Sustainable Tuna Handbook - MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
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MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL MAY 2021 | GLOBAL EDITION
Sustainable
Tuna
Handbook
Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
ContentS
Executive summary 4 Responsible and Sustainable Sourcing
Claims: A UK Case Study 42
Introductory message 6
Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) 44
The MSC Fisheries Standard 8
Global tuna market data 46
How does the scoring process work? 9
MSC certified tuna fisheries –
The Chain of Custody Standard 10 case studies 54
Do I need Chain of Custody certification? 11 AAFA & WFOA North & South
Tuna species 12 Pacific albacore 56
The tuna challenge: international Australian Eastern Tuna and Billfish
tuna governance and management 14 fishery, albacore, yellowfin, bigeye
and swordfish 58
Tuna fishing gears 16
Cook Islands, Micronesia and Marshall
Fishing methods: Fish Aggregating Islands longline fisheries 60
Devices and free-school fishing 20
Eastern Atlantic bluefin 62
Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) 22
Echebastar Indian Ocean skipjack 64
FADs explained 24
Indonesia pole-and-line and handline,
Fishing methods: Longline fishing 26 skipjack and yellowfin tuna of Western
and Central Pacific archipelagic waters 66
Considerations in sourcing tuna 28
Maldivian skipjack 68
Stock status 28
North Atlantic albacore artisanal fishery 70
Harvest Control Rules 30
PNA skipjack and yellowfin 72
Bycatch and Endangered, Threatened
and Protected (ETP) Species 32 PT Citraraja Ampat, Sorong,
skipjack and yellowfin 74
Shark finning 34
Solomon Islands albacore,
Illegal fishing 36 skipjack and yellowfin 76
Transshipment 37 Tri Marine Western & Central
Forced labour 38 Pacific skipjack and yellowfin 78
Front cover © Getty Images / Dallas Stribley
Traceability 40 Summary of conditions 80
Mislabelling 40 Why should I choose MSC certified tuna? 81
Unit of Assessment 41 Consumer Insights 82
© Nice and Serious / MSC
Conclusion 84
References 86
2 All data correct as of 28 February 2021 unless otherwise specified
Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Executive Summary
nature of the global tuna supply chain, coupled with However, please note that this handbook is not
an increase from pressure groups on the sourcing a guide to FIPs, nor a FIP sourcing handbook.
of both non-certified and MSC certified tuna, further
information would benefit those operating within While it takes time to advance fisheries to the
Welcome to the MSC Sustainable Tuna Handbook. This handbook aims to discuss some of the the tuna supply chain to help provide greater clarity MSC Standard, there is reassuringly ample variety
complexities of sustainable tuna fishing and increase the reader’s understanding of global tuna and knowledge on the global tuna landscape. and diversity in the commercial range of MSC
fisheries and the global tuna supply chain. It explains how MSC certified tuna fisheries have achieved certified fisheries to start to satisfy the demand
a high bar of sustainability, defined by the MSC Fisheries Standard. In addition to examining fishing gears and methods, for sustainable, certified tuna. But there is always
species, impacts and issues, this handbook also room for improvement. While around 49% of all
This handbook comes at a critical time: with the global sourcing policies. It is aimed at anyone involved with profiles a range of MSC certified tuna fisheries commercially important tuna fisheries are already
demand for tuna increasing over recent decades, the sourcing sustainable tuna as a reference guide for the illustrating how different types of fisheries can engaged with the MSC program (by landed volume)
pressure on local populations and ecosystems has various aspects of tuna sourcing. meet the MSC Standard, even with varied gear and an additional 20% in a FIP (by landed volume),
also intensified. At the same time, the diversity in types, fishing methods, species and management nearly a third are left without any measure for
the sector has fuelled questions related to gear type Sixty-five percent of consumers believe that to approaches. It examines how these fisheries gained how they are performing or verification of their
and fishing methods, species, sustainability, and save the oceans we should consume seafood their sustainability credentials, including the actions sustainability.
environmental impact, to name a few. only from sustainable sources1. The supply chain they have taken over time, to achieve and maintain
needs to respond to this demand and ensure their certification. Common themes include: Our vision is to see more fisheries enter MSC
For tuna populations to thrive, the sector requires that environmental and social threats related to • Improved observer coverage assessment at a level at which they can achieve
robust and coordinated management, effective tuna fishing are minimised through sourcing from certification. Those already certified to the MSC
• Improving management to protect tuna stocks Standard are leading the way and have made – often
enforcement, elimination of forced labour and illegal verifiably sustainable fisheries.
in the long term considerable – changes to achieve their certification.
fishing, reduction in mislabelling, and reductions in
catches of Endangered, Threatened and Protected The blue MSC label can help fulfil these commitments • Minimising fishery impacts on other species, These leaders are helping support global tuna
(ETP) species. These issues are prevalent in many by ensuring sustainability against a rigorous and including overfished stocks and Endangered, sustainability. Your support in this movement,
tuna fisheries and present sourcing risks that can demanding standard and providing traceability from Threatened and Protected (ETP) species and action at the national and international level,
prove challenging. Furthermore, a lack of information ocean to plate. It is an opportunity to deliver on is crucial to ensure these fisheries are protected
available on tuna fisheries, conflicting sustainability sustainable sourcing commitments and to ensure a While the MSC Standard sets the bar for sustainability for future generations. By sourcing MSC certified
credentials, and powerful NGO campaign messaging sustainable supply for these iconic species. of fisheries, it is important to recognise Fishery tuna, you are not only investing in ensuring stable
combine to further complicate sourcing decisions. Improvement Projects (FIPs) as an important aspect supplies of fish for the future with secure supply
This handbook hopes to bring clarity to these issues While MSC certification provides a solution to of the path to sustainability. As such, this handbook chains, but also incentivizing healthy oceans and
and demonstrate how MSC certification can help sustainable seafood sourcing requirements, we also provides an example of a successful FIP that coastal communities. This handbook will help you
mitigate these risks, essential to fulfilling sustainable recognise that due to the complex and diverse has progressed to become an MSC certified fishery. navigate this complex and fascinating world.
