Management of the southern Atlantic albacore stock appears to be keeping it in a healthy state. However, observer coverage in most fisheries targeting albacore is too low and needs to be improved.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.This stock is managed and assessed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). There is no Harvest Control Rule for this fishery. The main management measure is a catch limit (Total Allowable Catch, TAC).The south Atlantic albacore TAC for 2017-2022 is 24,000t, with individual catch limits assigned to each country. This increases to 28,000t for 2023-2026. Catches of up to 28,000t are expected to keep the stock from being overfished or subject to overfishing through to 2033 with 83% probability. Since the late 1990s, catch limits have been set for this stock in line with the best estimates for Maximum Sustainable Yield. Management therefore appears to be following scientific advice.Catches have generally stayed within the limits. Provisional catch in 2020 was around 18,000t, and the 2016-2020 average is around 15,700t. In 2016, countries were required to immediately improve their catch reporting systems to ensure accurate and validated catch and effort data for southern albacore. Most albacore is caught by longline. The mandatory level of observer coverage in Atlantic longline fisheries is low, at just 5%, rising to 10% in 2022. Many countries are not achieving this level. This is below the recommended minimum of 20%. Monitoring and enforcement therefore requires improvement.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.
