Indian Ocean tuna - longline (Bumble Bee/FCF)

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Overview

The FIP first launched as the Indian Ocean Albacore Tuna Longline fishery but after a scope extension in October 2021, the fishery now fishery targets albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (T. obesus) and yellowfin (T. albacares). The pelagic longline vessels are flagged to China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Seychelles and Oman and fish on the high seas of the Indian Ocean and within the EEZ’s of Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar. The fishery is managed regionally by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

FIP Description 

The FIP first launched as the Indian Ocean Albacore Tuna Longline fishery but after a scope extension in October 2021, the fishery now fishery targets albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (T. obesus) and yellowfin (T.

FIP Objective(s) 
  • There shall be robust and precautionary harvest strategies in place for Indian Ocean (IO) tuna
  • A comprehensive range of information related to stock structure, stock productivity, fleet composition and other data are available to support the harvest strategy; and all information required by the harvest control rule is monitored with high frequency and a high degree of certainty.
  • Improved availability of accurate and comprehensive data on catches, especially bycatch, by strengthening information systems and training. Recording and reporting of discards

  • Strengthened Endangered, Threatened and Protected and retained species management strategies; and ensure the fishery is not hindering the recovery of species

  • Evidence that the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and flag states have solid fisheries management at a level to pass Principle 3 of the MSC assessment.

  • To achieve a certifiable status by the end of 2024.

FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 4: Improvements in Fishing Practices or Fishery Management
Start and Projected End Dates
November 2019
April 2025
Next Progress Report Due 
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Species 
Common Name 
Albacore Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus alalunga
Common Name 
Bigeye Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus obesus
Common Name 
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Gear Type 
Longline
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 51 (Indian Ocean, Western)
Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Madagascar
Geographic Scope 
The entire country
Country 
Mauritius
Geographic Scope 
The entire country
Country 
Seychelles
Geographic Scope 
The entire country
Country Flag of Vessel 
Taiwan
Country Flag of Vessel 
China
Country Flag of Vessel 
Malaysia
Country Flag of Vessel 
Seychelles
Country Flag of Vessel 
Oman
Regional Fisheries Management Organization
IOTC
High Seas Name 
Indian Ocean
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
25,000 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
50,000 metric tons
Landings Date 
April 2024
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
November 01, 2019
25% 36% 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.
Oct 2024
Target End Date
Apr 2025
Additional Impacts:
TraceabilityEcosystem

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
KangTai (KT Asia)
Organization Type 
Consultant
Primary Contact 
Tom Evans
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.
12226