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As key tuna producers and exporters globally, developing countries are exposed to voluntary sustainability certification to respond to market and consumer demands. Only recently, small-scale fisheries have received attention in this respect. Despite small volumes traded, fishing activities are essential for maintaining the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. Their environmental footprint is lower than large-scale fisheries, yet lack of capital, capabilities, and conflicting interests along the value chain have hindered their participation in certification schemes. This study employs Sen's capability approach to understand the extent to which a voluntary standard develops the capabilities of small-scale tuna fishers. We use a case study of the Fair Trade USA Capture Fisheries Standard (CFS) in the province of Maluku, Indonesia, established in collaboration with an Indonesian non-governmental organization, Yayasan Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia. We show that fishers use a bundle of different kinds of capitals to develop their capabilities for compliance with the certification standard. This bundle of capitals consists of a combination of prescribed capitals (the capitals necessary to comply with the certification standard) and alternative capitals that fishers use to develop their abilities for their compliance. Instead of using human capital as emphasized by the certification standard, in this study, we found that fishers use social capital as their main capital to comply with the standard, which makes it the primary source for improving their capabilities. In conclusion, we found support for the need to strengthen flexibility in the implementation of sustainability standards to increase their effectiveness as a sustainability governance mechanism. • Bundle of capitals provides a key concept in operationalizing Sen's capability approach. • Fishers who apply expanded strategies using a bundle of capitals have more freedom to develop their capabilities. • Certification standard has to support the capabilities of small-scale fishers beyond the transfer of knowledge and skills. • Expansion of freedom and flexibility is only possible with the involvement of many institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multifaceted impacts of 'ghost fishing' are currently representing severe threats to the marine environment, with detrimental effects on ecosystems, species, and habitats. This article examines whether and how the tuna-RFMOs have implemented legal obligations applicable to minimize catch by abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear through a systematic assessment of all their adopted conservation and management measures between 2000 and 2023. The study yields several findings, including that two of the organizations at present have not adopted any measures to minimize catch by lost, abandoned, or otherwise discarded fishing gear, and that there generally exists considerable gaps between what is required as a matter of international law regulating fishing gear, and the efforts currently taken by the tuna-RFMOs to minimize 'ghost fishing.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, many fisheries choose to be assessed against the Marine Stewardship Council's Fisheries Standard to receive recognition for their sustainable fishing practices and derive economic or other benefits. Some of these fisheries fail an assessment or withdraw from the eco-labelling program before or after having been certified. Understanding factors associated with fisheries joining or leaving the MSC program may provide insights into the balance between the rewards of certification versus challenges of meeting and maintaining sustainability requirements. Here, we use competing risks survival models to quantify rates of certification, assessment failure and withdrawal from the program, and attribute these outcomes to several predictor variables. Of fishery units entering their first assessment, 79 % were predicted to become certified, 4 % to fail, and 17 % to withdraw before completion. Of fishery units that were ever certified, 19 % have been observed and 31 % are predicted to eventually withdraw from the program or fail a re-assessment. Post-certification withdrawal rates were strongly influenced by whether or not certification was suspended as a result of no longer meeting Fisheries Standard requirements; 73 % of fisheries which have ever been under suspension eventually withdrew compared with only 8 % of fisheries which have never been suspended, and in any given month, being under suspension carried a 23-fold greater risk of withdrawal compared to equivalent months not under suspension. As the reasons for suspension are most commonly associated with the sustainability status of target stocks, these results suggest that the main reason for fisheries leaving the MSC program is associated with changes in stock status that result in fisheries no longer meeting the corresponding requirements. • Most fishery units ever entering MSC assessment passed and remain certified. • Fisheries withdrawing from the MSC program were often under suspension at the time. • Most suspensions result from not meeting sustainability requirements for target stocks. • Higher recent withdrawal rates may reflect stricter certification requirements. • Tuna fisheries had higher risk of failing assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the value chain of Taiwan's distant-water tuna longline fishing industry and evaluates its impact on the country's GDP. Using empirical models, the research covers the period from 2016 to 2019, highlighting variations in the industry and related sectors' contribution to the GDP, which ranged from 0.804% to 0.640%. In response to regulatory challenges, the government has sought to optimize fleet size through vessel reduction. During the same period, the primary fisheries sector was the main contributor to the industry's GDP, with a contribution rate fluctuating between 0.383% and 0.518%. This was followed by contributions from the fisheries input sector (contribution rate: 0.144% to 0.161%) and the marketing and service sectors (contributing 0.090% to 0.100% to the fisheries GDP). The findings suggest that the revenue of distant-water tuna fishing companies primarily derives from the direct sales of fish products. However, operational costs