Common Name
Albacore Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus alalunga
Overview
FIP Description
Update Feb 2025: The majority of the FIP is now MSC certified and the remainder is being assessed via a gap analysis, which will not be available until completion of the certification.
The fishery being assessed is the Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery targeting albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) tuna across all regions of the Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery aims to meet the rising global demand for tuna in a sustainable manner by assuring catches do not exceed sustainable levels, promoting the ecosystem based approach to fisheries management and strengthening policy and governance systems in the region.
Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery goals:
- Sustainable Fish Stocks – To ensure tuna and other primary species catches across the Pacific Ocean do not exceed sustainable levels
- Minimising Environmental Impacts – To promote the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management
- Effective Management – To strengthen governance systems in the WCPFC, IATTC and Pacific Tuna Longline fishery.
This FIP was previously part of the Pacific Ocean Tuna - longline (Thai Union) FIP. Half of the UoAs (Vanuatu flagged vessels) are now within the MSC assessment due to the progress they have made. Due to this, the FIP profile was split to allow for the remaining fleet (Chinese flagged vessels) to continue on with their FIP.
Half of the vessels within the FIP have entered and obtained MSC Certification - Pingtairong Pacific tuna deep set longline fishery. The remaining vessels stay within this FIP and will be added via a scope extension.
How is this FIP Doing?
| 4% | 21% | 75% |
This shows the proportion of actions in the workplan that the FIP has completed.
| 60% |
This shows the proportion of actions that are behind schedule, on track,completed, or not yet started.
| Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 40% | 60% | 0% |
This shows the proportion of actions specifically addressing red indicators that are behind schedule, on track, completed, or not yet started. This helps users understand the progress the FIP is making on the biggest challenges in the fishery.
| Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
FIP Objective(s)
- Achieve sustainable stock status’ for albacore, bigeye and yellowfin that is consistent with the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and management systems strengthened to achieve this.
- To improve the availability of accurate data on catches, retained and especially bycatch by strengthening information systems and training.
- To collaborate with other institutions working on tuna fisheries issues in the country, including working together to improve the management and policy towards sustainable fisheries for example Harvest Control Rules.
- Strengthen ETP and retained species management strategies.
- To promote traceability to ensure that the origins and status of Tuna products purchased are well-known and all coming from legal fisheries by engaging the supply chains that support improvement through the implementation of e-monitoring.
- Improve governance and decision making process.
- To achieve a certifiable status by December 2025.
FIP Type
Comprehensive
FIP Stage
Stage 5: Improvements on the Water
Start and Projected End Dates
December, 2017
December, 2025
Species
Common Name
Bigeye Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus obesus
Common Name
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Gear Type
Location
Estimated Total FIP Landings
5000 metric tons
FIP Leads
Organization Name
Key Traceability Ltd.
Organization Type
Consultant
Primary Contact
Tom Evans
Phone
+44 7505122728
Website Name