© Janos / Adobe Stock
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Introduction to Sustainable Tuna Sourcing
Healthy Stocks
Bill Holden, MSC Senior
With increased demand for tuna comes increased Sourcing from overfished stocks, or from fisheries
Tuna Fisheries Outreach
pressure on tuna stocks and associated that have significant bycatch of non-target species
Manager ecosystems. At the moment, most tuna stocks or environmental impacts, creates business and
are at healthy levels4, but there are significant supply chain risks. Businesses therefore have
Tuna are some of the
variations and stocks can change. Retailers a vested interest in helping to ensure strong
world’s most popular
seeking to buy from tuna with healthy stocks can conservation measures are adopted.
fish, sold in nearly every rely on MSC certified tuna fisheries, which ensure
country in the world. From the tuna sandwiches that the stocks are healthy or are in a robust and Labour
I grew up with, to the sushi I love today, we see demonstrably credible rebuilding plan. In addition to these environmental issues, there
the global tuna market segmented into different are also concerns about the scale of forced labour
areas based on species, food preferences and Environmental Impacts and human rights issues in tuna supply chains.
culture. But change is constant: one of the Tuna fisheries can be associated with significant The MSC condemns forced labour and although we
biggest trends in the past few years has been the bycatch problems, catching and entangling were built as an environmental standard, we have
growth of the fresh and frozen market in North seabirds, sharks and marine mammals. Different taken steps to keeping forced labour out of the
America and in Western Europe, while canned fisheries have vastly different impacts depending MSC certified supply chain (see page 38).
tuna is gaining ground even in the Middle East on how the fishing gears are used (see page 16)
– not exactly a traditional tuna market. and where the tuna is fished. Reducing Risk
The best way for tuna buyers to significantly
The global tuna market reached a value of Retail buyers play a pivotal role in reducing these
reduce exposure to the above risks is to choose
US$11.6 billion in 20182, driven by increasing impacts by sourcing sustainable tuna. Some
MSC certified tuna. A certified fishery ensures
demand for processed/ready to cook tuna, environmental groups have pressured buyers to
that the stocks are healthy or are in a robust and
source from pole and line fisheries because the
rising disposable incomes and increasing per demonstratively credible rebuilding plan, the
bycatch of non-tuna species from this fishing gear is
capita consumption. impact on the ecosystem is minimal and the fishery
considered minimal. However, focussing on a single
is well-managed. What is more, by choosing MSC,
Once tuna is canned or frozen, it becomes a attribute, such as fishing gear, is too simplistic:
you are incentivizing global fisheries to become
tuna stocks may still be overfished or poorly-
shelf-stable and easily traded commodity3. more sustainable, thereby safeguarding livelihoods
managed and particular fisheries, irrespective of
But there are complex issues in tuna fisheries, and healthy oceans for the future.
gear type, may face other challenges such as the
due to the impacts of gears used to harvest
catch of juvenile tuna.
tuna and their highly-migratory nature.
Management
Over the past ten years, the MSC has built up
Tuna are managed at the international level by
a wealth of experience in tuna fisheries, their
Regional Fisheries Management Organisations
supply chains and their unique challenges.
(RFMOs) (see page 14), but management at this
This handbook is a distillation of some of that
level, involving as many as fifty member countries,
experience and I hope it will help retailers can be slow. Retailers can support sustainable
© Anthony J Rayburn
and other commercial interests navigate tuna by backing strong conservation measures
the complex, and fascinating world of this through the adoption of measures such as Harvest
remarkable fish. Strategies and Harvest Control Rules (HCRs), by
RFMOs (see case study on page 31).
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
The MSC Fisheries Standard How does the scoring process work?
The MSC Fisheries Standard brings together over 20 years of collaboration with scientists, the fishing industry There are 28 performance indicators in the Fisheries Standard that sit under the three principles.
and conservation groups. It reflects internationally accepted fisheries science and best practice management.
Your fishery is assigned a score for each performance indicator where 60 is the minimum acceptable
performance, 80 is global best practice and 100 is near perfect performance.
The three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard
To be certified, your fishery must score:
Principle 1: Sustainability Principle 2: Ecosystem impacts: Principle 3: Effective
of the stock: Fisheries must Fishing operations need to be management: All fisheries need • At least 60 for each of the 28 performance indicators
operate in a way that allows managed to maintain the structure, to meet all local, national and
• An average score of 80 across all performance indicators under each of the three principles
fishing to continue indefinitely, productivity, function and diversity international laws and have an
without over exploiting of the ecosystem upon which the effective management system If your fishery scores between 60 and 79 for any performance indicator, you are required to improve
the resource. fishery depends, including other in place. your fishery’s performance against that indicator so that it scores 80 or above within five years.
species and habitats. This improvement is called a condition.
P3 State of the art: 100
Performance indicator pass
with no conditions
Best practice: 80
P1
Performance indicator pass
with conditions
Minimum acceptable: 60
P2
Fail
P1 Principle 1 P2 Principle 2 P3 Principle 3
Sustainability of the stock Ecosystem impacts Effective management
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
The Chain of Do I need Chain of Custody Certification?
Custody Standard: Principle 1:
Companies must purchase The Chain of Custody Standard is a traceability and segregation standard that is
Default Version certified product from a
certified supplier
applicable to the full supply chain – from a certified fishery or farm, to final sale.
has five principles
Principle 2: Examples of businesses eligible for Chain of Custody certification:
Certified products are • A fishmonger serving final consumers and caterers
clearly identifiable
ASC - C - 000 7
MSC - C - 000 9 • A seafood company with a trading office, processing facility and storage unit
Principle 3:
Certified products are When Chain of Custody certification is not needed:
separated from non-certified
• Your company buys pre-packed, labelled certified products that will be sold to the end consumer without
being opened, re-packed or re-labelled. Such items are known as consumer-ready tamper-proof products.