are continually increasing with rising international oil prices and ethical concerns surrounding seafood sourcing. Therefore, the Taiwanese government should promote expanded participation of companies in the processing and service marketing sectors. SoonYi, an exemplary company, has successfully integrated primary production, processing, and marketing operations, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach. By aligning with evolving international market demands, adhering to rigorous standards like the Marine Stewardship Council, and prioritizing the rights of fishing workers, tuna fishing companies can elevate the value of seafood products and strengthen Taiwan's position as a leader in the distant-water tuna fishing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishing activities, at sea and on land, continue to raise serious concerns, particularly in the developing world. Practices at sea affect fish stocks, ecology, national economic benefits, and livelihoods, with the inherent inhuman treatment of crew and other workers presenting serious human-rights challenges. Human-rights abuses in the Pacific Island Countries' (PICs') fishing industry is alarming. We use a human-rights approach to explore the concerns and complexities of fishing activities with particular reference to the tuna industry. We examine the nature and drivers of human-rights violation in the industry and identify policy measures that can contribute to management efforts at addressing the challenge. Departing from the 'traditional' stock, revenue, environment, and ecology discourse, we point out that violation of human-rights in the industry is a concern, often overlooked by existing enforcement and regulatory policies. This paper further identifies the implications of criminal fishing activities on front-line players and stresses the need for socioeconomic justice in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia's tuna fisheries sector encounters significant challenges in its development, primarily due to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices that have led to the depletion of tuna stocks. This depletion poses a significant threat to the Indonesian economy, given the key, pivotal role that tuna fisheries play in contributing 2.65% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and accounting for approximately 16% of the world's total tuna production. To highlight the threat, this research employs quantitative data collected from government institutions, supplemented with data from a literature review and analysis of media reports and selected publications that addressed IUU tuna fishing practices in Indonesia. It was noted that (1) illegal fishing practices in Indonesia include crimes against human rights (forced labor and human trafficking), corruption (monetary), and tuna smuggling; (2) unreported fishing practices at tuna fisheries include faulty documents (misreported, unrecorded catches); and (3) unregulated fishing practices at tuna fisheries include catch transshipments by both small-scale and industrial fishing fleets. Decisive law enforcement and active coordination among Indonesian law enforcement authorities, as well as fisher involvement, are factors for successful reduction and control of IUU fishing practices through the Indonesian Ocean Policy (IOP) in Indonesia. The implementation of the IOP to combat IUU fishing could have a transformative effect on the patterns of IUU fishing in Indonesia. Here, we review recent developments in IUU fishing practices, and discuss the opportunities to regulate sustainable tuna fisheries policies in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portugal, with the highest per capita fish consumption and expenditure in the European Union, provides an excellent case study for examining the effects of COVID-19 containment measures on fishing activity. The present study focused exclusively on data obtained from mainland Portugal, covering the years 2015–2021. The analysis included different time periods: namely, pre-lockdown, during lockdown, and post-lockdown. The primary objective was to investigate and gain insights into the potential effects of lockdown measures on the quantity (catch volume) and price ($/Kg) of different fish species groups. During the lockdown, professional fishermen experienced lower quantities, compared to the average of previous years (2015–2019), in some months (March, April and May), of tuna (−44%: from 85 ton to 47 ton), small pelagic fish (−41.8%: from 4510 ton to 2627 ton), crustaceans (−31.9%: from 94 ton to 64 ton), and bivalves (−33.5%: from 412 ton to 274) being landed. Although prices fluctuated, only crustaceans showed a significant decrease in value (−34.8%: from 14.85$/Kg to 9.68 $/Kg). Groundfish, flatfish, cephalopods, and other marine fish groups did not experience any significant impacts on landing quantities. Although there was some recovery in catch volume and market prices in the post-closure period, indicating a certain level of resilience in the sector, the socio-economic context indirectly exacerbated the profitability challenges faced by the fishing industry due to COVID-19. Given the potential for future socio-economic crises, policymakers (e.g., country government) and stakeholders (e.g., Fishers' associations, HORECA) should prepare comprehensive and easily implementable measures to strengthen the sector and minimize potential disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fish aggregating devices (FADs) have over recent decades, become an integral tool in commercial tuna fisheries due to their increased efficiency over free school catches. Technological development has further aided in their increased usage and reliance by many fleets. The negative consequences of FADs include higher rates of non-target species such as juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tunas. Management of this negative consequence has to date been undertaken by spatial and/or temporal closures to fishing. These closures can result in an economic burden to fishermen via reduced catch rates, coastal states trying to sell access rights to fishing grounds at the same rate with no closure in place, and canneries through variability in supply and subsequent volatility in market prices. This paper examines the economic benefits of replacing closures with FAD set limits which place a hard limit on the total number of FAD sets that can be