albacore tuna (thunnus alalunga - the california ocean...

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1 Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) Certification Units Covered Under this Species: Pole and Line Troll and Jig Summary Albacore tuna is a highly migratory species (HMS) distributed throughout the world’s oceans. In the North Pacific, the stock is jointly managed by two international organizations: the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for waters east of 150˚ W longitude, and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) for waters west of 150˚ W longitude. Along the U.S. West Coast, albacore tuna are managed under the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. In the U.S., albacore are fished commercially primarily using pole and line and troll and jig. The north Pacific albacore stock is considered to be healthy at current levels of recruitment and fishing mortality. Strengths: Stock is considered healthy Harvest strategy is responsive to the state of the stock and regular stock assessments are conducted Bycatch is low Weaknesses: No biomass-based reference points No ongoing observer coverage of commercial fishing vessels NOTE: This fishery has already been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. This assessment is a summary of the existing full MSC assessment by Global Trust Certification, Ltd (GTCL). Unless otherwise noted, all text, figures and tables in this Rapid Assessment are from GTCL 2010: Global Trust Certification Ltd. (GTCL) 2010. MSC Fishery Assessment Report: Public Certification Report. The Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation (CHMSF) British Columbia North Pacific Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) Tuna Fishery and the American Western Fishboat Owners Association (WFOA) North Pacific Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) Tuna Fisheries. Global Trust Certification Ltd., Riverlane, Dundalk Ireland.

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Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga)

Certification Units Covered Under this Species:

• PoleandLine

• TrollandJig

Summary

Albacoretunaisahighlymigratoryspecies(HMS)distributedthroughouttheworld’soceans.IntheNorthPacific,thestockisjointlymanagedbytwointernationalorganizations:theInter-AmericanTropicalTunaCommission(IATTC)forwaterseastof150˚Wlongitude,andtheWesternandCentralPacificFisheriesCommission(WCPFC)forwaterswestof150˚Wlongitude.AlongtheU.S.WestCoast,albacoretunaaremanagedunderthePacificFisheryManagementCouncil’sHighlyMigratorySpeciesFisheryManagementPlan.IntheU.S.,albacorearefishedcommerciallyprimarilyusingpoleandlineandtrollandjig.ThenorthPacificalbacorestockisconsideredtobehealthyatcurrentlevelsofrecruitmentandfishingmortality.

Strengths:

• Stockisconsideredhealthy

• Harveststrategyisresponsivetothestateofthestockandregularstockassessments areconducted

• Bycatchislow

Weaknesses:

• Nobiomass-basedreferencepoints

• Noongoingobservercoverageofcommercialfishingvessels

NOTE:

ThisfisheryhasalreadybeencertifiedbytheMarineStewardshipCouncil.ThisassessmentisasummaryoftheexistingfullMSCassessmentbyGlobalTrustCertification,Ltd(GTCL).

Unlessotherwisenoted,alltext,figuresandtablesinthisRapidAssessmentarefromGTCL2010:

GlobalTrustCertificationLtd.(GTCL)2010.MSCFisheryAssessmentReport:PublicCertificationReport.TheCanadianHighlyMigratorySpeciesFoundation(CHMSF)BritishColumbiaNorthPacificAlbacore(Thunnus alalunga)TunaFisheryandtheAmericanWesternFishboatOwnersAssociation(WFOA)NorthPacificAlbacore(Thunnusalalunga)TunaFisheries.GlobalTrustCertificationLtd.,Riverlane,DundalkIreland.

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History of the Fishery in California

Biology of the Species

[FromGTCL2010]:Albacoretuna(Thunnus alalunga)isahighlymigratorytunafoundinalloftheglobaloceansandMediterraneanSea.InthePacificOceantherearetwoseparateanddistinctstocksofalbacore,oneintheNorthPacificandtheotherintheSouthPacific.Albacoretunamatureatapproximately5yearsoratabout85cmandhasalifespanofabout10to12years.Growthratesaremoderate,withforklengthsat1yearofageofnearly40cm.Fecundityisestimatedtobe0.8to2.6millioneggsperspawning.NorthPacificalbacorespawnfromMarchthroughJulyongroundslocatedintheWesternandCentralPacificOceaninsubtropicalwatersbetweenabout10˚to25˚Nlatitudes(Figure1).

Ingeneral,thebulkofthejuvenilealbacorerecruitingintotheNorthPacificfisheriesfirstentertheJapanesewesternPacificfisheriesoffJapanandthenmoveeastward.Recoveryoftaggedjuveniles(ages1to5)indicatesthatfishtaggedoffJapanappearintheNorthAmericanfishery;movementisalongtheNorthPacificTransitionZone.AlbacoretaggedoffNorthAmericaseemtomoveacrossthePacificduringthefallandappearinJapaninthelate-winter/springfisheries.ThesefishthenappeartomigratebacktoNorthAmerica.Therearefewtagreturnsofmaturefish.Basedoncatchpatternsitwouldseemthatadultsmovetolowerlatitudes.Inadditiontothisgeneralpatternofmovementtheremaybevariationsassociatedwithrecruitment.ItappearsthatasmallportionofthepopulationmayspawnfurthereastthanthebulkofthepopulationandfirstenterthefisheryoffNorthAmerica.

Figure 1.DistributionandspawningareaofalbacoretunaintheNorthPacificOcean(fromISC2013).

Albacore,likeothertunas,haveanumberofphysiologicalandmorphologicalspecializationsthatadaptthemtoafast,continuousswimminglifestyleinthepelagicopenoceanenvironment.Themostnotableofthisisa“countercurrentmultipliersystem”(heatexchanger)whichallowsthemtoregulatetheirbodytemperatures.Thealbacoretunabodytemperaturemaybeas

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muchas15˚aboveambienttemperature.Theirmetabolicratesare2to10timeshigherthanmostotherbonyfishes,andtheyhaveverylargeeyesfordetectingpreyandspecializedfinsandbodyformtoreducedrag.Albacoreareopportunisticcarnivoresandasadultshavefewpredators,althoughtheymaybepreyedonbylargemarinemammals,sharks,andbillfish.