Retail packages of frozen fish fingers or tins of smoked mackerel fillets are examples of consumer-ready
tamper-proof products
• Your company buys certified products but does not wish to sell these on as certified. In this case the chain
of custody is broken and your customers may not make any claims about the product being certified
Principle 4: • Your company does not take legal ownership of certified seafood. This may be the case if your company
Certified products are provides contracted services for certified companies and therefore can be covered by your customer’s
traceable, and volumes Chain of Custody certificate as a subcontractor
are recorded
Businesses not eligible for Chain of Custody certification:
Principle 5: • A company that has been successfully prosecuted for a forced or child labour violation in the last two years
Your management system
• A company whose certificate was withdrawn for a breach of Chain of Custody in the last two years
addresses the requirements of
the Chain of Custody Standard • A company whose certificate was suspended in the last six months
• Enhanced fishery or farm operations that are out of scope of the MSC Fisheries Standard
or the ASC Farm Standard
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Tuna species
Worldwide there are 23 stocks of the major commercial tuna species: 5 skipjack, 4 yellowfin, 4 bluefin, Bluefin tuna
6 albacore, and 4 bigeye stocks. A recent report from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation There are three bluefin species in four stocks: Western Atlantic,
(ISSF) showed that 65% of tuna stocks were at healthy levels, 13% were overfished and 22% were at Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (Thunnus thynnus), Pacific (T.
an intermediate level4. This page shows important differences between the five major commercial tuna orientalis), and Southern (T. maccoyii). Atlantic bluefin is the largest
species (in alphabetical order). Their differences not only impact their susceptibility to overfishing, tuna species, and they take a long time to grow and reproduce.
but also their taste, price and availability. Eastern Atlantic bluefin are thought to be 100% mature by the age of
five, while those from the Western Atlantic stock are about nine years
old before they reach adulthood75. Bluefin represent just 1% of the
world’s tuna catch4. Due to their higher fat content, they are normally
eaten as sashimi6. Bluefin are highly-prized and regularly set new
sales records in Japanese auctions – one fish sold for 333.6 million
Yen (over 3 million US dollars) in Tokyo’s fish market in early 20197.
Albacore tuna Skipjack tuna
Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) grows more slowly than other tunas such Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) is the smallest and most abundant of
as skipjack and yellowfin and matures later at around 5 years. It is the commercial tuna species. They reproduce quickly and are highly
typically caught in deeper waters, around 400m deep and is found in productive, maturing around 1-2 years of age. Skipjack are caught in
the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, the Mediterranean and even in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans5.
UK waters5.
Albacore represents 4% of the world’s tuna catch and is also known as It is the most popular and generally the most affordable of the tuna
‘white tuna’ due to its light flesh4. It is ideal for canning, due to its dryer species, representing 60% of the world’s tuna catch4. Its small size
texture but is also sold as fresh steak or in jars with olive oil. Albacore provides small loins and chunks, which make them a popular fish
is significantly more expensive than skipjack. for canning6.
Bigeye tuna Yellowfin tuna
Bigeye (Thunnus obesus) is a large tuna that also grows more slowly Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) are a similar sized tuna to bigeye
than yellowfin or skipjack, but matures relatively young, around but mature at around 2 years old4. They reproduce throughout the
three years. It is found in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and year making them highly productive. They are found throughout
represents 7% of the world’s tuna catch4. Because bigeye typically live the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans5 and represent 28% of the
at deeper depths, compared to yellowfin and skipjack, they have a world’s tuna catch4. Yellowfin meat is firm with a mild taste and can
thick layer of fat to insulate them from the colder water. This fat adds be canned or sold as fresh or frozen fillets6.
moisture, that makes bigeye attractive for sashimi markets.
Fish paintings © Scandanavian Fishing Year Book
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
The Tuna Challenge: International tuna
when stocks are perceived as healthy, so any Along with our partners, the MSC is pushing for
management action can be applied quickly when stronger action from RFMOs including coordinating
needed. For example, if a stock falls below a certain timelines for certification conditions. The adoption
governance and management level, the total allowable catch can be reduced by
a pre-defined amount to ensure future harvests are
set at sustainable limits.
of robust, well defined HCRs is a requirement
for the ongoing certification of MSC certified
tuna fisheries. Therefore, as more fisheries have
become MSC certified, increasingly, RFMOs
Tuna are highly-migratory fish and swim thousands of miles each year between multiple jurisdictions. To date, four of the five tuna RFMOs have agreed are being encouraged to adopt and implement
Their culinary popularity, and decades of exploitation by multiple nationalities, have created high pressure on HCRs for particular tuna stocks: responsive harvest strategies that include well-
these valuable stocks and – despite their overall healthy status – caused some tuna populations to decline. • In 2016, the IOTC agreed a landmark HCR for defined HCRs. Retailers can help RFMOs to adopt
skipjack (see case study on page 31) HCRs by encouraging the member delegations to
• The IATTC has agreed on an HCR for yellowfin support their adoption in RFMO meetings.
and bigeye in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
• The CCSBT agreed an HCR for southern bluefin
• In 2018, ICCAT adopted an HCR for North
Atlantic albacore
MSC requires the adoption of HCRs
Movement towards HCRs on other stocks remains
slow, but most RFMOs have plans to deliver these to move from ‘generally understood’
important management measures within the next HCRs to ‘well defined’ HCRs.
five years.
