Common Name
Bigeye Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus obesus
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) longline tuna FIP was launched in 2012. The FIP entered "stage 2" in January 2016. The fishery achieved MSC certification for WCPO yellowfin tuna in 2018, and is currently under MSC full assessment for WCPO bigeye tuna. The locally-based pelagic longline fishery that operates in the FSM's Exclusive Economic Zone targets bigeye and yellowfin tunas and incidentally catches various additional market species. There are about 50 active vessels in the fishery. The project, designed to meet all elements of a comprehensive FIP as defined by the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, has an overarching aim of addressing all deficiencies identified in an MSC pre-assessment so that the fishery will pass an assessment against the MSC standard. Key improvements needed include putting in place elements of robust harvest strategies for the two stocks of the principal market species; augmenting the institutional capacity to achieve the prescribed minimum observer coverage rate to meet scientific objectives of monitoring; and augmenting the management system for stocks and populations of vulnerable secondary species, including endangered, threatened and protected species.
| 21% | 79% |
| 50% |
| Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% |
The project aims is to improve fisheries management and practices by January 2020 so that the fishery is able to pass an assessment for WCPO bigeye tuna against the MSC fisheries standard.
