Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)

The EU surface longline fleet has been concentrating efforts on the implementation of national and regional strategies for the conservation of their target species including measures such as minimizing incidental catches, collaborating with the scientific community, and finning bans.

In 2014, an MSC pre-assessment was conducted for all swordfish and blue shark stocks, and in 2016, the fishery was close to meeting the MSC standard for north and south Atlantic swordfish. Focus on improvements for all the fleet operations moved towards promoting the creation of a FIP for all swordfish (Xiphias gladius ) and blue shark (Prionace glauca ) stocks for the North and South Atlantic Ocean, the Western and Central Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean

The industry community recently created the ANECTEAM association to work together with the EU surface longline fleet. ANECTEAM is focused on getting visibility and recognition from the consumers, raising public and environmental NGO opinions about efforts to boost sustainability, encouraging distribution chains to purchase the fishery's products, and increasing recognition at the international level of a sustainable industry and fleet that is allowed to trade in fins and shark meat. This FIP represents 4 shipowners' associations (90 % catches EU fleet), 14 supply chain companies (80 % UE), and 160 fishing vessels (95% of EU fishing vessels in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans).

Due to their migratory nature and extensive distribution throughout several oceans, the management of swordfish and blue shark is carried out internationally by RFMOs (ICCAT, IOTC, IATTC, and WCPFC) through a system of catch totals (TAC).

In 2014 an MSC pre-assessment was conducted for all swordfish and blue shark stocks (5 stocks in different ocean´s). In 2016, the fishery was close to meeting the MSC standard for north and south Atlantic swordfish. Previously conducted, the scoring was updated in 2019

The FIP Blues has been originally designed to be implemented in three oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian. The present FIP will start by implementing the actions in the Indian ocean. 

The Prospective Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) focuses on commercial purse seine fisheries in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Approximately 200 vessels operate in the Unit of Assessment (UoA), with 40 vessels already committed to the FIP's early development stage through partnerships with local companies.

The project aims to improve fisheries management and enhance environmental and social sustainability, ultimately achieving Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Target species include skipjack and yellowfin tuna in Indian Ocean. The MSC pre-assessment is currently ongoing, with the goal of completing Fisheryprogress Stage 2 within one year.

The Aceh Province offers a unique context for this FIP. Having recovered from the devastating 2006 tsunami, the region boasts strong customary law, represented by Panglima Laot, which designates "no fishing" days. Additionally, the province's special autonomy grants local authority over vessels up to 60 GT, differing from other provinces.

The tuna supply chain involves landing and storage in Aceh, with some processing and exporting activities taking place in North Sumatera (Medan). 

PT. Aneka Tuna, in collaboration with its suppliers (PT. Gabungan Era Mandiri, PT. Hasil Melimpah, PT. Karya Mandiri Citramina, and PT. Tuna Indonesia Mandiri), initiated the Purse Seine Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in the Indian Ocean. These companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote sustainable practices. Recognizing the importance of sustainability, they aim to ensure that the raw materials they harvest or procure are sourced responsibly to support long-term business viability and environmental stewardship. The UoAs are Indonesian FMA 572 and 573, targeting stock of skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna in the Indian Ocean, using purse seine gear. 

AGAC has recently assessed its tropical tuna fishery against the MSC Fisheries Standard - it resulted in the certification of the skipjack tuna stock, which was one of the three Units of Assessment (for more information on this process, click here).

With its Indian Ocean yellowfin & bigeye tuna – purse seine FIP, the goal is to contribute to the improvement of yellowfin and bigeye tuna stock status in the Indian Ocean, as these stocks did not meet the MSC requirements in the aforementioned assessment. For that, the work here will focus only on the PIs that did not meet SG80 (mainly the ones that might not be fully tackled by the MSC Certification's Client Action Plan, more specifically to resolve the non-binding conditions that were set) and on the recommendations made by the CAB.

This FIP was developed exclusively by AGAC.

(NB: AGAC = Asociación de Grandes Atuneros Congeladores = Association of Large Tuna Freezers; please note that the denomination OPAGAC [Organización de Productores de Grandes Atuneros Congeladores] is contained in AGAC and refers to vessels flagged in the EU. While the name "OPAGAC" is more widely known, it is AGAC that integrates all the vessels in the association)