Commercial Fishery

[FromGTCL2010]:TheU.S.surfacetrollfisheryforalbacorehasbeenoperatingsincetheearly1900’sintheNorthPacific.FishermencommencedtargetingseasonallymigratingalbacoreinnearshoreoceanwatersoffsouthernCaliforniatomeettheneedsofatunacanneryestablishedthere.Thetrollfisherygraduallyspreadnorthwards,butwasrestrictedtowatersoffCaliforniauntilthelate1930’s,whenitextendedtowatersoffthestatesofOregonandWashington,andeventuallytowatersoffBritishColumbia,Canada.Untilthelate1970’s,thetrollfisherybeganoperationsinearlyJuly,whenmigratingalbacoreapproachthewestcoastofNorthAmerica,andwasprimarilyconductedinnearshoreoceanicwaters.From1961through1979,approximately99%ofthereportedU.S.catchesofNorthPacificalbacoreweremadewithin200milesoftheNorthAmericancoast,with84%offtheU.S.coastand9%and7%inthejurisdictionalwatersofMexicoandCanada,respectively.Sincethelate1970’s,U.S.albacorefisherswithlargervesselsbegintrollfishingintheearlyspringmonthsonthehighseas.SomeofthesevesselsoperateasfarwestastheInternationalDatelineandbeyond,toextendthefishingseasonbyinterceptingalbacoremigratingtowardsthecoastofNorthAmericaandlocatinghighcatchrateareas.TheextentofthealbacoremigrationisvariableandasignificantcharacteristicoftheU.S.surfacefisheryisthewidenorth-southvariationinthegeographicallocationsofthemostproductivefishinggrounds.Uniquely,alargeproportionofthisvariabilityisatthemulti-decaderatherthantheinter-yeartimescale.

Theestimatednumberofvesselslandingalbacorepeakedatmorethan2,000inthemid-1970’s.However,fewervesselshavebeenactiveinrecentyears.DuringthepastfiveyearsthenumberofU.S.trollvesselsthatlandedalbacorerangedfrom652to870,withvesselssmallerthanabout17moutnumberinglargervesselsbyapproximatelytwotoone.

ThehistoryoftheU.S.pole-and-linefisheryforalbacoredifferssomewhatfromthatofthetrollfishery,andislinkedtotheU.S.tropicaltunafisheryforyellowfin,bigeye,andskipjacktunas.Thepole-and-linemethodofcatchingalbacorealsobeganintheearly1900’swithvesselsoperatingwithinaone-dayrunfromporttoprovideproductforatunacannerylocatedinsouthernCalifornia.Apoorcatchofalbacorein1918forcedpole-and-lineboatstoshifttofishingfortropicalyellowfinandskipjacktofillthecannery’sdemandfortuna.Insubsequentyearseventhoughtheavailabilityofalbacoremayhavebeenhigh,theamountofpole-and-lineeffortexpendedforalbacorewasthereaftergreatlyinfluencedbyeventsinthetropicaltunafishery.Todaythereare,fewerthanabout200U.S.vesselsusingthisfishingmethodforcatchingNorthPacificalbacore.

Recreational Fishery

NorthPacificalbacoreareapopularrecreationalspecies.Recreationalchartervesselsarerequiredtomaintainlogbookstodocumenttheircatch.FromPointConceptiontotheMexicanborder,thereisalimitof10fishperday,andfromPointConceptionnorthtotheOregonborderthereisalimitof25fishperday(CDFG2012).In2010,theestimatednumberofalbacoreretainedbyrecreationalfishermenwas15,301andin2011itwas4,416(PFMC2012).

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MSC Principle 1: Resource Sustainability

*Sustainability of Target Stock

[FromISC2011]:ThemostrecentstockassessmentwascompletedinJune2011.ThenorthPacificalbacorestockisconsideredtobehealthyatcurrentlevelsofrecruitmentandfishingmortality.Currentestimatedmortality,F2006-2008,iswellbelowthefishingmortalitythatwouldleadthespawningstockbiomass(SSB)tofallbelowathresholdestablishedoftheaverageofthetenhistoricallylowestestimatedSSBs(SSB-ATHL)inatleastoneyearofa25-yr(2010-2035)projectionperiod.Thestockisexpectedtofluctuatearoundthelong-termmedianSSB(~405,000t;Figure1)intheforeseeablefuturegivenaveragehistoricalrecruitmentlevelsandconstantfishingmortalityatF2006-2008(Figure2).Basedonthesefindings,theWorkingGroupconcludesthatoverfishingisnotoccurringandthatthestocklikelyisnotinanoverfishedcondition,althoughbiomass-basedreferencepointshavenotbeenestablishedforthisstock.However,recruitmentisakeydriverofthedynamicsinthisstockandamorepessimisticrecruitmentscenarioincreasestheprobabilitythatthestockwillnotachievethemanagementobjectiveofremainingabovetheSSB-ATHLthresholdwithaprobabilityof50%.Thus,iffuturerecruitmentdeclinesabout25%belowaveragehistoricalrecruitmentlevels(Figure3)dueeithertoenvironmentalchangesorotherreasons,thentheimpactofF2006-2008onthestockisunlikelytobesustainable.Therefore,theworkinggrouprecommendsmaintainingpresentmanagementmeasures.

[FromGTCD2010]1:Itishighlylikelythatthestockisabovethepointwhererecruitmentwouldbeimpaired.Evidenceofthiscanbesummarizedasfollows:

• CurrentlevelofSpawningStockBiomass(SSB)andinformationontemporaltrendsin spawningbiomasslevelsandsubsequentrecruitment

• Temporaltrendsinrecruitmentoverthelasttwodecades

• RecentF(F2002-2004=0.75)correspondtoalevelatwhichgoodrecruitmenthasbeen observed(ISC,2007)

Implicitly,referencepointsareappropriatelydefined.Referencepointswerescoredbasedonthefollowingissues:

• Theappropriatenessofthereferencepointsisunknown

• Thelimitreferencepointissetabovethelevelatwhichthereisanappreciableriskof impairingreproductivecapacity

• Thetargetreferencepointissuchthatthestockismaintainedatalevelconsistentwith BMSYorsomemeasureorsurrogatewithsimilarintentoroutcome

*ForCalifornia’sSustainableSeafoodProgram,thiscategorymustscorean80orhigherduringanMSCassessment.1TheMSCFullassessmentbyGTCL2010wasconductedbeforethelatestJune2011stockassessmentwascompleted,thusjustificationsforscoringuseolddata.

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Figure 2.EstimatedspawningbiomassofalbacoretunaintheNorthPacificOcean.Theopencirclesrepresentthemaximumlikelihoodestimatesofeachquantityandthedashedlinesarethe95%asymptoticintervalsoftheestimates(±2standarddeviations)inlognormalspace(fromISC2011).

Figure 3. Estimatedage-0recruitmentofalbacoretunaintheNorthPacificOcean.Theopencirclesrepresentthemaximumlikelihoodestimatesofeachquantityandthedashedlinesarethe95%asymptoticintervalsoftheestimates(±2standarddeviations)(fromISC2011).