made in any given period. The analysis indicates that economic gains can be achieved at all levels of the supply chain from the fishing vessel through to the consumer. Highlights • FAD closures cause an economic burden on all parts of the supply chain. • FAD set limits can achieve the same environmental outcome. • FAD set limits can reduce the economic burden across the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Seafood mislabeling is receiving increased attention by civil society, and programs and policies to address it are being implemented widely. Yet, evidence for the causes of mislabeling are largely limited to anecdotes and untested hypotheses. Mislabeling is commonly assumed to be motivated by the desire to label a lesser value product as a higher value one. Using price data from mislabeling studies, Δ mislabel is estimated (i.e., the difference between the price of a labeled seafood product and its substitute when it was not mislabeled) and a meta-analysis is conducted to evaluate the evidence for an overall mislabeling for profit driver for seafood fraud. Evidence is lacking; rather, Δ mislabel is highly variable. Country nor location in the supply chain do not account for the observed heterogeneity. The Δ mislabel of substitute species, however, provides insights. Some species, such a sturgeon caviar, Atlantic Salmon, and Yellowfin Tuna have a positive Δ mislabel , and may have the sufficient characteristics to motivate mislabeling for profit. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and Patagonian Toothfish have a negative Δ mislabel , which could represent an incentive to mislabel in order to facilitate market access for illegally-landed seafood. Most species have price differentials close to zero—suggesting other incentives may be influencing seafood mislabeling. Less than 10% of studies report price information; doing so more often could provide insights into the motivations for fraud. The causes of mislabeling appear to be diverse and context dependent, as opposed to being driven primarily by one incentive. Highlights • Despite an increase in research and attention, little is known about the causes of seafood mislabeling. • Results from a meta-analysis suggest that that causes of mislabeling are diverse and context dependent. • Less than 10% of mislabeling studies report information on price. • More attention to collecting price data could provide insights into the motivations for seafood fraud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Many tuna stocks are being depleted, and the bluefin tuna stock is of particular concern because it has been designated endangered or severely overexploited. Japan's actions are pivotal in protecting bluefin tuna stocks because high volumes are caught for sushi/sashimi. However, the efforts of the Japanese government to conserve these valuable stocks have been limited or even counterproductive, as the government currently seems to prioritise the short-term interests of the domestic fishing industry. In this study, public preferences are revealed, potentially affecting the position of the Japanese government in the long run by quantifying the extent to which public support could be generated with changes in specific features of the international agreement on the conservation and management of tuna resources. With a choice experiment that focused on the catch limits, target species, and parties who would be responsible for the expenses of monitoring, this paper finds that a fishery closure is the scenario least likely to inspire public support for tuna conservation. Japanese consumers favour a prompt management response to the overfishing of tuna fisheries beginning immediately when the exploitation of the stocks reaches an unsustainable level. Atlantic/Pacific bluefin tuna, compared to other tuna species, is a top conservation priority for Japanese consumers. These results indicate that although the current movement towards conserving bluefin tuna is publicly supported, conservation actions should have been initiated sufficiently early to avoid a drastic catch reduction before the stock was overfished or the population became endangered. Highlights • Revealed public preferences for international agreement over management of tuna. • Used choice experiment featuring catch limits, target species, monitoring parties. • Found a fishery closure was the least likely scenario to inspire public support. • Prompt response when the exploitation reaches an unsustainable level was favoured. • Protecting bluefin tuna, compared to other tuna species, was a top priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The exploitation of ocean tuna has become one of the most important fisheries, in terms of foreign income generation, in Khanh Hoa province. This paper examines the structure, conduct, and performance (SCP) of the tuna value chain within a value chain governance framework to answer the research questions: (a) what is the nature of the tuna value chain in Khanh Hoa province, (b) who are the actors involved in the ocean tuna value chain? (c) What type of market structure is in place and what is its effect on product flow and market performance. Results show that actors operate in an imperfectly competitive market and earn profits from their operation, but the intermediaries receive the most in comparison to their investment expenditure. Processing companies benefit more when they buy directly from the fishermen and they face many difficulties in exporting ocean tuna. Highlights • Tuna is an important exports species in Vietnam. • Governance of fisheries affects the Structure, Conduct and Performance of the value chain. • The structure, conduct and performance may vary among fishers, intermediaries and processors. • Profitability of markets depends on financial and social relationships among the participants. • Policy must be formulated to ensure that tuna fisheries remain sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a two-regime threshold vector autoregressive model, this study investigates the nonlinear price transmission among tuna, salmon and hake during a food safety incident. The tuna fraud in Spain caused a histamine outbreak in 2017, which made 105 people fall ill. To evaluate the degree to which the food safety incident affected price transmission and reflected consumer awareness of the tuna fraud scandal, we have developed a communication index based on the number of