Albacore Tuna, South Pacific, Pelagic Longline

- Content last updated
- 28 January 2020
- Stock
- Albacore tuna, South Pacific Ocean
- Management
- Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)
- Stock Status
-
Low risk
- Management
-
Low risk
- Bycatch
-
Moderate risk
- Habitat
-
Very low risk
Stock status
Albacore tuna in the South Pacific has been scored a low risk. The biomass of albacore tuna in the South Pacific has remained stable over the past 20 years. The biomass is considered to be healthy and fishing mortality rates are currently sustainable.
Management
The management of South Pacific albacore has been scored a low risk. Albacore in the South Pacific are managed by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (Eastern Pacific Ocean) and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Western and Central Pacific Ocean). There is a limit reference point for South Pacific albacore and interim target reference point but no harvest control rule. Few management measures specific to this species have been adopted. However, populations appear to be healthy at this time. So we have awarded a low risk score.
Bycatch
The bycatch in the albacore tuna pelagic longline fishery operating in the South Pacific Ocean has been scored a moderate risk. This is because longline fisheries operating in the South Pacific Ocean incidentally capture many other species, including sea birds, sea turtles and elasmobranchs.
Habitat
The habitat impact of the albacore tuna South 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.