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Harvest Strategy (Management)

[FromGTCL2010]:TheinternationalmanagementoftheNorthPacificalbacorestockissharedbytwointernationalorganizations:theInter-AmericanTropicalTunaCommission(IATTC)forwaterseastof150˚Wlongitude,andtheWesternandCentralPacificFisheriesCommission(WCPFC)forwaterswestof150˚Wlongitude.TheIATTCandWCPFChavelegalauthoritywithintheiradministrativeboundaries.Domestically,fortheUStroll&jigandpole&linealbacorefisheriesmanagementisthroughtheHighlyMigratorySpeciesFisheryManagementPlan(HMSFMP)ofthePacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).TheISCforTunaandTuna-likeSpeciesintheNorthPacificOceanconductstockassessmentsaswellasenhancescientificresearchandcooperationfortheconservationandrationalutilizationoftunaandtuna-likespeciesoftheNorthPacificOcean.NorthPacificmanagementmeasuresadoptedbytheIATTCandtheWCPFCarepassedtotherespectivemembercountriesthatconductfishingoperationsonPacificalbacoreforimplementation.

Internationally,theharveststrategyhasbeendefinedbytheAntiguaConventionoftheIATTC,andtheConventionontheConservationandManagementofHighlyMigratoryFishStocksoftheWesternandCentralPacific(WCPFC).Theobjectiveoftheseconventionsistoensurethelong-termconservationandsustainableuseofthefishstockscoveredbytheseconventions,inaccordancewiththerelevantrulesofinternationallaw.Inordertoachievetheoverallobjectivetheconventiontextsdefinetheharveststrategyframework,whichmustbeimplementedthroughthePacificRegionIntegratedTunaFisheriesManagementPlan(IFMP)andtheFisheriesManagementPlanforU.SWestCoastFisheriesforHighlyMigratorySpecies(HMSFMP)inCanadaandtheUnitedStates,respectively.

TheHarvestStrategyFrameworkisbasedontheprecautionaryapproach.ThelegalframeworkfortheprecautionaryapproachisembodiedinanumberofinternationalagreementsofwhichtheUSAisasignatory:

• UNConventionoftheLawoftheSea(1982)

• RioDeclarationonEnvironmentandDevelopment(1992)

• FAOCodeofConductforResponsibleFisheries(1995)

• UNFishStocksAgreementUNFA(1995)

• USandCanadaAlbacoretreaty

Evidencegivenbystockeffortmonitoringprograms,andstockassessmentoutputs,indicatesthattoolsinusetolimitfishingeffortareeffectiveinachievingexploitationlevelsrequired(F=

Performance  Indicator   Rating   Justification  

1.1.1  Stock  Status     80;  It  is  highly  likely  that  the  stock  is  above  the  point  where  recruitment  would  be  impaired  

1.1.2  Reference  Points     75;  Reference  points  are  implicit  

1.1.3  Stock  rebuilding       Not  triggered;  stock  is  considered  healthy  

 

Scores for MSC Component 1.1: Sustainability of Target Stock (from GTCL 2010)

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MSC Principle 2: Environment

Retained Species

Troll and Jig

[FromGTCL2010]:TheUSFMPrequiresallcommercialvesselstomaintainandsubmitlogbookstoNMFS(USHMSFMP).Albacoretrollvesselscatchminoramountsofothernontargetedpelagicfishspeciesthatareusuallycaughtduringtransittoorfromthefishinggroundsandmayberetained.Themostcommonspeciesthatareincidentallycaughtincludeskipjacktuna(Katsuwonus pelamis),mahimahi(Coryphaena hippurus),yellowtail(Seriola lalandi),EasternPacificbonito(Sarda chiliensis),bigeyetuna(Thunnus obesus),andbluefintuna(Thunnus thynnus)(ChildersandBetcher,2008–NOAASouthwestFisheriesScienceCenter)andincidentalcatchesofthesespeciesaretypicallyverylow(ISC2009/Annex6).No‘main’retainedspecieswhicharecaughtduringfishingoperationsareknowntooccurinthefishery.Trollingvesselsareknowntousefrozenanchoviesonoccasiontoattractalbacoretotheartificialjigs/fishinglures.Noquantitativedataareavailableontheamountofanchoviesusedinthismannerbutthequantitiesareconsideredtobesmallandinsignificantintermsofimpactontheanchovystock.No‘main’retainedspeciesthereforeoccurandthefisheryscores100forcomponentRetainedspecies(Point7.2.3intheMSCguidancedocument).

0.75)bymanagement.

Scores for MSC Component 1.2: Harvest Strategy (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

1.2.1  Harvest  Strategy     95;  Harvest  strategy  is  responsive  to  the  state  of  the  stock    and  is  working  in  achieving  its  objectives  

1.2.2  Harvest  Control  Rules  and  Tools  

  80;  Well  defined  harvest  control  rules  that  take  into  account  uncertainties,  tools  used  are  effective  

1.2.3  Information/Monitoring     100;  All  information  required  by  the  harvest  control  rule  is  monitored  with  high  frequency  and  a  high  degree  of  certainty,  and  there  is  a  good  understanding  of  the  inherent  uncertainties  in  the  information  and  the  robustness  of  assessment  and  management  to  this  uncertainty    

1.2.4  Assessment  of  Stock  Status     100;  The  assessment  is  appropriate  for  the  stock  and  for  the  harvest  control  rule  and  takes  into  account  the  major  features  relevant  to  the  biology  of  the  species  and  the  nature  of  the  fishery  

 

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Pole and Line

[FromGTCL2010]:Albacorepole&linefisheriesareacknowledgedtohaveverylowlevelsofbycatchspecieswithadocumentedaveragediscardrateof0.1%inglobalpole&linefisheriesfortunaandotherhighlymigratoryspecies(FAO2005).DataonretainedspeciescaughtduringfishingoperationsarecollectedbyUSmandatorylogbook,andonboardobserverscollectedbycatchdatafromUSpole&linevesselsbetween2004–2006whichverifiedtheoccurrenceofinsignificantlevels(lessthan1%)ofoverallbycatch(retainedand/ordiscardednontargetspecies)inthePacificalbacorefishery(NMFS2007).Thequantitiesofnontargetspecieswhichareretainedonboardcanbeconsideredasminorgiventhelowoverallobservedbycatchrate(retainedand/ordiscardednontargetspecies)andnomainretainedspecies,caughtduringfishingoperations,occurinthefishery.

Liveanchoviesare,however,retainedonboardasbaitinthepoleandlinefisheryandcanbeconsideredasa‘main’retainedspecies.NorthernanchovyisamonitoredspeciesundertheUSCoastalPelagicSpecies(CPS)FisheriesManagementPlan(FMP).MostoftheUSlandingscomefromCalifornia(PFMC2008).TherecommendeddefaultMaximumSustainableYield(MSY)controlrulegivesanAllowableBiologicalCatch(ABC)fortheentireNorthernAnchovy-northernsubpopulationof25%oftheMSYcatchbutMSYhasnotbeenestimatedinrecentyearsasastockassessmenthasnotbeendeemedrequiredunderthemonitoringprogram(PFMC2009).Thestockisconsideredtobesustainablewithminimalimpactfromharvestforthelivebaitfishery(pers.Comm.MikeBurner,StaffOfficerPacificFisheriesManagementCouncil(PFMC)).Quantitativeevidenceisnotavailablewhichdemonstratethatthestockiswithinbiologicallimits.Strongjustificationexists,however,intermsofextensivemonitoringoflandings,larvalabundance,environmentalvariables(pers.Comm.MikeBurner,PFMC)andtheexistenceofanextensiveframeworkon‘PointofConcern’whichtriggersfullstockassessmentifrequired(PFMC2009),ofverylowriskofseriousorirreversibleharmtothestock.

ThereisastrategyinplaceformanagingNorthernanchovyundertheCoastalPelagicSpeciesFisheryManagementPlan;theannualSAFEreportincludesallavailableinformationthatmaybeusedtodetermineifapoint-of-concernexistse.g.overfishingorifastockshouldbeconsideredforActivemanagement.ActivemanagementisnotcurrentlyrequiredfortheNorthernAnchovystock.The

CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife(CDFW)operatesaLiveBaitLogforlivebaitfishersandanextensivetimeseriesextendingbackover40yearsonanchovylandingsisusedinmonitoringthefishery(PFMC2008).Thereforethestrategyisbasedoninformationdirectly

Scores for MSC Component 2.1: Retained Catch, troll and jig (from GTCL 2010)

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.1.1  Outcome     100;  No  ‘main’  retained  species  

2.1.2  Management     100;  No  ‘main’  retained  species,  thus  this  category  is  not  applicable.    

2.1.3  Information     100;  No  ‘main’  retained  species  occur,  thus  this  category  is  not  applicable  

 

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aboutthefisheryand‘testing’underevaluationbythePacificFisheryManagementCouncilsupports‘highconfidence’thatthestrategywillwork.Monitoredfisheriesdataprovide‘clearevidence’thatthestrategyisbeing‘implementedsuccessfully’andthereissomeevidencefromhistoricalfisheriesdatathatthestrategyis‘achievingitsoverallobjective’whichissustainabilityofthestock.

Scores for MSC Component 2.1: Retained Catch, pole and line (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.1.1  Outcome     90;  Low  levels  of  retained  species  

2.1.2  Management     100;  Main  retained  species  is  managed  under  the  CPS  FMP  

2.1.3  Information     100;  Accurate  and  verifiable  information  is  available  on  the  catch  of  all  retained  species  and  the  consequences  for  the  status  of  affected  populations.  

 Bycatch Species

Troll and Jig

[FromGTCL2010]:TheUSFMPrequiresallcommercialvesselstomaintainandsubmitlogbookstoNMFS.Albacoretrollvesselscatchminoramountsofotherpelagicfishspeciesthatareusuallycaughtduringtransittoorfromthefishinggrounds.Themostcommonspeciesthatareincidentallycaughtincludeskipjacktuna(Katsuwonus pelamis),mahimahi(Coryphaena hippurus),yellowtail(Seriola lalandi),EasternPacificbonito(Sarda chiliensis),bigeyetuna(Thunnus obesus),andbluefintuna(Thunnus thynnus)(ChildersandBetcher2010)andincidentalcatchesofthesespeciesaretypicallyverylow(ISC,2009/Annex6).Fishermengenerallyusebarblesshooksasthismethodspeedsupfishingoperationsandfisharelandedindividuallysobycatchfishmaybereturnedalive.NMFScontractedobserverscollectedbycatchdatafromUStrollvesselsbetween2004–2006whichverifiedtheoccurrenceofinsignificantlevelsofbycatchinthePacificalbacorefishery(NMFS2007).No‘main’bycatchspeciesareknowntooccur,bycatchisexceptionallyrareandnegligibleinitsimpactandthefishery,therefore,meetsSG100.

Scores for MSC Component 2.2: Bycatch, troll and jig (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.2.1  Outcome     100;  No  ‘main’  bycatch  species  

2.2.2  Management     100;  No  ‘main’  bycatch  species,  thus  this  category  is  not  applicable.    

2.2.3  Information     90;  There  is  no  ongoing  observer  coverage    

 

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Pole and Line

[FromGTCL2010]:Albacorepole&linefisheriesareacknowledgedtohaveverylowlevelsofbycatchspecieswithadocumentedaveragediscardrateof0.1%inglobalpole&linefisheriesfortunaandotherhighlymigratoryspecies(FAO2005).DataonbycatcharecollectedbyUSmandatorylogbookandonboardobserverscollectedbycatchdatafromUSpoleandlinevesselsbetween2004–2006whichverifiedtheoccurrenceofinsignificantlevelsofbycatchinthePacificalbacorefishery(NMFS2007).No‘main’bycatchspeciesareknowntooccur,bycatchisexceptionallyrareandnegligibleinitsimpactandthefishery,therefore,meetsSG100.

Scores for MSC Component 2.2: Bycatch, pole and line (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.2.1  Outcome     100;  No  ‘main’  bycatch  species  

2.2.2  Management     100;  No  ‘main’  bycatch  species,  thus  this  category  is  not  applicable.    

2.2.3  Information     90;  There  is  no  ongoing  observer  coverage  

 Endangered, Threatened, & Protected Species

Troll and Jig

[FromGTCL2010]:TheUSissubjecttointernationalrequirementsontheprotectionofETPspeciesundertheCITES/WashingtonConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFloraandnationallegislationsuchastheEndangeredSpeciesAct,theMarineMammalProtectionAct,andtheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(NMFS2009).MandatorylogbookdataprovidedbyUSfishermenincludesprovisionofdataonanyETPspeciesandnonewerereportedin2007(ChildersandBetcher2010).USindependentobserverdatafromthesamefisherydonotshowcatchofanyETPspecies(NMFS2007).Allfisharelandedindividuallyonbarblesshooks(http://wfoa-tuna.org/boats/)soifanincidentalcatcheventofanETPspeciesoccurstheanimalmaybereturnedalive.NocatchofETPswasreportedinindependentobserverreports.ThissuggeststhereisahighdegreeofcertaintythattheeffectsofthefisheryarewithinlimitsofnationalandinternationalrequirementsforprotectionofETPspecies.Thereisahighdegreeofconfidencethattherearenosignificantdetrimentaleffects(directandindirect)ofthefisheryonETPspecies.ThefisherymeetsallissuesofSG100andscores100(PI2.3.1).

TheHMSFMPfinalruleadoptsmeasurestominimizeinteractionsofHMSgearswithprotectedspeciesandtoensurethatthefisheriesareoperatingconsistentwithfederallaw.Thesemeasuresincludetimeandareaclosures,gearrequirements,andsafehandlingandreleasetechniquesforprotectedseabirdsandseaturtles.Protectedspeciesinteractionsforgearsotherthandriftgillnetandlonglinefisheriesarenotmajorissues(PFMC2007)USfishermenareobligedtocompletemandatorylogbooks(PFMC2007)andprovisionofdataonETPspeciesisincluded.ThesedataareusedtoaddressInternationalandNationalrequirements.NeitherUSlogbookdata(ChildersandBetcher2010)norindependentobserverdata(NMFS2007)showcatchofanyETPspecies.Allfisharelandedindividuallyandbarblesshooksareusedsoifan

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incidentalcatcheventofanETPspeciesoccurstheanimalmaybereturnedalive.Logbookdataverifiedbyobserverdata,combinedwiththepracticeofusingbarblesshookspermittingreleaseofnontargetspeciesalive,representsastrategyinplaceformanagingthefisher’simpactonETPspecies.Independentobserverdataprovidesanobjectivebasisthatthestrategywillwork.Thisisbasedonsomeinformationaboutthefishery.Thereisevidencefromlogbookdatathatthestrategyisbeingimplementedsuccessfully.ThereforeallissuesinSG80aremet.

InthecontextofexceptionallyrareincidencesofETPspeciesbeingcaughtinthisfishery,acomprehensivestrategycanbeconsideredtobeinplaceintermsofmonitoringthroughprovisionofmandatorylogbookdata,andtheuseofbarblesshooksasameasuretoimprovethemortalityofreturnedspecies.USfishermenalsohavedetailedguidelinesonsafehandingandreleasemethodstominimizemortalityofETPspecies(PFMC2007)sothestrategyachieves‘above’nationalandinternationalrequirementsfortheprotectionofETPspeciessothefirstissueofSGismet.Comprehensiveindependentmonitoringdataarenotavailablehoweversoaquantitativeanalysisthatsupportshighconfidencethatthestrategywillworkisnotpossible.Thelackofongoingindependentmonitoringmeansthatclearevidencethatthestrategyisbeingsuccessfullyimplementedisnotavailable.Onthisbasistroll&jigandpole&linescore85forthisPI(2.3.2).

Scores for MSC Component 2.3: Endangered, Threatened, & Protected Species, troll and jig (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.3.1  Outcome     100;  No  ETP  bycatch  

2.3.2  Management     85;  No  ongoing  independent  monitoring  

2.3.3  Information     80;  No  ongoing  independent  monitoring  

 Pole and Line

Seesectionabovefortrollandjig.

Scores for MSC Component 2.3: Endangered, Threatened, & Protected Species, pole and line (from GTCL 2010)

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.3.1  Outcome     100;  No  ETP  bycatch  

2.3.2  Management     85;  No  ongoing  independent  monitoring  

2.3.3  Information     80;  No  ongoing  independent  monitoring  

 Habitat

Troll and Jig

[FromGTCL2010]:Trollingforalbacoretunaiscarriedoutbytowingupto14artificialjigsonindividuallinesofmonofilamentintheepipelagiczoneoftheopenocean(Dotson1980).No

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contactismadewiththeseabedandcontactwiththeepipelagiczoneisnegligiblebecauseoftheminimaldimensionsofthefishinggear.Oceanicpelagicspeciessuchasalbacoretunaaremigratoryandspendthemajorityoftheirlivesindeepwatersoffshore,typicallybeyondthecontinentalshelfinwatersdeeperthan100m.Basedonlimiteddataavailableforoceanicpelagicspecies,benthic-pelagiclinkagesarepredictablyweak(Grober-Dunsmoreetal.2008).Evidenceexiststhereforethatthefisheryishighlyunlikelytoreducehabitatstructureandfunctiontothepointwheretherewouldbeseriousorirreversibleharm.

Evidenceexiststhatthefisheryishighlyunlikelytoreducehabitatstructureandfunctiontothepointwheretherewouldbeseriousorirreversibleharm.Thereforeamanagementstrategyisnotrequiredandthefisheryscores100underthisPI.

Scores for MSC Component 2.4: Habitat, troll and jig (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.4.1  Outcome     100;  Unlikely  to  cause  irreversible  harm  

2.4.2  Management     100;  Management  strategy  not  required  

2.4.3  Information     100;  Geographic  range  of  fishery  is  well  documented  

 Pole and Line

[FromGTCL2010]:Pole&linefishingforalbacoretunaiscarriedoutbydeployingasinglebaitedhookattheendofaleaderofheavymonofilamentattheendofafishingpoleintheepipelagiczoneoftheopenocean.Nocontactismadewiththeseabedandcontactwiththeepipelagiczoneisnegligiblebecauseoftheminimaldimensionsofthefishinggear.Oceanicpelagicspeciessuchasalbacoretunaaremigratoryandspendthemajorityoftheirlivesindeepwatersoffshore,typicallybeyondthecontinentalshelfinwatersdeeperthan100m.Basedonlimiteddataavailableforoceanicpelagicspecies,benthic-pelagiclinkagesarepredictablyweak(Grober-Dunsmoreetal2008).Evidenceexiststhereforethatthefisheryishighlyunlikelytoreducehabitatstructureandfunctiontothepointwheretherewouldbeseriousorirreversibleharm.

Evidenceexiststhatthefisheryishighlyunlikelytoreducehabitatstructureandfunctiontothepointwheretherewouldbeseriousorirreversibleharm.Thereforeamanagementstrategyisnotrequiredandthefisheryscores100underthisPI.

Scores for MSC Component 2.4: Habitat, pole and line (from GTCL 2010)Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.4.1  Outcome     100;  Unlikely  to  cause  irreversible  harm  

2.4.2  Management     100;  Management  strategy  not  required  

2.4.3  Information     100;  Geographic  range  of  fishery  is  well  documented  

 

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Ecosystem

[FromGTCL2010]:Nomajorimpactshavebeenidentifiedinrelationtoretainedspecies,bycatch,ETPspeciesandhabitat.Keyecosystemelementsrelativetothescaleandintensityofthetrollingfisheryare,therefore,restrictedtothetargetspecies,albacoretuna.Keyelementswhichthereforeneedtobeconsideredare:depletionoftoppredatorsandtropiccascadecausedbydepletionofalbacoreasaprey/foragespecies,trophiccascadeeffectscausedbydepletionofalbacoreasapredator,andchangesingeneticdiversityofalbacorecausedbyselectivefishing.Informationontheeffectsonsizecompositionandspeciesbiodiversityoftheecologicalcommunityrelatesspecificallyinthiscasetotheeffectsoffishingonalbacoretunaandtrophiccascadeanalysesforthisspecies.

ExtensiveresearchhasbeencarriedoutonalbacoretunaasatoppredatorinPacifictunaecosystemandtrophicstatusstudieswhichprimarilyusetheEcopathwithEcosimmodel(Coxetal.2002a,Coxetal.2002b,Hinkeetal.2004,Sibertetal.2006).Albacoretunaisnotconsideredtobeacommonforagespeciesandthebodyofresearchwhichconsidersalbacoretunaasatoppredator,infersthatthefisheryforalbacoretunaandthereforeremovalofaportionofthestockasapotentialforagespecies,ishighlyunlikelytoadverselyaffectthedietofotherspecies.

Anumberofstudieshaveoccurredonalbacoredietsince1949,anddiethasremainedstableoverthisperiod.DespitearecentresurgenceofPacificsardine,onlyNorthernanchovyandPacificsauryconsistentlyhavebeenimportantprey.Theresultssupporttheoreticalpredictionsofoptimalforagingmodelsthatalbacoreprefercold,near–shorewaterscontaininganchovyandsaurywhileminimizingtimeinwarmer,offshorehabitatofsardine.Anestimated0.1%to5%ofanchovyrecruitmentbiomasswasremovedannuallybyalbacoretunafrom2005to2006andresearchhasshownthattop-downimpactsofpredationpotentiallyoccur,thatalbacoreandanchovyinteractstronglyandpopulationsmaybesensitivetochangesintheother(Glaser2009).Extensivemonitoringoftheanchovystockhasshownthestocktobeingoodconditionandrecruitment/abundanceisheavilyinfluencedbyoceanicclimaticchanges(PFMC2008,pers.Comm.MikeBurner,PFMC).Sauryabundanceisalsoheavilyinfluencedbyoceanicclimaticchanges(Tianetal.2002).Althoughtop-downimpactsofpredationpotentiallyoccursonNorthernanchovyandPacificsaury,itishighlylikelythattheseimpactsaresignificantlyoutweighedbytheeffectsofoceanicclimaticconditions.Thisinfersthatthealbacorefisheryandthereforeremovalofaportionofthestock,ishighlyunlikelytosignificantlyalterabundanceofthemainpreyspecies.

Moststockassessmentsincludetheimplicitassumptionthatanoverfishedresourcewillreverttoitsoriginalstatus,the“virginstock”,iffishingisdiscontinued.Itnowappears,however,that‘severeoverfishing’canproduceirreversibleconsequences(intermsofgeneticdiversity),whichmaybeduetotheeliminationofoneormoresub-populations(FAO2001).AnalysisofstockstatusinP1ofthisreporthasshownthatthePacificalbacoretunastockisnotconsideredtobeoverfishedandthereforegeneticdiversityoftheoverallpopulationisunlikelytochangeduetocurrentlevelsoffishingeffort.Inaddition,thehighlymigratorybehaviourofalbacoretuna(Kohinetal.2005),whichresultsinwidespreaddispersionthroughoutthePacificshouldpreventsubpopulationsfrombeingoverfished.Thisinfersthatfishingeffortishighlyunlikelytodisruptthegeneticdiversityofalbacoretuna.ThelowimpactofalbacoretunaonotherspeciesintermsoftrophiccascadeaspreviouslydescribedinPrinciple2ofthisassessment,infersthatthegeneticdiversityoftropicrelatedspeciesisalsohighlyunlikelytobedisrupted.

Basedontheinformationprovidedabove,thereisevidencethatthealbacorefisheryishighly

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unlikelytodisrupttherelevantkeyelements(predator–prey,prey–predatorrelationshipsandgeneticdiversity)underlyingecosystemstructureandfunctiontoapointwheretherewouldbeaseriousorirreversibleharm.

MSC Principle 3: Management System

Governance and Policy

[FromGTCL2010]:TheMagnuson-StevensFisheryConservationandManagementAct(asamendedthrough2008)istheprincipallawgoverningmarinefisheriesintheUnitedStates.ItwasoriginallyadoptedtoextendcontrolofU.S.watersto200nauticalmilesintheocean;tophaseoutforeignfishingactivitieswithinthiszoneandtoconserveandmanagefisheryresources.

TheoperationalframeworkfortheNorthPacificalbacoretunafisheryisgenerallyconsistentwithlocal,nationalandinternationallawsorstandards.EvidenceofthisisprovidedbyTheMagnuson-StevensFisheryConservationandManagementActandtheFisheryManagementPlanforhighlymigratoryspecies,theHighSeasFishingComplianceAct,theTunaConventionsAct,theCanada/USATreaty,andmembershipintheWCPFCandtheIATTC.OtherevidencethatdemonstratethattheUSAisconsistentwithinternationallawsorstandardsinclude;UNConventionontheLawoftheSea(1982),RioDeclaration(1992),FAOCodeofConductforResponsibleFisheries(1995),UNStraddlingStocksAgreementUNFA(1995).

Evidenceoftheexistenceofamanagementsystemthatincorporatestransparentmechanismfortheresolutionoflegaldisputes,effectiveindealingwithmostissuesandthatisappropriatetothecontextofthefisheryisprovidedintheFMP.Section1.3oftheFMPstates“TheUnitedStatesshallcooperatedirectlyorthroughappropriateinternationalorganizationswiththosenationsinvolvedinfisheriesforhighlymigratoryspecieswithaviewtoensuringconservationandshallpromotetheachievementofoptimumyieldofsuchspeciesthroughouttheirrange,bothwithinandbeyondtheexclusiveeconomiczone.”TheNationalCourtprovidestheultimatesystemforresolutionofdomesticdisputes.AlsoSection1.3oftheFMPprovidesevidenceoftheexistenceofasystemtocomplyinatimelyfashionwithbindingjudicialdecisionsarisingfromanylegalchallengesSection6oftheFMPcontainmechanismstoformallycommittothelegalrightscreatedexplicitlyorestablishedbycustomofpeopledependentonfishingforfood:“PacificCoasttreatyIndiantribeshavetreatyrightstoharvestHMSintheirusualandaccustomedfishingareasinU.S.waters.”

