Indian Ocean tuna and large pelagics - longline (Afritex)

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Overview

Afritex is an investment holding company with strategic interests in African based fishing operations that markets seafood to a global base of customers. Through its subsidiary companies, Afritex operates two longline tuna and swordfish operations – (a) one in Port Louis (Mauritius), and the other (b) in Beira (Mozambique). All vessels are now flagged to Mozambique.

a)  Afritex Fishing Ltd (Mauritius)
Longline fishing operation based in Port Louis (Mauritius), with commercial quay-side packing and processing facility, and owned fleet of vessels. Fishing in waters of Mauritius, the primary focus is fresh tuna (mainly YFT) and swordfish. The product is distributed fresh by airfreight, as well as processed seafood for retail ready lines, such as tuna, swordfish, dorado and other associated by-catch.

b)  Pescamoz
Longline fishing company based in the port of Beira (Mozambique). It comprises a processing facility and self-owned fleet of longline vessels. Primary focus is on the export of fresh tuna and swordfish, as well as processing a range of retail lines from tuna, swordfish, and dorado.

FIP Description 

Afritex is an investment holding company with strategic interests in African based fishing operations that markets seafood to a global base of customers.

FIP Objective(s) 
  • Achieve sustainable stock status’ for tuna and swordfish species that is consistent with the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and management systems strengthened to achieve this.
  • To improve the availability of accurate data on catches, retained and especially bycatch by strengthening information systems and training.
  • To collaborate with other institutions working on tuna fisheries issues in the country, including working together to improve the management and policy towards sustainable fisheries for example Harvest Control Rules.
  • Increase observer coverage electronically or in person.
  • Promote the adoption by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and member countries of precautionary and ecosystem-based management measures and encourage the IOTC to adopt management measures that will reduce fishing mortality.
  • Strengthen mahi mahi, ETP and retained species management strategies and reduce bycatch
  • Improve governance and decision-making process.
  • To achieve a certifiable status by 2025.
FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 4: Improvements in Fishing Practices or Fishery Management
Start and Projected End Dates
June 2019
June 2025
Next Progress Report Due 
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Species 
Common Name 
Bigeye Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus obesus
Common Name 
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Common Name 
Swordfish
Scientific Name
Xiphias gladius
Common Name 
Mahi-mahi
Scientific Name
Coryphaena hippurus
Gear Type 
Longline
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 51 (Indian Ocean, Western)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country Flag of Vessel 
Mozambique
Regional Fisheries Management Organization
IOTC
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
1,365 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
200,000 metric tons
Landings Date 
July 2023
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
June 01, 2019
29% 32% 39%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF

A Advanced Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.

  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Jul 2024
Target End Date
Jun 2025

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Key Traceability
Organization Type 
Consultant
Primary Contact 
Becky Caton
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
10861