Management of north Atlantic albacore is robust, follows scientific advice, and appears to be well enforced. This component of the fishery is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, and therefore has increased monitoring and reporting requirements. However, observer coverage is low, and this could affect the accuracy of information on catch and bycatch.Around a third of north Atlantic albacore catches are by Spanish troll and pole & line fleets that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). These fleets undergo annual surveillance audits to monitor compliance with the MSC standard, in addition to the below management measures. Certification had been conditional on demonstrating that the troll fishery was not affecting vulnerable species, by improving data collection through scientific observes on fishing vessels. Observer coverage has increased, and no endangered, threatened or protected species have been recorded as bycatch by the fishery. Conditions were therefore removed in 2021, meaning that no improvements are required for the fishery to remain certified. However, we remain concerned that observer coverage is still too low, as it is less than 5%.Further information about management of the north Atlantic albacore fishery is below.Tuna, marlin, and swordfish are highly migratory species, found on the high seas and in numerous countries' waters. This makes harmonised and effective management challenging. Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) are responsible for monitoring and managing these stocks on behalf of the countries that access them. However, the degree to which management is implemented, monitored and enforced by each country varies significantly.North Atlantic albacore is managed and assessed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). It is managed through a multi-annual plan, which is supported by a Harvest Control Rule. The HCR has targets for keeping the stock at certain levels: fishing pressure should be kept at 80% of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) to maintain biomass at MSY levels or higher. If biomass falls below MSY, fishing pressure will gradually be reduced in line with the level of depletion of the biomass. If the stock was to be at risk of reduced reproductive capacity (Blim), catch would be reduced to the lowest levels that can sustain adequate scientific monitoring. The HCR is expected to maintain the stock in a good state with at least 60% probability. A peer-review in 2018 concluded that the HCR was scientifically robust. Management is therefore in line with scientific recommendations. It is following what is considered to be best practice.The management plan includes catch limits (Total Allowable Catches, TACs), which are based on the HCR. Individual catch limits are assigned to each country. The TAC was 37,801t for 2022-2023, increasing to 47,251t for 2024-2026. This is a 25% increase and is in line with the positive stock status estimated in 2023. The TAC for 2024-2026 is above the MSY estimate for this stock (41,995 tonnes), this is because the biomass is well above BMSY (B2021/BMSY = 2.19), and therefore this level of catch can be sustained in the near term. Since the establishment of the TAC in 2001, catch has remained substantially below the limit in all but four years, which might have accelerated rebuilding over the last decade.Most catches of northern albacore are by traditional surface fisheries in the Bay of Biscay. These fisheries mainly catch immature and sub-adult fish. As there are no limits to control the catch of immature fish, there could be implications for the stock. There are important data gaps in these fisheries which could make the stock assessment less certain.Since 1999, capacity has been limited to the average number of vessels from 1993-1995. The effect of this has not been evaluated but a general decrease of fishing mortality has been observed since its implementation.The mandatory level of observer coverage in the Atlantic is low, at just 5% for most gears targeting albacore, so these fisheries are not well monitored. Scientific recommendations are for a minimum of 20% for accurate reporting of catch and bycatch. Requirements for longline coverage increased from 5% to 10% in 2022, but many fleets have not reached this yet (some have not reached 5%). There is no minimum requirement for observer coverage for the troll fleet, responsible for 15% of catches. Coverage for this fleet is at less than 5%. However, work is underway to develop and roll out electronic monitoring. Purse seine and longline vessels over 20m long are encouraged to increase their observer coverage from the required minimum, and some have.In terms of enforcement and compliance with management measures: in 2016 ICCAT passed measures to strengthen and streamline its compliance assessment process and to develop a scheme of responses to non-compliance. There is also a list of vessels authorised to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the ICCAT area, and a list of vessels caught carrying out Illegal, Unreported or Unregulated activities. At-sea transhipment is prohibited unless pre-authorised and the vessel has an observer on board. Vessel Monitoring Systems are required for all vessels over 24m, but smaller vessels are less well monitored.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