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts Harvest Control Rules
To prevent overfishing, the MSC program requires the
In an effort to bring coordinated international The need for consensus makes decision-making adoption of Harvest Control Rules (HCRs), moving from
management to tuna stocks and ensure sustainable slow and tends to lower the bar to the lowest level ‘generally understood’ HCRs to ‘well defined’ HCRs,
fisheries, five tuna Regional Fisheries Management of management accepted by all members8. This can within an agreed timeframe. HCRs are a set of pre-agreed,
well-defined actions used to determine how much fishing
Organisations (RFMOs)5 were established be especially problematic when there is an urgent
can occur, based on the health of a tuna stock. When stock
around the world in the 1990s and 2000s. These need to reduce fishing pressure on a tuna stock that levels reach certain thresholds, the HCR would inform
organisations each comprise between 21 and is being overexploited. Management by consensus the RFMO response to prevent overfishing, before the
50 member countries, which are the countries can, at times, provide a veto to any individual population declines further. Agreeing ‘well defined’ HCRs
historically involved in catching the tuna and those member state. in advance is considered best practice as it allows the
in whose waters the tuna live. management bodies to avoid overfishing by acting in a
One way to ensure an appropriate response timely and agreed way. In early 2019, the HCR conditions
While RFMOs were designed so that member for all MSC certified tuna fisheries were aligned, so that
to declining tuna stocks is the agreement,
states could jointly develop and set sustainable multiple certified fisheries in the same region can work to
implementation and enforcement of robust Harvest the same timeframes and can coordinate their efforts for
management measures to prevent overfishing of Control Rules (HCRs). HCRs are pre-agreed actions
© Anthony J Rayburn
the adoption of robust harvest strategies supported by
tuna, in many cases these bodies have struggled in response to changes of stock status. Agreeing well-defined HCRs.
to deliver on their sustainability commitments. HCRs is politically challenging given the varied
A key reason is that most decisions in RFMOs See pages 30 and 31 on Harvest Control Rules and to
perspectives and priorities of the participating
read about how the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
require consensus. Finding agreement amongst coastal states. However, consensus can be agreed to implement HCRs.
as many as 50 member states – with conflicting achieved more readily when stocks are healthy,
priorities and interests – is incredibly challenging. so it is important to have HCRs in place even
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Tuna fishing gears
The various gear types used to catch tuna have different impacts and impacts are also specific to individual
regions. The impacts depend on the species, habitats and the natural environment of a given area and how the
fishing gears and fishing operations are modified to reduce their impacts. Even gear types that are seemingly
benign can have negative impacts on the environment.
Due to the varied nature of tuna fisheries, every location. The impact of a fishing gear should be
fishery needs to be individually assessed, taking based on evidence for that specific fishery, rather
into account fishing gear impacts on the ecosystem, than its perceived challenges or benefits. The only
stock status and management practices. The MSC exceptions are fishing with explosives or poisons,
Fisheries Standard requires rigorous monitoring which are excluded from the MSC program.
and management programs for certified fisheries,
to ensure both the target stock and the ecosystem Tuna are caught by a variety of gear types and
remain healthy. fishing methods (see page 18). Purse seine, gillnet,
and pole and line are used to catch tuna near the
In line with United Nations Food and Agriculture surface e.g. skipjack and small yellowfin, albacore
Organization (UNFAO) guidelines, the MSC program and bluefin. Deep-set longlines are used to catch
is open to all types of wild-capture fisheries tuna in deeper waters e.g. larger bluefin, bigeye,
regardless of their size, fishing technique or yellowfin and albacore9.
global Proportion of tuna catch caught by gear type
12.8% Purse seine
Longline
Pole and line
Miscellaneous
3.7% Gillnets
Miscellaneous*
Gillnets
7.8%
Pole & line 65.7%
© istock.com / Aleksander Kamasi
Purse seine
10%
Longline
*Miscellaneous gears are not fully defined but include
handlines, midwater trawling and tuna traps.
Source: 4
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Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Purse seine Pole & line In pole and line fishing, fishermen locate a school
Fishermen locate a school of tuna and set a of tuna, then may scatter small live bait fish and
net around it in a circle. The bottom of the spray water onto the sea surface. This creates
net is pulled closed – like a purse – and the the illusion of an active school of prey, sending
fish are brought on board. Purse seines can the tuna into a feeding frenzy, where they will
be used to catch fish congregating around bite anything they see. Fishermen then line up,
fish aggregating devices (FADs)10 or on ‘free equipped with hand-held poles with barbless
schools’ of tuna (see page 20-25). Purse seine hooks. Once a tuna bites, the fisherman flicks it up
fishing represents 66% of global tuna catches over their head and onto the deck16. Like in purse
but they are used for catching 95% of Eastern seine fishing, pole and line fishing can also be
Pacific yellowfin and 79% of Western and used to catch fish that congregate around FADs, or
Central Pacific skipjack4. on ‘free schools’ of tuna (see page 20-25). Pole and
line fishing represents 8% of global tuna catches
but they are used for catching 29% of North Pacific
albacore and 19% of Indian Ocean skipjack4.
Longline
Longline fisheries trail a main line behind a
boat. Baited hooks are attached at regular
intervals to attract the target species13. The
line can be between 1 and 30 miles long,
Trolling
Trolling is a type of handline fishing. A slow-
with up to 3,000 hooks per line14. Longline
moving boat tows multiple (10 to 20) fishing
fishing represents 10% of global tuna
lines that are baited with hooks used to lure
catches but they are used for catching 34% of
in the fish. The lines can be hauled in by hand
Eastern Pacific Ocean bigeye and 96%
or mechanically. Whilst trolling represents
of South Pacific Ocean albacore4.
less than 12% of tuna catches worldwide, it is
used to catch 16% of Atlantic Ocean northern
albacore and 19% of North Pacific albacore4.
Gillnets
A gillnet is a ‘curtain’ of netting that hangs
in the water15. Fish swim into the net and get
caught by their gills. Gillnets represent just
4% of global tuna catches but they are used
for catching 19% of Indian Ocean skipjack “Different fisheries have vastly different impacts depending
and 20% of Indian Ocean yellowfin4.
on how the fishing gears are used and where the tuna is fished.”
Bill Holden, MSC Senior Tuna Fisheries Outreach Manager
18 19Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Fishing methods: Fish Aggregating Devices
and free-school fishing
Tuna are highly migratory, ranging over thousands of miles. Some fishermen track tuna or follow these
migrations to catch the tuna schools, this is called ‘free school’ fishing. Other fishermen use objects to help
them locate and catch the tuna more easily, called Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). This section discusses
both of these methods and any associated environmental impacts.
Purse seine nets and poles and lines are set and deployed on free-swimming schools of tuna, which are
not associated with floating objects or other marine life. This can result in lower bycatch, but also smaller
catches, compared to nets or lines that are set on schools of tuna associated with FADs17.