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

2.5.1  Outcome     100;  Unlikely  to  disrupt  key  elements  to  ecosystem  structure  

2.5.2  Management     100;  No  impact  identified,  thus  no  management  strategy  is  needed  

2.5.3  Information     100;  Evidence  is  available  that  shows  the  fishery  is  unlikely  to  disrupt  the  ecosystem  

 

Scores for MSC Component 2.5: Ecosystem (from GTCL 2010)

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TheconsultativeprocessforNorthPACIFICAlbacoreisextensiveatboththescientificandmanagementlevels.First,theALBWGoftheISCgeneratestheprimaryassessments.TheInternationalScientificCommittee(ISC)isaformalscientificbodymadeupofscientistsfromcountriesthroughoutNorthPacificwhichreviewstunaassessmentsandresearchintheNorthPacific.IntheUSAtheconsultationprocessisdescribedintheFisheriesManagementPlanforHighlyMigratorySpecies.Theconsultationprocessprovidesevidencethatorganizationsandindividualsinvolvedinthemanagementprocesshaveasayintheproceedings.Functions,rolesandresponsibilitiesareexplicitlydefinedandwellunderstoodforallareasofresponsibilityandinteraction.Functions,rolesandresponsibilitiesaredefinedinthetermsofreferenceofPFMCbodiesandtheinternationalCommittees.ThePFMCprocessprovidesopportunityandencouragementforpartiesinvolvedinthealbacoretunafisherytoexpresstheirviews.PartiescanprovidebriefstoappropriatePFMCCommittees.TheHMSFMPprovidestheregulatorymechanismsneededfortheUSalbacorefisheryandthemechanismsforadvisingtheUSonnegotiationsforaccessrightswithothercountries(Canada).Thecommissionsformulateoverarchingmanagementregulationsbaseduponrecommendationsfromscientificcommitteesorstaff.Regulationsarethenimplementedbyindividualmemberandcooperatingcountries.TheUSAisamembercountryoftheWCPFCandIATTC.

Scores for MSC Component 3.1: Governance and Policy (from GTCL 2010)

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

3.1.1  Legal  and/or  Customary  Framework  

  90;  The  management  system  is  generally  consistent  with  local,  national  or  international  laws  or  standards  that  are  aimed  at  achieving  sustainable  fisheries  in  accordance  with  MSC  Principles  1  and  2.  

3.1.2  Consultation,  Roles  and  responsibilities  

  100;  The  management  system  includes  consultation  processes  that  regularly  seek  and  accept  relevant  information,  including  local  knowledge.  The  management  system  demonstrates  consideration  of  the  information  and  explains  how  it  is  used  or  not  used.  

3.1.3  Long-­‐term  Objectives     100;  Magnuson-­‐Stevens  Act  and  FMPs  

3.1.4  Incentives  for  Sustainable  Fishing     80;  The  management  system  provides  for  incentives  that  are  consistent  with  achieving  the  outcomes  expressed  by  MSC  Principles  1  and  2  and  seeks  to  ensure  that  negative  incentives  do  not  arise.  

 

Fishery Specific Management System

[FromPFMC2011]:InCalifornia,Ageneralresidentornon-residentcommercialfishinglicenseandacurrentCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(CDFG)vesselregistrationarerequiredtocatchandlandalbacore.Additionally,theHMSFMPrequiresafederalpermitwithasurfacehook-and-linegearendorsementforallU.S.commercialandrecreationalcharterfishingvessels

16

thatfishforHMSwithintheWestCoastexclusiveeconomiczone(EEZ,3–200nauticalmiles)andforU.S.vesselsthatpursueHMSonthehighseas(seawardoftheEEZ)andlandtheircatchinCalifornia,Oregon,orWashington.

EnforcementoffishingregulationsisconductedinstatewatersbyCDFW’sLawEnforcementDivisionandinfederalwatersbyNOAA’sOfficeofLawEnforcement.Additionallytoolssuchasportsampling,logbooks,andobservercoverageareusedtomonitorcatchandensurevesselshavethecorrectpermitsforthecatchtheyarelanding.Violatorsareprosecutedunderthelaw.Thereisnoevidenceofsystemicnon-compliance.

PleaseseetheHarvestStrategysectionunderPrinciple1forfurtherinformation.

Scores for MSC Component 3.2: Fishery Specific Management System (from GTCL 2010)

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  

3.2.1  Fishery  Specific  Objectives     100;  HMS  FMP  

3.2.2  Decision-­‐making  Processes     95;  Established  decision-­‐making  processes  use  the  precautionary  approach  and  respond  to  important  issues  that  may  arise  

3.2.3  Compliance  &  Enforcement  

  95;  An  enforcement  system  exists  and  has  demonstrated  an  ability  to  enforce  relevant  management  measures,  strategies  and/or  rules.  

3.2.4  Research  Plan     90;  HMS  FMP  

3.2.5  Management  Performance  Evaluation  

  80;  The  fishery  has  in  place  mechanisms  to  evaluate  key  parts  of  the  management  system  and  is  subject  to  regular  internal  and  occasional  external  review.  

 

California Specific Requirements

TheCaliforniavoluntarysustainableseafoodprogramrequiresfisheriesseekingcertificationtomeetCaliforniaspecificstandardsinadditiontothestandardsandrequirementsoftheMarineStewardshipCouncil(MSC)sustainablefisheriescertificationprogram.Theseinclude:

1.Higherscores(80insteadof60)fortwoperformanceindicators(PI)oftheMSCprogram:“StockStatus”(PI1.1.1)and“By-catchofEndangered,Threatened,orProtected(ETP)Species”(PI2.3.1).ThesetwoPIsarehighlightedinthereport.

2.Additionalindependentscientificreview:TheOPCScienceAdvisoryTeamwillbeengagedinthecertificationprocessthroughearlyconsultationinreviewingminimumeligibilitycriteria,andreviewoftheMSC-requiredpre-assessmentsandfullassessments.ThereviewswillbeconductedinadditiontoMSC’speerreview,thusbringingadditionalcredibility,transparency,

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andindependencetoCalifornia’scertificationprocess.

3.Additionaltraceabilitycomponents:TheCaliforniaprogramwilldevelopauniquebarcodeforCaliforniacertifiedsustainablefish.Thisbarcodecanbeeitherscannedbyasmart-phoneorlinkedtoawebsitethatwillrevealadditionalinformationaboutthefishery,andinformationabouttoxicitywhenavailable.

References

CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife(CDFW).2013.2013-2014CaliforniaOceanSportFishingRegulations.112pp.

Childers,J.andA.Betcher.(2010)Summaryofthe2008U.S.NorthandSouthPacificalbacoretrollfisheries.NOAAAdmin.Rep.No.LJ-10-01:20pp

Cox,S.P.,S.J.D.Martell,C.J.Walters,T.E.Essington,J.F.Kitchell,C.H.Boggs,andI.Kaplan.2002a.ReconstructingecosystemdynamicsinthecentralPacificOcean,1952-1998:I.EstimatingpopulationbiomassandrecruitmentoftunasandbillfishesCanadianJournalofFisheriesandAquaticScience59:1724-1735.