Twitter posts and use its first difference to identify the increasing and decreasing regime of the development of the incident. There exists a greater reaction among prices in the increasing regime when communication strengthens on Twitter. Although the impacts of communication are not statistically significant, we find evidence that, in an increasing regime, a change in the communication index Granger causes the price of tuna and hake. The paper concludes with policy implications. • We studied the nonlinear price transmission during the tuna fraud in Spain. • We identified two regimes based a communication index derived from Twitter posts. • There exist more reactions among fish prices in the increasing regime. • A change in the communication index Granger causes the price of tuna and hake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishing is important as it generates employment, income, high-quality food and livelihoods for native communities in many parts of the world. However, when poorly managed, it can cause irreversible overfishing impacts on the ecology of communities. The present study aimed to construct models to estimate the presence probability of young specimens of Thunnus albacares , Thunnus obesus and Xiphias gladius in the Western Equatorial Tropical Atlantic Ocean (WETA) using oceanographic, temporal, and spatial variables. The data used were generated by monitoring the fishing operations of vessels of the pelagic longline fleet in the extreme northeast of Brazil. The Generalized Additive Model was used to estimate the effect of different factors and covariates (oceanographic, temporal, and spatial variables) on the juvenile probability of the presence of the species T. albacares , T. obesus and X. gladius. The capture of juveniles becomes graver in the results obtained annually, for T. albacares ranged between 12.4% and 50.5%, T. obesus ranging from 27.5% to 36.4% and X. gladius from 0% to 13.8% immatures. Models established indicated that water temperature, year, longitude, chlorophyll-a and the interactions between moon phases and latitude, as well as the interactions between quarters and latitude, are statistically significant, influencing the distribution of juveniles of these resources. More efforts and attention should be directed to investigating the distribution of juvenile presence in the WETA, mainly in the southern hemisphere. We want to initiate here a broad discussion and campaign for establishing studies aiming at the constant monitoring of juvenile levels captured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bigeye tuna ( Thunnus obesus, Scombridae) are a globally important commercial fish. About 60% of the world's bigeye is caught in the Pacific Ocean, where stocks have been subject to overfishing and longline fleets are governed by increased conservation measures. One conservation measure entails multilateral bigeye quota reductions. Since 2010, quota reductions have resulted in four extended closures for Hawai`i longliners. Previous research indicated that regulatory closures may result in differential socioeconomic impacts, but little is known about how four extended closures may affect fishers and fishing trips in a diverse longline fleet with 142 active vessels. The purpose of this research is to assess the trip-level impacts of closures on Hawai`i longliners and determine whether impacts could be lessened while sill meeting conservation measures. To do this, economic data and longline logbooks for Hawai`i longliners were analyzed from 2010 to 2015, and 28 longline fishers were interviewed in Fall 2015. Vessels allowed to fish during closures spent nearly two more days at sea not fishing compared to the same month in years without a closure, with no significant difference in trip length. Vessels with special permits are allowed to fish closer to port during closures, while the larger vessels (25% of the fleet) were restricted from retaining bigeye between 32 and 61 days a year, raising equity concerns across the fleet. Our findings also suggest that two levels of collective action may be needed to meet Pacific-wide economic and conservation goals for an economically and ecologically important pelagic common-pool marine resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars and policymakers have debated the correct scales for managing and conserving ocean resources for decades. To address the conservation and management of highly migratory fish species, like tuna, countries have established regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) to regulate transboundary fisheries at the scale of oceanic regions. However, in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean region, countries have expanded their tuna management efforts to encompass multiple and overlapping intergovernmental institutions operating at regional and subregional scales. Scholars have argued that this proliferation of institutions across scales—including the development of the region's RFMO, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)—has strengthened transboundary tuna management. However, while scholars focus on the successes of scalar dynamics in the tropical purse seine fishery, less attention has been devoted to the smaller and less valuable southern longline fishery, where management progress has stalled. Management inaction at multiple scales has impacted the status of the fishery's target stock, South Pacific albacore, and domestic fishing and processing industries in Pacific Island countries and territories. This article employs a scalar politics lens to consider why multi-scalar efforts to improve southern longline fishery management have produced no decisive change in management outcomes. Analysing over a decade of management debate and subregional institutional development, the article argues that the WCPFC has operated as an 'eco-scalar fix' in managing the southern longline fishery. Through a combination of ecological and political factors unique to the fishery, this eco-scalar fix has enabled distant water fishing countries to locate political authority with the WCPFC while shifting the responsibility for management reform onto the subregional efforts of Pacific Island countries. This case complicates and contributes to debates concerning scale in transboundary fisheries management by concluding that the effects of scalar politics on management outcomes are uneven and the product of asymmetrical, interest-driven dynamics among countries seeking to advance their interests in industrial fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private enumeration of landings data and traceability is an emerging phenomena in developing world tuna fisheries. The general goal of these systems is to facilitate compliance with mandatory market requirements such as the European Union’s Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fisheries regulation, as well as support aspirations for voluntary requirements such as the Marine Stewardship Council. The long-term success of these systems appears to be dependent on their ability to complement and extend government data and information systems. Developing and maintaining the credibility of these voluntary private enumeration and traceability systems requires strong market incentives as well as strong state support and assurance. If this credibility can be maintained private fisheries information systems may provide a promising basis for innovative stock assessment and management approaches relevant for complex developing world fisheries such as tuna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFAD) are widely used in purse seine tuna fisheries globally. DFADs are often lost or abandoned by the fishing industry which can lead to marine pollution, entanglement of sensitive species and habitat damage. They are considered as a high-risk lost or abandoned fishing gear due to their common construction with long-lasting synthetic materials, including netting. This study used data collected by fishery observers to investigate materials and designs used in dFAD construction over the last 10 years in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Results indicated that apart from bamboo, which is commonly used in dFAD rafts with other synthetic materials for buoyancy, very few natural materials are used. The depth of dFAD appendages varied, with a median of 50 m. Most dFADs used netting of various mesh sizes in some aspect of their construction. There is limited information to assess the uptake of lower entanglement risk dFAD designs. Transition towards more environmentally friendly dFAD designs is being promoted by management measures imposed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission that include banning of netting by 2024 and encouraging the use of natural materials. Scientific trials are underway to support industry adoption of biodegradable dFAD materials. This paper provides important baseline data to detect and monitor future changes in dFAD construction and materials in response to management measures, and also highlights limitations to data collected by observers that will need to be improved to better monitor these changes. • DFADs in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) are currently constructed from predominately synthetic materials. • Netting remains a dominant material used in dFADs in the WCPO, including the use of larger mesh sizes. • Observer data was valuable to quantify trends in DFAD materials, but reporting of materials/designs pre-deployment is needed. • Transition to non-entangling/biodegradable dFAD designs in the WCPO is just beginning. • This paper provides a baseline to detect and monitor future changes in dFAD construction in the WCPO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) are struggling to take appropriate actions for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlighted the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries, and at the same time, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) recently adopted a legally binding Resolution on climate change. This article briefly analyses the main provisions of the Resolution. It also highlights the importance of this Resolution as an example of the interaction between ocean and climate change legal regimes. This article argues that the Resolution is an initiative in the right direction. The IOTC needs to take proactive steps to implement the Resolution considering the challenges the RFMOs face in climate action generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) are currently made with synthetic and non-biodegradable materials contributing to the increase of marine litter and other potential ecosystem impacts. Tuna RFMOs have promoted the research and progressive replacement of existing FADs by non-entangling biodegradable FADs (bioFADs). Here, we present the results of the first large-scale biodegradable FAD project in the Indian Ocean to develop and implement the use of non-entangling biodegradable dFADs. The bioFAD tested were fully non-entangling without netting minimizing completely the risk of entanglement. Tested bioFADs significantly contribute to the reduction of the synthetic plastic-based materials, increase the use of biodegradable materials and reduce the total material weight used in FADs, reducing their overall ecosystem impacts. The results of testing 771 bioFADs in real fishing conditions, showed that the fishing performance regarding presence/absence of tuna around dFADs, first day of tuna detection, proportion of FADs occupied by tuna, biomass aggregation underneath the FADs and catch per set between bioFADs and conventional dFADs were similar. This provides support for the efficacy of bioFADs regardless of the degradation experienced by the biodegradable materials tested. Although some bioFADs lasted up to one year, the degradation of the biodegradable material was important and some bioFADs lost their original structure after the study period, suggesting the need to find alternative designs for bioFADs that will suffer less structural stress than those bioFADs made of biodegradable material but with conventional design. The lessons learnt in this large-scale trial will contribute to refining the future designs of biodegradable FADs. • First large-scale biodegradable FAD project for tropical tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean. • Tested biodegradable FADs were fully non-entangling dFADs without netting, which minimized completely the risk of entanglement. • Tested biodegradable FADs significantly contribute to the reduction of synthetic plastic-based materials. • Tested biodegradable FADs increase the use of biodegradable materials. • Tested biodegradable FADs reduce the total material weight used, reducing the overall ecosystem effects of FADs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the