The following graph shows differences in average bycatch rates found between the FAD and free-school
tuna fisheries. Data is not available on the differences in bycatch rates for specific gear types.
FADS and Free-school bycatch IN PURSE SEINE FISHERIES
10.0%
FAD catch bycatch
Free-school
8.0% bycatch rate
6.0%
4.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Atlantic Eastern Pacific Indian Western & Central
Ocean Ocean Ocean Pacific Ocean
Source: 18
Various environmental NGOs, including Greenpeace, • There is no internationally-accepted distance After consulting the industry, environmental NGOs entering assessment for the first time from 25
have campaigned to support free-school fishing that a fishing boat has to be from a FAD to count and fishing experts, the MSC recently updated September 2020. The MSC is already working with
© Juan Vilata / Shutterstock.com
because of the lower levels of bycatch. While as ‘free-school’ fishing, but distances can range its requirements so that from March 2023 purse the International Sustainable Seafood Foundation
free-school sets do have a range of benefits, from 1 to 5 nautical miles. This could result in seine tuna fisheries catching free-school tuna and (ISSF), tuna fisheries and scientists to support
there are also some drawbacks, including: fishing being conducted on a FAD-associated tuna associated with fish aggregating devices these fisheries to improve the use and management
school of tuna even though the fishery purports (FADs) will need to seek certification for their entire of FADs to meet the high bar for sustainable fishing
• Given the time needed to find the tuna schools, to be fishing using free-school methods catch (see page 41 Unit of Assessment). The new set by the MSC Standard.
it is expensive, so fishing boats typically also certification process will take effect for fisheries
fish using FADs on the same trip
20 21Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
Due to their highly-migratory nature, it can Other issues with drifting FADs include their 40% of the world’s
be extremely difficult for fishermen to locate potential effects on tuna migration and the
a tuna school. materials they are made from: if a FAD becomes skipjack is caught
lost or derelict, it can damage corals or contribute using FADs
Many fish species including tuna, are attracted to ocean plastic. This is problematic because there
to, and aggregate around, floating objects in are an estimated 90,000-120,000 FADs worldwide20
the ocean. Firstly, small fish are attracted to the so their cumulative impact can be damaging if not There are an estimated
structure of the FAD, and in turn, this attracts bigger managed effectively. 90,000-120,000 FADs
pelagic fish such as tuna. As a result of this natural
FAD Improvements in the oceans today
behaviour, the fishing industry developed Fish
Aggregating Devices (FADs) to make finding and Some segments of the tuna fishing industry –
fishing tuna easier. in partnership with research institutions – are
developing measures to reduce the impact of FADs
FADs are modified natural or man-made floating through technological improvements in FAD design,
objects, often floating wooden structures with which have advanced considerably over recent
hanging nets, used to attract fish18. Once the fish are years. For example, some fisheries are adopting the
aggregated, the fishermen deploy nets or cast fishing use of biodegradable and non-entangling drifting
lines close to FADs to catch the tuna. FADs can be FADs to reduce their persistence in the marine
drifting or anchored, entangling or non-entangling, environment and reduce the entanglement of
and can be made from biodegradable materials. non-target species.
All have different impacts on the environment
depending on where and how they are used. FADs These efforts, combined with improved tracking and
are used in 65% of purse seine sets18 and in 40% of data collection, licensing and registration of FADs,
the world’s skipjack catch19. monitoring and retrieval of old FADs, and purse
seine gear modifications, have enabled fisheries
Impacts of FAD Use using FADs to reduce their non-target bycatch to
levels at which MSC certification is a possibility.
FADs, particularly those that are left to drift on the
high seas, are highly controversial because of their These improvements led to the first tuna fishery using
potential impact on the marine environment. This drifting FADs to achieve MSC certification in 2018.
poses a risk to the sustainability of tuna fisheries Working with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
because marine life can become entangled in the and Seychelles authorities, the Echebastar purse
nets that are attached to some designs of FADs. seine tuna fishery has actively sought to reduce
bycatch of non-target species by reducing numbers
The aggregation of species other than tuna beneath of FADs, deploying only non-entangling FADs and With advances in FAD design, monitoring and
FADs also makes them more likely to be caught ensuring the rapid release of non-target species. management, and new requirements for a purse
as bycatch in the same nets or lines used to catch These efforts demonstrate leadership within the tuna seine tuna fishery’s entire catch to be MSC certified,
tuna. This causes concern among NGOs, creates fishing industry. Now certified, this fishery will also be we expect to see more tuna fisheries using FADs to
apprehension about sourcing from fisheries that required, as a condition of its certification, to invest in achieve MSC certification in the next few years. The
© ISSF / Nando Rivero
use FADs and therefore requires greater assurances research and practices to further reduce the potential MSC is working with fisheries and other organisations
of the sustainability of tuna caught in association impacts of FADs and better understand their impacts to help them to understand what needs to happen to
with FADs. (see case study, page 64). ensure the long-term sustainability of these fisheries.
22 23Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
FADs explained
MSC certification is based on comprehensive assessment of the impacts of a fishery and the environment
within which it operates. Following UNFAO guidelines any fishing gear, except explosives and poisons,
is eligible to be assessed under the MSC program. Therefore, the MSC does not explicitly exclude fishing
vessels that set on FADs from being certified. However, any fishery with high non-target bycatch or impacts
from lost FADs will need to make improvements to meet the MSC Standard’s minimum criteria
for environmental impact (Principle 2) and achieve certification. Drifting FADs ( FADs)
Natural FADs Anchored FADs Non-entangling dFADs Entangling dFADs
Some tuna fisheries target natural structures The FAD is a raft – often made of bamboo – fixed Non-entangling dFADs drift with ocean currents and Entangling dFADs have nets that hang in the water
or floating objects, including free-floating logs to an anchored buoy, usually in coastal waters. winds. Non-entangling dFADs use ropes or rolled column from a floating structure.
