Albacore Tuna, South Pacific, Pelagic Longline

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. 

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. 

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.

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.