case of canned tuna, this article shows that EU and US tariff regimes profoundly influence the location of processing activities, thereby shaping the international division of labour. It argues that the impact of trade preferences and tariff liberalization cannot be adequately understood without taking into consideration the particular characteristics and circumstances of individual countries. One-size-fits-all policy prescriptions based on generalized assumptions about the functioning of the world economy cannot provide an adequate development policy framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exotic marine fish products are increasingly appreciated in China. In this study, 100 samples of Cod, Salmon and Tuna products were collected from supermarkets in Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou. First the information reported on the label were assessed in the light of the Chinese legislation, paying particular attention to the fish names and the geographical origin. Then, a comparative analysis of the official trade denominations adopted by five European countries (Italy, France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom) for Cod, Salmon and Tuna was performed. Finally, the Chinese names of the species considered in the EU list were verified consulting the available international lists. Overall, 95% of the samples employed just generic names. In particular, 98% of Salmon and 100% of Tuna products were generically labeled while the labeling of Cod products was more diversified, even though 80% reported misleading or fake denominations. The results of this work highlighted the lack of a mandatory legislation on seafood traceability and of an official naming system. In particular, this study propose the introduction of a detailed Chinese naming system based on the Chinese Latin Dictionary for Seafood Names, following the EU approach. In fact, inaccurate labeling can have both economic and health implications for consumers as well as it may distort the true abundance of fish stocks. These drawbacks can be particularly serious considering the pivotal role of China in the global fishery industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving sustainable fisheries and certifications can be challenging for developing countries, affecting the achievement of global seafood sustainability and food security. Indonesia is one of the world's leading producers of tuna products but struggles to achieve certification. Small-scale tuna fisheries are an important component of the Indonesian fisheries sector, especially with regard to employment and income. The Marine Stewardship Council is the most recognised fisheries certification scheme worldwide but is criticised for being inaccessible to small-scale fisheries. Fair Trade has traditionally focussed on land-based products, but recently developed a standard for capture fisheries. Traceability systems are important components of many fisheries certifications and are essential in ensuring product quality and food provenance. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Indonesian small-scale tuna fisheries achieving certification and implementing traceability. The outlook for certification of such fisheries is promising, given recent global and national developments but requires increasing commitment to communicate the importance and value of such schemes in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suite of species taken by artisanal fishers targeting tuna often includes species caught in the larger industrial tuna fisheries, leading to concerns that industrial fisheries may reduce local fish availability and consequently impact upon artisanal catch rates. This study provides supporting evidence that industrial purse-seine fisheries may impact upon artisanal and subsistence fishers. A tagged population of skipjack and yellowfin tuna of known size was monitored through time and the probability of recapture was used as a measure of interaction with the industrial purse-seine fisheries. The probability of recapture was positively associated with areas where relative purse-seine fishing effort was higher. The results indicate that skipjack and yellowfin tuna may have longer residency times in nearshore habitats than in open ocean habitats. Lower recapture probabilities in areas currently closed to purse-seine fishing provided empirical evidence that area closures for industrial fisheries may assist with the management of artisanal fisheries. Finally the results suggest that the proximity to industrial purse-seine fishing may also be an important component for decision makers when planning and evaluating the performance of artisanal fisheries in the western Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental sets were conducted on a Taiwanese deep set longline fishing vessel operating in the tropical Atlantic Ocean to evaluate the effects of relatively wide circle hooks vs. Japanese tuna hooks with respect to catch rates of both target and incidental species. On circle hooks there were significantly higher catch rates of bigeye tuna ( Thunnus obesus ), yellowfin tuna ( T. albacares ), swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) and blue sharks ( Prionace glauca ) as compared to tuna hooks. Significantly higher rates of albacore ( T. alalunga ) and longbill spearfish ( Tetrapterus pfluegeri ) were caught on Japanese tuna hooks as compared to circle hooks. Overall, 55 sea turtles were incidentally captured, most ( n =47) of which were leatherback turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea), and capture rates were similar between hook type. Immediate survival rates (percentage alive) when landed were statistically similar for all major target fish species and sea turtles independent of hook type. Most (64%) sea turtles were hooked on the first and second branchlines closest to the float, which are the shallowest hooks deployed on a longline. Lengths of six retained species were compared between hook types. Of these, swordfish was the only species to show a significant difference in length by hook type, which were significantly larger on circle hooks compared to tuna hooks. Additional incentives to use circle hooks would be the increased catch rate in targeted bigeye tuna over traditional Japanese tuna hooks. This international collaboration was initiated in direct response to regional fisheries management organization recommendations