INACTIVE Indian Ocean swordfish - longline

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Reason for Inactivity
  • Failed to meet social responsibility policy

Overview

The Malaysian Swordfish fishery is governed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), with actions implemented by the Government of Malaysia. The FIP for this fishery began in 2018 and has made significant governance improvements since. Efforts between 2018 and 2020 were focused on electronic reporting and monitoring for better control of the fishery’s catch; for example, FIP participants took part in the Regional Observer Program for carrier vessels and fishing vessels to monitor transshipment at sea, and the Department of Fisheries in Malaysia has installed CCTV on every vessel including IBU WIRA 1, IBU WIRA 2 & IBU WIRA 3. These are major achievements that increase oversight of the fishery tremendously and represent a considerable score increase on Principle 3 (Governance) of the Marine Stewardship Council standard, compliance and enforcement (3.2.3). 

In 2023 the major FIP action, in addition to regular catch reporting, will be to review vessel practices against the requirements in the applicable IOTC resolutions for mitigating risks to ETP species.  

FIP Description 

The Malaysian Swordfish fishery is governed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), with actions implemented by the Government of Malaysia. The FIP for this fishery began in 2018 and has made significant governance improvements since.

FIP Objective(s) 

By December 2026, the FIP aims to:

  1. Reduce the mortality of sea birds, sea turtles and sharks feeding on the baited hooks of longline gear through improved education for avoidance, safe handling and release.
  2. Reduce and eliminate the release of plastic to the sea by marking longlines and monitoring the fate of spent gear to prevent disposal at sea.
  3. Contribute to sustainable fishing on swordfish in the Pacific Ocean.
FIP Type 
Basic
FIP Stage 
Stage 4: Improvements in Fishing Practices or Fishery Management
Start and Projected End Dates
August 2018
December 2026
Update 
The FIP hosts are continuing to invest year-on-year in fishery improvements for Indian Ocean Swordfish.
Next Progress Report Due 
Friday, May 31, 2024
Species 
Common Name 
Swordfish
Scientific Name
Xiphias gladius
Gear Type 
Longline
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 51 (Indian Ocean, Western)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country Flag of Vessel 
Malaysia
Country Flag of Vessel 
Taiwan
Regional Fisheries Management Organization
IOTC
High Seas Name 
Indian Ocean
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
3,000 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
85,000 metric tons
Landings Date 
December 2023
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FIP Leads

Organization Name 
SYM-PAC International
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Jason Yabiku
Organization Name 
The Sustainability Incubator
Organization Type 
Consultant
Primary Contact 
Katrina Nakamura
Organization Name 
Fong Hsiang Ent Co Pt Ltd
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Jochanan Liew
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.
9724