Panama Pacific mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna - longline

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Overview

The dolphinfish, or mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), is a highly migratory pelagic species accounting for several stocks found in extensive areas of the world’s oceans. It lives in tropical and subtropical areas of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans and is believed to migrate seasonally to warm areas. Coastal distribution and abundance seem to be strongly related to surface temperature and distance from temperature fronts. The dolphinfish has a high growth rate and fast sexual maturity, which may be associated with physiological adaptations for a pelagic predator. 

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Yellowfin occurs approximately within thermal boundaries of 18° to 31°C. Tagging with acoustic transmitters or ultrasonic tags indicates that yellowfin spend most of their time in the upper mixed layer of the ocean (less than 100 m) and typically in temperatures above 17–18°C. 

Within the Panamanian ZEE there is a longline fishery for both species, conducted from around 70 midsize, semi-industrial vessels and several artisanal boats. Around 3,000 employments on land and at sea are depending on this fishery in Panama, with the products being exported mainly to the USA.

FIP Description 

The dolphinfish, or mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), is a highly migratory pelagic species accounting for several stocks found in extensive areas of the world’s oceans.

FIP Objective(s) 

The FIP Partners have agreed to adopt the FIP Action Plan for the  Panama Pacific mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna - longline fishery.

The FIP will be developed in accordance with the Alliance for Sustainable Seafood Conservation guidelines, with the ultimate goal of achieving a certifiable status against the MSC standard by December 2028

FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 2: FIP Launch
Start and Projected End Dates
July 2023
December 2028
Next Progress Report Due 
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Species 
Common Name 
Mahi-mahi
Scientific Name
Coryphaena hippurus
Common Name 
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Gear Type 
Longline
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Panama
Geographic Scope 
Panamanian Pacific
Country Flag of Vessel 
Panama
Regional Fisheries Management Organization
IATTC
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
3,000 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
6,300 metric tons
Landings Date 
December 2022
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
July 01, 2023
46% 31% 15% 8%
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

Not yet available
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.
Apr 2024
Target End Date
Dec 2028

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
CeDePesca
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Ernesto GODELMAN
Organization Name 
CORPEISA (Alfagamma Group)
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Fernando ALVAREZ
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.
20667