Yellowfin Tuna, Indian Ocean, Gillnet

Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna has been scored a high risk. The biomass is too low and fishing mortality rates are too high for optimal harvesting and the stock is at risk of being outside limit reference levels.  

The management of the yellowfin tuna Indian Ocean fishery is a high risk. In 2016 managers adopted measures to address the current status of yellowfin tuna. These measures appear to not be working and catches have increased and not decreased since implementation. 

The bycatch in the yellowfin tuna Indian Ocean gillnet fishery has been scored a high risk. This is because gillnets capture a number of bycatch species, including sea turtles, sharks and other fish but there are some mitigation measures in place.

The habitat impact of the yellowfin tuna Indian Ocean gillnet fishery has been scored as no impact. This is because gillnets that target tuna fish on the surface and do not come in contact with bottom habitats.