(tree trunks) and large marine animals, such Anchored FADs (often referred to as aFADs) can be up nets to avoid entangling marine creatures. Each
Risks: The nets serve to attract a greater variety
as whale sharks, around which fish congregate. either non-entangling or entangling. They are used dFAD has a buoy with a reference number and a GPS
of animals and can result in them being caught.
This is referred to as ‘natural-associated’ or by both commercial and subsistence fisheries and unit so the fishermen can find them22.
The dFADs can be constructed using a variety of
‘object-associated’ fishing17. are most commonly associated with pole and line Risks: Evidence is still needed to fully determine materials. The ones that have open nets hanging
fishing. The FAD stays in the same position and the impact of lost dFADs. from the raft tend to have the highest rates of
Risks: Because gear set on natural FADs may
doesn’t drift, reducing the risk of it getting lost or entanglement22.
be close to large marine animals, it can result Mitigation: Non-entangling dFADs can be designed
damaging reefs.
in their bycatch. to reduce the risk of entangling animals22. The first Mitigation: Entangling dFADs can be modified
Risks: These FADs can be anchored in vulnerable certified fishery to use dFADs in 2018 uses 100% e.g. by rolling the nets up into ‘sausages’,
Mitigation: Due to the impact on whale sharks in
habitats, such as corals and can be associated with non-entangling dFADs. to reduce the risk of entangling other animals.
the Parties to the Nauru Agreement tuna fishery
catching juvenile yellowfin. Some anchored FADs
(see case study on page 72), the fishery banned Used in: MSC certified Echebastar purse seine
also include entangling nets which can result in
setting purse seine nets on whale sharks in skipjack fishery.
non-target species being caught in the FAD nets.
201221. Other fisheries require a set distance
between the natural FAD and where fishing gear Mitigation: Anchoring in vulnerable habitats can be
can be deployed. avoided. Fishermen can relocate their fishing if too
many juveniles are being caught in a particular area. Biodegradable FADs
Used In: No MSC certified fisheries set on
Several companies have begun using non-entangling, biodegradable FADs to reduce the impact of discarded FADs
whale sharks. Used in: MSC certified fisheries in the Maldives, the on coral reefs and to reduce the rate of plastics entering the ocean.
Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
24 25Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Fishing methods: Longline Fishing
Roughly 10% of the world’s tuna catch is harvested using longlines4. Of the 63 tuna fisheries currently
engaged in the MSC program, 25 use longlines. These include the Cook Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia and Marshall Islands longline fisheries (see page 60) and the Australian Eastern Tuna and
Billfish Fishery (see page 58).
As the name suggests, longline tuna fisheries set a measures include the use of tori-lines which scare Circle hooks monitoring methods. For example, the Australian
longline behind a boat in the midwater or pelagic away seabirds, prohibiting the use of shark gear and Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery (see page 58) has
The Australian Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery (see
zone. Baited hooks are attached to the lines at wire leaders to reduce the catch of sharks and rays, 100% electronic monitoring on all vessels.
page 58) is one of many certified longline fisheries
intervals to attract tuna. Longlines are ideal for and circle hooks to prevent the incidental capture
that uses circle hooks to reduce sea turtle capture.
catching tuna species that inhabit deeper waters, such of sea turtles. MSC certified longline tuna fisheries New technologies
Circle hooks can prevent sea turtles from becoming
as albacore, bigeye and yellowfin. have introduced a range of mitigation measures to
captured if they eat bait from the longline76. Instead of Certified fisheries are required to regularly review the
minimise their interactions with non-target species.
a J-shaped hook, the sharp tip of a circle hook points ETP mitigation measures that they have in place to see
Without careful management, longline fisheries can
inwards like a capital letter G creating a flat surface
have unintended interactions with non-target fish, Tori lines and bycatch release if improvements can be made or if newer technologies
that is still effective at catching target species but
seabirds, and other marine life. In order to become are available. For example, the SATHOAN longline
Fiji’s longline albacore, yellowfin and bigeye first prevents turtles from becoming captured.
certified, fisheries are required to demonstrate that bluefin tuna fishery (see page 62) is developing an
became certified in 2012. To meet the requirements
impacts on non-target species are low. Once certified, app to monitor interactions with ETP species, and is
of MSC certification, the fishery introduced tori lines As a requirement of certification, the fishery has also
fisheries are often required to make improvements working to develop pingers that deter sharks
to scare seabirds away from the lines, as well as introduced tori lines and weighted lines to prevent
to their monitoring programs, and to implement and rays from their longline gear, minimising
turtle release gear. The fishery also trained all of its interactions with seabirds as well as prohibiting the
measures that further mitigate interactions with non-
onboard crew in the use of dehooking devices and discharge of offal during setting and hauling to reduce incidental mortalities.
target species.
other methods for bycatch release. As a condition incidental sea bird captures.
of certification, an onboard bycatch monitoring
Mitigation measures system was put in place, along with greater observer Increased observer coverage
Bycatch mitigation measures minimise interactions coverage. As a result of mitigation measures,
In addition to mitigation measures, MSC certified
between fishing gear and non-target species such interactions with ETP species are very low in
tuna fisheries have made improvements to their
as seabirds, turtles and sharks. In longline fisheries, this fishery.
understanding of ETP interactions by improving their
© Wolfgang Pölzer / Alamy
26 27Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Considerations in sourcing tuna The health of tuna stocks around the world4
Southern
Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean Western-Central Eastern Pacific
Stock status Species
(IOTC) (ICCAT) Pacific (WCPFC) (IATTC)
Hemisphere
(CCSBT)
Skipjack East and West ◊ n/a
Worldwide there are 23 stocks of the major What is MSY?
commercial tuna species (6 albacore, 4 bigeye, Yellowfin n/a
In population ecology MSY is the largest average
4 bluefin, 5 skipjack and 4 yellowfin stocks). A recent Bigeye n/a
yield (catch) that can theoretically be taken from
report from the ISSF shows that 65% of tuna stocks North and
a species’ stock over an indefinite period under
are at a healthy level of abundance, 13% are South Atlantic
constant environmental conditions. It is usually Albacore North and South Pacific n/a
overfished and 22% are at an intermediate level4.
