG 2014}{IATTC 2013c}{IATTC 2014b}.

Gears used to catch swordfish do not typically come into contact with bottom habitats.