Hong Ngoc Seafood is implementing the Vietnam swordfish – handline FIP with the goal of attaining an MSC-certifiable status for the fishery by December 2024.
Swordfish is a highly migratory species of fish found throughout most of the world’s oceans. This FIP focuses on the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) swordfish stock, under the management of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), fished by the Vietnamese handline fishery.
The Vietnamese handline fishery began operating in late 2011. The fishery primarily targets large tunas — such as yellowfin and bigeye — in offshore areas within the Vietnam Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), although swordfish and other large pelagic species are also taken. Fishing is conducted on wooden handline vessels with a length of 15 to 23m carrying four to 6 fishers, including master. Handliners attract fish using bait (mostly squid or small scads) and lights, with vessels usually operating up to four lines, each with two hooks.
The fishing fleet is composed of 2,000+ handline vessels. The vessels are licensed at the provincial level but any management measures (i.e. capacity management and operational restrictions) are generally imposed at a national level. All fishing currently occurs within the Vietnam EEZ.
All catch is initially landed in Vietnam, with higher quality catch exported as both whole fish and processed product. The remainder is retained for local consumption and processing.
Key problems/issues at the beginning of the FIP:
According to the MSC Pre-Assessment of the fishery (MRAG 2017), the main obstacles to sustainability were:
The FIP was initiated and co-led by Sea Delight and CeDePesca; however, in July 2024 the FIP transitioned to be fully led by Hong Ngoc Seafood.
7% | 36% | 57% |
0% |
Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
---|---|---|---|
25% | 75% | 0% | 0% |
Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
---|---|---|---|
0% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
The ultimate objective of this FIP is to achieve the fishery’s certifiable status against the MSC standard by the end of December 2024. To this purpose, the FIP has updated its specific objectives as follows: