Albacore Tuna, North Pacific Ocean, Pelagic Longline

Albacore tuna in the North Pacific has been scored a low risk. The female biomass has remained healthy since 1993 and fishing mortality rates are currently considered sustainable. Therefore it is likely the stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing.  

The management of North Pacific albacore has been scored a low risk. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, which managed albacore in the North Pacific, have enacted only a few management measures for this species. There are formally adopted biomass based reference points (WCPFC) but no harvest control rules. Populations of albacore have been maintained under the current management scheme, so we have awarded a low risk score. 

The bycatch in the albacore tuna pelagic longline fishery operating in the North Pacific Ocean has been scored a moderate risk. This is because longline fisheries operating in the North Pacific Ocean incidentally capture many other species, including sea birds, sea turtles and elasmobranchs.

The habitat impact of the Albacore tuna North Pacific Ocean pelagic longline fishery has been scored as no impact. This is because pelagic longline gears fish at the surface and do not come in contact with bottom habitats.