measured in tonnes23. To have a viable and thriving Mediterranean
How MSC certification addresses fishing sector, the size of fish stocks must be at, or
stock challenges above, levels where they can produce the maximum Bluefin
n/a East and West Pacific Bluefin
sustainable yield over an indefinite timeframe. (three species)
Principle 1 of the MSC Fisheries Standard asks:
Source: 4
Are enough mature fish left in the ocean to breed? The state of stocks in MSC
Fishing must be managed at a level that ensures it certified fisheries Stock is at or Stock below BMSY but it has been stable, Stock is below BMSY
can continue indefinitely and the fish population
An analysis of stock data from nine regions of the above BMSY* increasing, or fluctuating around and it has not been
can remain productive and healthy. For those stocks
world shows that MSC certified fisheries target stocks SSBMSY** because the stock is being stable, increasing
that are depleted, fishing must be conducted in a
with healthy biomass. In nearly all regions, stocks managed at FMSY***. Yellow is also used or fluctuating
manner that demonstrably leads to their recovery.
targeted by certified fisheries have higher biomass in in the absence of a stock assessment around BMSY
One of the six questions in Principle 1 looks at the years following certification24.
the size of the total fish stock. For a fishery to be ◊ The Eastern Pacific skipjack stock status is subject to high uncertainty. The last stock assessment
A smaller group of stocks targeted by certified was in 2012 and this species is managed through the measures in place for bigeye and yellowfin.
certified without conditions, the target fish stock
fisheries were below the MSY level, but above
– the amount of mature fish in the stock – must
the biological limit for recovery, i.e. the minimum
be at (or around) a level consistent with Maximum
amount of fish needed for a stock to be able to
Sustainable Yield (MSY).
rebuild to healthy levels. Fisheries on these stocks According to ISSF, skipjack stocks, which make up total tuna catch comes from stocks where fishing is
are required to show that stocks are rebuilding in more than half of global catches, are generally healthy. not well managed.
order to remain MSC certified. The Pacific bluefin stock is overfished, with evidence
of recovery existing for the Southern bluefin. For both Global catch of tuna has tended to increase
For example, the North Atlantic albacore stock eastern and western stocks of Atlantic bluefin, while consistently, from less than 0.6 million tonnes
reduced catches by setting a conservative Total there is uncertainty on the status of the two stocks in 1950, to more than 6 million tonnes today
Allowable Catch to rebuild the stock back toward there is evidence of a strong recovery and overfishing (UN FAO). With these trends continuing there is
sustainable levels. Following the rebuilding, the is not occurring. Albacore stocks are generally an urgent need not only to reduce fishing pressure
stock now has a well-defined HCR in place to healthy, with uncertainty in the Mediterranean stock on those stocks already overfished, but to protect
maintain it at a sustainable level, consistent assessment resulting in a yellow rating, but some and effectively manage those currently in a
with MSY. yellowfin stocks are declining or overfished. 15% of the healthy state.
* BMSY is the biomass associated with the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), where the biomass is simply the body weight of all the fish of one specific stock in the water. Biomass is
measured in tonnes. MSY is the largest yield of fish that can be caught from a specific fish stock over an indefinite period under constant environmental conditions.
** SSBMSY is the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) associated with the MSY.
*** FMSY is the fishing mortality rate consistent with achieving the MSY.
28 29Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Harvest Control Rules
Harvest strategies and Harvest Control Rules (HCRs) each situation independently. This is particularly To date, four of the five tuna RFMOs have agreed HCRs (see previous page). Therefore, as more
define how catches should be reduced if a fish stock important with tuna and other highly migratory HCRs for particular tuna stocks. Other tuna fisheries fisheries become MSC certified, increasingly,
declines. HCRs are recognized as best practice in stocks managed by RFMOs since the decision- in the MSC program aligned their HCR conditions RFMOs are being encouraged to adopt HCRs.
fisheries management. They are tied to scientifically making body is made up of many independent in spring 2019, accelerating some, and extending
derived reference points and are incorporated in the states, and a consensus is needed. This situation others, so that multiple certified fisheries in the Along with our partners, the MSC is pushing
MSC Fisheries Standard. can delay decision making by many years, and same region could coordinate their efforts. for stronger action from RFMOs. Retailers can
when fish stocks start to drop, delays in adopting encourage RFMOs to adopt harvest strategies and
A fish stock usually declines because the number of conservation measures almost always lead to At present, the majority of MSC certified tuna HCRs by encouraging the member delegations from
young fish coming into the population has been low further decline. fisheries have a condition to adopt well-defined each country to support them in RFMO meetings.
or catches have been too high. This is like a business
that finds itself with lower sales than expected, The assessments of most tuna fisheries to the
or higher expenditures. Either circumstance can MSC Fisheries Standard have identified the need
damage the company’s balance sheet and put it at for improvements to, or adoption of, well-defined
risk. If the board of a business does not react rapidly,
the business can go bankrupt. The business needs to
harvest strategies and HCRs.
CASE STUDY: ADOPTING HCRs FOR SKIPJACK IN THE
Responding to the need for well-defined HCRs, and
respond quickly to save the business, and likewise,
RFMOs need to respond quickly when stocks decline. pressure from some fisheries wishing to achieve or INDIAN OCEAN TUNA COMMISSION (IOTC)
maintain MSC certification, RFMOs are intensifying
HCRs that are pre-agreed, well defined and their efforts to develop HCRs for many stocks.