that encourage member countries to conduct experiments aimed to identify means to reduce bycatch in longline fishing gear. Information presented may be useful for managers in developing international fisheries policies that aim to balance increases in commercial fishery revenue and endangered species protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuna management in the Western and Central Pacific is complicated by the conflicting interests of countries and agents exploiting tuna resources in the region. Historically, regulatory attempts by Pacific Island Countries to control fishing effort within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) have met with limited success. The introduction of new economic policy instruments by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), such as the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, has supported and complemented existing conservation and management measures. By bringing in new incentives for the PNA states, greater control over fishing effort and the formulation of perceptibly new sustainable fishing practices have emerged. Using a new institutional economic framework, this paper analyses the shift from regulatory policy to new economic policy instruments through the lens of New Institutional Economics. The results show how the adoption of the VDS and MSC certification program has brought new changes and improvements to tuna negotiations, to agreements, and to outcomes amongst parties. Investing in these new instruments has elucidated ways in which new economic institutions strengthen de jure political control over transboundary fish resources and fishing fleets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the most important development goals for the countries and territories of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) involve the sustainable management of their fisheries in light of environmental, economic and social uncertainties. The responses of fish populations to variability in the marine environment have implications for decision making processes associated with resource management. There is still considerable uncertainty in estimating the responses of tuna populations to short-to-medium-term variability and longer-term change in the oceanic environment. A workshop was organised to examine how advances in oceanography, fisheries science and fisheries economics could be applied to the tuna fisheries of the WCPO and in doing so identify research priorities to improve understanding relevant to progressing management. Research priorities identified included: (i) improved parameterisation of end to end ecosystem model components, processes and feedbacks through expanded biological observations and incorporation of higher resolution climate models; (ii) development of seasonal and inter-annual forecasting tools enabling management responses to short-term variability in tuna distributions and abundances; (iii) improved understanding of the population dynamics of and the energy transfer efficiencies between food web components; (iv) assessment of the optimal value of access rights and overall fishery value under multiple scenarios of tuna distribution and abundance and influences on decision making by fisheries managers and fleets and (v) development of management strategy evaluation frameworks for utilisation in the implementing and testing of fishery management procedures and to help prioritise research directions and investment. Issues discussed and research priorities identified during the workshop have synergies with other internationally managed fisheries and therefore are applicable to many other fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognised that anchored, nearshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) are one of the few practical ‘vehicles’ for increasing access to tuna to help feed the rapidly growing rural and urban populations in many Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). However, considerable planning, monitoring and research is still needed to understand and fulfil the potential of nearshore FADs. Investments are required to (1) identify the locations where FADs are likely to make the greatest contributions to the food security of rural (coastal) communities, and yield good catches near urban centres; (2) integrate the use of FADs with other livelihood options available to rural communities and remove any blockages preventing such communities from harnessing the full range of benefits from FADs; (3) assess whether exclusion zones for industrial fishing provide adequate access to tuna for small-scale-fishers; (4) determine if small-scale fishers are able to catch sufficient tuna to meet the protein needs of rural communities; (5) evaluate whether FADs add value to coral reef management initiatives; and (6) improve the design and placement of nearshore FADs. This paper describes these investments and outlines other steps that governments and their development partners need to take to establish and maintain nearshore FADs as part of national infrastructure for food security of PICTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large tuna resources of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean are delivering great economic benefits to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) through sale of licences to distant water fishing nations and employment in fish processing. However, tuna needs to contribute to Pacific Island societies in another important way—by increasing local access to the fish required for good nutrition to help combat the world’s highest levels of diabetes and obesity. Analyses reported here demonstrate that coastal fisheries in 16 of the 22 PICTs will not provide the fish recommended for good nutrition of growing Pacific Island populations, and that by 2020 tuna will need to supply 12% of the fish required by PICTs for food security, increasing to 25% by 2035. In relative terms, the percentages of the region’s tuna catch that will be needed in 2020 and 2035 to fill the gap in domestic fish supply are small, i.e., 2.1% and 5.9% of the average present-day industrial catch, respectively. Interventions based on expanding the use of nearshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) to assist small-scale fishers catch tuna, distributing small tuna and bycatch offloaded by industrial fleets at regional ports, and improving access to canned tuna for