Cox,S.P.,T.E.Essington,J.F.Kitchell,S.J.D.Martell,C.J.Walters,C.H.BoggsandI.Kaplan.2002b.ReconstructingecosystemdynamicsinthecentralPacificOcean,1952-1998:II.apreliminaryassessmentofthetrophicimpactsoffishingandeffectsontunadynamics.CanadianJournalofFisheriesandAquaticScience59:1736-1747.

Dotson,R.C.1980.FishingmethodsandequipmentoftheU.S.westcoastalbacorefleet.U.S.Dep.Commerce,NOAATech.Memo.,NOAA-TM-NWS-SWFC-8,126pp.

FoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO).2001.ResearchImplicationsofAdoptingthePrecautionaryApproachtoManagementofTunaFisheries.FAOFisheriesCircularNo.963ISSN0429-9329.

FoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)2005.Discardsintheworld’smarinefisheries.FAOtechnicalpaper470.

Glaser,S.M.2009.ForagingecologyofNorthPacificalbacoreintheCaliforniaCurrentSystem.Doctoraldissertation.UniversityofCalifornia,SanDiego.213pp.

GlobalTrustCertificationLtd.(GTCL)2010.MSCFisheryAssessmentReport:PublicCertificationReport.TheCanadianHighlyMigratorySpeciesFoundation(CHMSF)BritishColumbiaNorthPacificAlbacore(Thunnusalalunga)TunaFisheryandtheAmericanWesternFishboatOwnersAssociation(WFOA)NorthPacificAlbacore(Thunnusalalunga)TunaFisheries.GlobalTrustCertificationLtd.,Riverlane,DundalkIreland.

Grober-Dunsmore,R.,L.Wooninck,J.Field,C.Wahle,C.Ainsworth,J.P.Beets,S.Berkeley,J.A.Bohnsack,R.Boulon,R.D.Brodeur,J.Brodziak,L.Crowder,D.F.Gleason,M.A.Hixon,L.Kaufman,W.L.Lindberg,M.L.MillerandL.Morgan.2008.VerticalZoninginMarineProtectedAreas:EcologicalConsiderationsforBalancingPelagicFishingwithConservationofBenthicCommunities.FisheriesMagazine33:598-610.

Hinke,J.T.,I.C.Kaplan,K.Aydin,G.M.Watters,R.J.Olson,andJ.F.Kitchell.2004.

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Visualizingthefood-webeffectsoffishingfortunasinthePacificOcean.EcologyandSociety.Vol:9(1).10pp.

InternationalScientificCommitteeforTunaandTuna-likeSpeciesintheNorthPacificOcean(ISC).2009.Annex6,Annex9:Reportofthealbacoreworkinggroupworkshop.In:ReportoftheNinthMeetingoftheInternationalScientificCommitteeforTunaandTuna-likeSpeciesintheNorthPacificOcean,PlenarySession.

InternationalScientificCommitteeforTunaandTuna-likeSpeciesintheNorthPacificOcean(ISC).2011.StockAssessmentofAlbacoreTunaintheNorthPacificOceanin2011.Reportofthealbacoreworkinggroupstockassessmentworkshop.NationalResearchInstituteofFarSeasFisheriesShimizu,Shizuoka,Japan,424-8633.

Kohin,S.,J.ChildersandG.Sakagawa.2005.ArchivaltaggingofNorthPacificAlbacore:Thelatestsuccessinover30yearsofcooperationwiththeU.S.AlbacoreFishery.Posterpres.Amer.Fish.Soc.Meet.Anchorage.

NationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS).2007.NationalMarineFisheriesService–SouthwestRegionUSWestCoastAlbacoreObserverProgramObservedCatch2004–2006.

NationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS).2009.HMSCommercialComplianceGuideforComplyingwiththeAtlanticTunas,Swordfish,Sharks,andBillfishRegulations.OfficeofSustainableFisheriesHighlyMigratorySpeciesManagementDivision.

PacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).2007.FisheryManagementPlanforU.SWestCoastFisheriesforHighlyMigratorySpecies.PreparedunderNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationawardnumberNA05NMF441008.

PacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).2008.StatusofthePacificCoastCoastalPelagicSpeciesFisheryandRecommendedAcceptableBiologicalCatches.Stockassessmentandfisheryevaluation2008.

PacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).2009.USCoastalPelagicSpeciesFisheriesManagementPlan.

PacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).2012.StatusoftheU.S.WestCoastFisheriesforHighlyMigratorySpeciesthrough2011,StockAssessmentandFisheryEvaluation.PreparedbythePacificFisheryManagementCouncilinconjunctionwiththeNationalMarineFisheriesService,SouthwestRegionunderNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationawardnumberNA10NMF4410014.

Sibert,J.,J.Hampton,P.Kleiber,andM.Maunder.2006.Biomass,size,andtrophicstatusoftoppredatorsinthePacificOcean.Science15December2006:1773-1776.SouthPacificAlbacoreResearchWorkshop.Reports1st–6thMeetings.

Tian,Y.,T.AkamineandM.Suda.2003.VariationsintheabundanceofPacificsaury(Cololabissaira)fromthenorthwesternPacificinrelationtooceanic-climaticchanges.FisheriesResearch60(2-3):439-545.

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MSC Assessment Tree Albacore Tuna* Pole and line Troll and jig

Principle Component Performance Indicator All All

Principle 1: Health of Fish Stock

Outcome

1.1.1: Stock status

1.1.2: Reference points

1.1.3: Stock rebuilding Did not assess Did not assess

Harvest Strategy (Management)

1.2.1: Harvest strategy

1.2.2: Harvest control rules

1.2.3: Info/ monitoring

1.2.4: Stock assessment

Principle 2: Impact on Ecosystem

Retained species 2.1.1: Status

2.1.2: Mgmt strategy

2.1.3: Information

By-catch species 2.2.1: Status

2.2.2: Mgmt strategy

2.2.3: Info

ETP species 2.3.1: Status

2.3.2: Mgmt strategy

2.3.3: Info

Habitats 2.4.1: Status

2.4.2: Mgmt strategy

2.4.3: Info

Ecosystem 2.5.1: Status

2.5.2: Mgmt strategy

2.5.3: Info

Principle 3: Management System

Governance & Policy

3.1.1: Legal framework

3.1.2: Consultation, roles, and responsibilities

3.1.3: Long term objectives

3.1.4: Incentives for sustainable fishing

Fishery Specific Mgmt System

3.2.1: Fishery specific objectives

3.2.2: Decision making process

3.2.3: Compliance & enforcement

3.2.4: Research plan

3.2.5: Management performance evaluation

Appendix A