Albacore Tuna, North Pacific Ocean; Troll, Pole and Line

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 North Pacific Ocean troll/pole and line fisheries have been scored a low risk. Bycatch and discards in troll and pole and line fisheries typically makes up a small proportion of the total catch (Kellher 2005). Baitfish are typically used in troll and pole fisheries. The ratio of tuna to baitfish is around 30:1 and in most cases baitfishing makes up a small proportion of the total fishing mortality for baitfish species (Gillet 2012).

The seabed effects of the fishery are scored a very low risk. This is because trolling and pole and line fishing occurs at the surface and do not come in contact with bottom habitats.