The Maldives pole & line skipjack tuna fishery These actions resulted in a final resolution that
scientifically tested can be triggered much As a result, all tuna RFMOs now have the delivery
became MSC certified in 2012 with key conditions was passed by all but one of the IOTC members,
faster, and with more reliable effect, than simply of HCRs and harvest strategies for most stocks that the fishery would have effective HCRs by the demonstrating their collective commitment to
asking the management authority to consider set within their work plans by the early 2020s. fourth annual audit in 2016. To make this happen, tuna sustainability. Adoption of the HCR is a core
the HCRs had to be developed and passed through component of maintaining the fishery’s certificate
consensus by the IOTC. To aid this process, the and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Maldivian Government proposed the development
Tuna stocks with HCRs and stocks where MSC certified of interim Harvest Control Rules for adoption at the
2014 Commission meeting. Dr David Agnew, then MSC Science
fisheries have committed to delivering HCRs There followed months of meetings and collaboration and Standards Director said:
among fishers, industry groups, NGOs and retailers “The MSC’s requirements for
to gain support for HCRs in between IOTC meetings.
Species
Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean Western-Central Eastern Pacific well-defined harvest control rules
(IOTC) I (ICCAT) II Pacific (WCPFC) III (IATTC) IV The IPNLF hosted a workshop, supported by the have been a catalyst for this
MSC, WWF, the International Seafood Sustainability
Skipjack HCR in place 2022 2022
Managed by the HCR Foundation (ISSF), Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer decision. We applaud the efforts of
of YFT and BET
and World Wise Foods, helping to build support for the Maldivian fishers who, along
Yellowfin 2022 HCR in place the Maldivian proposal. In the months before the
2016 IOTC commission meeting, retailers and brands with the IPNLF and other industry
Bigeye HCR in place also added their voice to calls for the HCR. Their and NGO groups, have shown strong
commitment to sustainably sourced tuna provided
2022
further incentive for international agreement on the
leadership in finding a consensus
(South Pacific stock)
Albacore HCR in place
2023
2023 protection of tuna stocks for the future. on this vitally important issue.”
(North Pacific stock)
Bluefin 2024
I Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
II International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Empty cells are those stocks where there is no HCR. III Western Central Pacific Tuna Commission
IV Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
30 31Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Bycatch and Endangered,
Threatened and Protected (ETP) Species
Fish live in multi-species communities, so wherever considered valuable (either for commercial reasons, demonstrate it was having no impacts on turtle and These fisheries provide example of the MSC’s
there is fishing it is always possible there could be or for subsistence). Either way, it is important that all shark populations, and the Usufuku bluefin tuna Theory of Change, where even certified fisheries
some incidental capture of non-target species i.e. species, including non-target species, are managed fishery changed the bait it used to avoid depleting are required to continue making improvements
those species that the fishery did not intend to catch. effectively and there is good information about their squid populations. to address conditions identified during the
population status and impacts. assessment process. The MSC certification process
It is also common for fisheries to target more than A fishery’s impact on ETP species should always be promotes the adoption of best practice measures to
one species at a time due to market demands, MSC certified fisheries are required to investigate and minimised. Catching these species should be avoided reduce interactions with ETP species.
profitability and the availability of different species. minimise bycatch wherever possible. This is especially (by implementing measures to minimise the chance
This is especially common in mixed fisheries, true for interactions with Endangered, Threatened and of their capture). When they are accidentally caught, A new requirement was added to the most recent
where many species are caught in one area or Protected (ETP) species, such as turtles and some version of the MSC Fisheries Standard (version
handling practices should be implemented to ensure
type of fishery e.g. trap fisheries. shark and seabird species. 2.0, effective from 2015) for fisheries to regularly
their safe release and to maximise their chance of
survival. Certified fisheries have made improvements review alternative bycatch mitigation measures and
To be MSC certified, fishing activity must not have To date, 22 conditions set for MSC certified tuna
to train crew in species identification as well as implement them wherever appropriate.
a long-term detrimental impact on the population fisheries have been met, resulting in significant
© Searsie / istock.com
of any marine species. reductions to the level of bycatch and interactions improving handling and release protocols to maximise
with ETP species. For example, the Fiji albacore tuna survival of released bycatch including turtles (e.g.
Non-target species that are caught may be considered fishery has implemented measures to reduce bycatch Fiji’s longline albacore, yellowfin and bigeye), rays
as ‘bycatch’ (because they are not the main target of sharks; the Australian Eastern Tuna and Billfish (e.g. Talleys New Zealand skipjack tuna purse seine)
species), but they may still be retained if they are fishery conducted an ecological risk assessment to and sharks (e.g. Cook Islands, see page 60).
32 33Sustainable Tuna Handbook Sustainable Tuna Handbook
Shark Finning
Shark finning is the practice of removing any of into the MSC Standard in 2013. We have seen a This strengthens the MSC’s commitment that certified Fins Naturally Attached policies have been adopted
the fins of a shark (including the tail) while at sea dramatic decline in incidents of shark finning fisheries are not engaged in shark finning whilst and if the MSC’s requirements need to change in
and discarding the remainder of the shark at sea within MSC certified tuna fisheries. For example, ensuring that a whole fleet does not lose its MSC order to continue to reflect global best practice.
(MSC-MSCI Vocabulary v1.3 (2020)). It is prohibited the MSC certified PNA purse seine skipjack fishery certification because of the actions of one member.
within MSC certified fisheries. achieved a 99% reduction between 2013 and 201926 The Review will conclude in 2022, following
Shark finning is also being considered as part of stakeholder consultation and impact testing of
(see case study on page 72).
Because sharks are slow-growing, long-living fish the Fisheries Standard Review. This will look at the possible changes to the MSC Fisheries Standard.
that usually produce few offspring, many species measures that fisheries have in place to ensure that
Our current requirements mean the vessel of any
are at high risk of overfishing. It is estimated that 97 shark finning is not occurring, including how widely
company or fisher convicted of shark finning will not
to 100 million sharks25 are killed every year for the
be eligible for MSC certification for at least two years.
shark market, with many of these ending up in the
If evidence of shark finning is detected during an audit
shark fin trade.
or assessment, the fishery faces suspension unless it
Requirements to demonstrate that shark finning is can show the offending vessel has been expelled from Find out more and contribute to the
not taking place in a certified fishery were introduced the certificate. MSC Fisheries Standard Review at msc.org/fsr
© Martin Hristov / shutterstock.com
© Lano Lan / shutterstock.com
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