Chile Patagonian toothfish – bottom longline

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Overview

The artisanal fishery of Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) with bottom longlines, is developed specifically in the area located between the parallel 47 ° LS to the northern limit of Chile, it is a relevant activity within the national fishing sector, being a resource of high value, destined for export to very demanding markets.

In this area, exploitation began in the late 70s, and due to the length restrictions of the regulations, it was developed as a preferably artisanal activity, which caused restrictions for obtaining fishing information and possibilities of embarking observers.
Currently, the destination markets are raising the demands for sustainability and traceability of the products, to which the Patagonian Toothfish is not exempt, and in order to maintain competitiveness it must advance in improvements. This particular FIP hopes to contribute to improving the representativeness of data obtained in fishing operations and management procedures, supporting the development of management measures and strategies. It also aims to contribute to the improvements needed to maintain the quality and traceability of catches.

FIP Description 

The artisanal fishery of Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) with bottom longlines, is developed specifically in the area located between the parallel 47 ° LS to the northern limit of Chile, it is a relevant activity within the nationa

FIP Objective(s) 

The general objective is to promote improvements to the fishery that will allow the fishery to begin the path to MSC certification.

  • Specific objective N1 aims to contribute to improving the quality and representativeness of the fishery information used as input for stock assessment and management measures. To this end, by the end of the 2027, a self-reporting logbook system is expected to be designed and operationally ready for use by at least 25% of the FIP participating fleet. By the end of 2030, the collected and validated information is expected to be available for consideration in the official monitoring program and stock assessment models, thereby reducing the uncertainty in the analysis unit estimates.It indirectly contributes to improving status definition and the implementation of stock recovery programs (if applicable), increases data quality, and generates better information to support established management measures (or new measures, if required). 
  • Specific objective N2 seeks to contribute to the development of management measures that reduce some of the gaps in the fishery so that it can advance towards MSC certification. This objective aims to generate information for primary and secondary species through self-reported logbooks. By 2028, a bycatch diagnosis is expected, along with possible action proposals if needed. By the end of 2030, the objective is to contribute with proposed protection measures for primary and secondary species. This objective also aims to contribute to the process of defining the fishery's specific objectives and make proposals for a recovery plan. This is achieved by attending at least 75% of the Fishery Management Committee sessions from 2025. At the end of every second year, a progress report and contributions to the development of the official fishery management plan are expected.
FIP Type 
Basic
FIP Stage 
Stage 2: FIP Launch
Start and Projected End Dates
April 2025
December 2030
Next Progress Report Due 
Friday, October 31, 2025
Species 
Common Name 
Patagonian Toothfish
Scientific Name
Dissostichus eleginoides
Buying Guide Link Image 
Patagonian Toothfish
Buying Guide
Gear Type 
Bottom Longline
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 87 (Pacific, Southeast)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Chile
Geographic Scope 
From the north limit of Chile to 47°LS, within the EEZ
Country Flag of Vessel 
Chile
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
1,200 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
1,900 metric tons
Landings Date 
December 2023
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
April 01, 2025
32% 7% 61%
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.
Oct 2025
Target End Date
Dec 2030
Additional Impacts:
Traceability

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
South Pacific Fish
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Soledad Morales
Email 
calidad@southpf.es
Phone 
+34609585191
Website Name 
South Pacific Fish
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.
25285