inland populations, promise to increase access to fish for sustaining the health of the region’s growing populations. The actions, research and policies required to implement these interventions effectively, and the investments needed to maintain the stocks underpinning the considerable socio-economic benefits that flow from tuna, are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The recent overexploitation of East Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stock has been well documented in the media where it has become the archetype of overfishing and general mis-management. Beyond the public debate, the crisis also highlighted how the interactions between science and management can change through time according to the awareness of the public opinion. To reflect these issues, the history of Atlantic bluefin tuna overfishing is first described. Then, the major uncertainties that undermine the current scientific advice are summarized and the importance of reducing their impacts by improving knowledge and developing robust scientific framework is considered. The study also discusses how uncertainty was used by different lobbies to discredit science-based management. The recent improvement in bluefin tuna stock status following the implementation of the rebuilding plan shows that, despite uncertainty in the scientific advice, the management of a heavily exploited fish stock can be positive when there is a political will. However, optimizing long-term yields of modern fisheries implies good science. The study concludes by advocating for the implementation of a scientific quota that should be part of the management framework to support the scientific advice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several tuna regional fisheries management organizations (t-RFMOs) have adopted retention requirements for skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tunas caught by purse seine vessels to reduce discards, create disincentives to catch small fish, and incentivize the development and adoption of more selective technologies. Although retention policies in the t-RFMOs have been limited to target tunas in purse seine fisheries, some have advocated for an expansion of those policies, and t-RFMOs could consider expanding retention policies to a greater number of species and/or to other gear types. This paper discusses the benefits and costs of broader retention policies for purse seine and longline tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Using bycatch data from observers and logbooks from the U.S. purse seine and longline fleets operating in the WCPO, this paper documents the types and magnitude of fish discarded. For the purse seine fishery, this information was used to estimate direct impacts of having to off-load at the initial point of landing in key Pacific Island ports. For the longline fishery, estimates of direct impacts were limited to Honolulu and Pago Pago, American Samoa, the two primary ports where U.S. catch is landed. Expanding retention policies beyond the target tunas and to other gear types would further reduce discarding and possibly provide stronger incentives to develop and use more selective techniques. Beyond impacts to the ecosystem and fisher behavior, adopting broader retention policies may have other implications, and this paper explores those implications on vessels, processors, and communities. In general, as is the case with most direct interventions on fishing operations, there will be both benefits and costs, and the magnitude of those impacts will depend on the scope and extent of any expanded retention policy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities are widely considered a main cause of unsustainable fisheries across the globe. The EU has taken a leading role in the fight against IUU fishing, using both its market and normative power to advance its EU IUU Regulation (no. 1005/2008) and wider fisheries sustainability agenda outside its territory. This paper examines how successful the EU has been in using its market and normative power to influence regulatory strategies and frameworks governing tuna fisheries in the Pacific Islands region of the Western Pacific Ocean. The results indicate that while the market power of the EU remains an influential factor, the diminishing normative power of the EU in WCPO is weakening any attempts to implement its IUU fishing regulation and Pacific Island nations have promoted their own regulatory agenda. We conclude that the changing asymmetries between market and normative power has led to a differentiated geography of regulatory uptake, and while market power will remain a dominant strategy for the EU, normative power, when exercised should focus on cooperation rather than ‘teaching’ the benefits of an EU regulatory approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reduction of by-catch mortality is an objective of the ecosystem approach to fisheries and a request made by consumers. Elasmobranchs, an important component of the French tropical tuna purse seine fishery by-catch, are currently thrown back into the sea. Fishers interact with various types of elasmobranchs that range widely in size, weight and shape, and could pose various degrees of danger to the crew. A diversity of discarding practices within the fleet were reported, some practices were considered suitable, others needed to be adapted and improved and others simply had to be banned. The majority of the crews were likely to improve their handling practices if they were presented with practical suggestions that were quick and easy. Combining scientific observations and empirical knowledge from skippers and crew, a manual, providing appropriate handling practices to ensure crew safety and increase the odds of survival for released animals has been developed and disseminated. Bringing these good practices onto the decks of fishing vessels should contribute to the reduction of the fishing mortality of some vulnerable species. It would be positively viewed by consumers as an act that reduces fishing's footprint on the environment and promoting animal welfare which would improve the image of fishing industry. Mitigation research is by definition an iterative process and different complementary methods must be carried out at different levels of the fishing process to significantly reduce the mortality of the by-catch. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]