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Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax)

Certification Units Covered Under this Species

• Purseseine

Summary

PacificsardineiscurrentlyoneofthemostabundantforagefishspeciesalongthewestcoastofNorthAmerica,extendingfromthetipofBajaCaliforniatoBritishColumbia.Populationsundergonaturalfluctuationsoverperiodsofapproximately60years;thesefluctuationsarelikelyrelatedtooceanicconditions.SardineisfederallymanagedunderthePacificFisheryManagementCouncil’sCoastalPelagicSpeciesFisheryManagementPlan,whichincludesannualstockassessments,harvestguidelines,andlimitedentrypermits.

Strengths:

• Wellmanagedfisherywithannualstockassessments,harvestguidelines,andlimited entrypermits

• Longhistoryofmonitoringdata;fisheryindependentanddependentdatacollected

• Bycatchisminimal;mostincidentalcatchisretainedandconsistsofothercoastalpelagic species

Weaknesses:

• Thereareextremenaturalpopulationfluctuations

• Moreinformationisneededtodetermineifcurrentharvestlevelsimpacttheecosystem asawhole

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History of the Fishery in California

Biology of the Species

Pacificsardinearesmall,pelagic,schoolingfishfromthefamilyClupeidae,whichincludeothercoastalpelagicssuchasherringandmenhaden.Sardinefeedonplanktonandhelpformthebaseofthemarinefoodwebasimportantforageformarinemammals,birds,andfishofhighertrophiclevels.Sardinesexhibitcounter-shading;theyhavesilverbelliesandblue-greencoloringontheirdorsalsurfacewithdistinctivedarkspotsontheirside,abovethelateralline.Typicallysardinesarefoundinlargeschoolsduringtheday(oftenwithjackmackerel,Pacificmackerel,andnorthernanchovy)anddisperseatnight(Love2011).Maximumsizeofsardinesisabout41cminlengthand0.32kg,althoughmostarecapturedbelow30cminlength(Hilletal.2012).Sardinesaregenerallymatureatabout18cminlengthorbetween2-3yearsofage,howeverthiscanbedependentonbiomass,latitude,andtemperature(Butler1987;Hill1999).Atrelativelylowbiomasslevels,sardineappeartobefullymatureatageone,whereasatveryhighbiomasslevelsonlysomeofthetwo-year-oldsaremature(MacCall1979).Pacificsardinecanlive13-25years,althoughmostcapturedinCaliforniaarebelow5yearsofage(Hilletal.2012).

Sardinepopulationsexhibitextremenaturalvariationinabundance.Forexample,inthe1930’sPacificsardinesupportedthelargestfisheryintheEasternPacificocean;howeverbythe1950sthefisherycollapsedandcausedeconomicruintocanneriesalongtheU.S.Westcoast.Afterseveraldecadesofecologicalabsence,thewestcoastsardinepopulationrapidlystartedtorebuildagaininthe1980s.Asaresultofthesardinecollapse,in1949theCaliforniaCooperativeOceanicFisheriesInvestigations(CalCOFI)wasformedtostudytheecologicalreasonsbehindthecollapse.CalCOFIresearchhasledtothedevelopmentofquantitativefisheriesmodelsandinsightintoclimate/fisheriesinteractions.Someofthisresearchhasshownthatsardinepopulationsundergocyclicalfluctuationsoveraperiodofabout60years(Baumgartneretal.1992).ThereasonforthefluctuatingnatureofPacificsardinepopulationsisstillunknown,butishypothesizedtobeassociatedwithchangesinseasurfacetemperatureandupwelling(Chavezetal.2003;Emmettetal.2005;Herricketal.2007;Lluch-Beldaetal.1991;NortonandMason2005).Overthelast100years,sardinepopulationshaveincreasedduringperiodsofwarmerthanaverageoceantemperaturesanddecreasedduringperiodsofcolderthanaverageoceantemperatures.Duringpopulationincreasesassociatedwithwarmerwater,sardinescanbefoundfromthetipofBajaCaliforniatoBritishColumbia,Canada;however,duringpopulationdeclinesassociatedwithcolderwater,sardinesarerarelyfoundnorthofPointConception.

ThelargestspawningbiomassofPacificsardinesinCaliforniaoccursoffshorebetweenMontereyandEnsenada,MexicointhetransitionzonebetweeninshoreupwelledwatersandtheoffshoreCaliforniaCurrent.RecentspawninghasbeenconcentratedintheregionoffshoreandnorthofPointConception(Loetal.2005&2010&2013).Sardinesarebatchspawners,releasingabout9,000–100,000eggsatatimeandspawnbetweenFebruaryandAugustofftheCaliforniacoast.PeakspawningtemperaturesoffCaliforniaarebetween13°C–15°C(Hilletal.2012).Asjuvenilesandsubadults,sardineresideprimarilynearshore,butastheygrowolderandlargertheymovefurtheroffshore,ultimatelyinitiatingseasonalmigratorybehaviornorthinsummermonthstofeed.Despitelarge-scalemovements,adultsardinereturntopreviouslymentionedoffshorespawningareasinthefallforspawninginspringmonths.Pacificsardinehavebeenobservedfromthesurfzoneoutto350milesoffshore.

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AlongtheWestcoastofNorthAmerica,thereisagenerallyacceptedhypothesisthatsardinesbelongtothreeseparatestocks(Vrooman1964;Felix-Uragaetal.2004;Felix-Uragaetal.2005;Garcia-Rodriguezetal.2011):asouthern,“warm”stockfoundintheGulfofCaliforniaandSouthernBajaCalifornia;acentral“temperate”stockfoundoffofCentralBajaCalifornia;andanorthern“cold”stockfoundnorthofNorthernBajaCalifornia.AlllandingsfromCaliforniaareassumedtocomefromthenorthern,“cold”stock.

Commercial Fishery

[FromHilletal.2012]:ThesardinefisherywasfirstdevelopedinresponsetodemandforfoodduringWorldWarI.Landingsincreasedfrom1916to1936,peakingatover700,000metrictons(mt).Pacificsardinessupportedthelargestfisheryinthewesternhemisphereduringthe1930sand1940s,withlandingsinBritishColumbia,Washington,Oregon,California,andMéxico.Thepopulationandfisherydeclinedinthelate1940s,withsomeshort-termreversals,toextremelylowlevelsinthe1970s.Duringthistimea2-yearmoratoriumontargetingsardineswasenactedin1967,followedbyapartialliftingofthemoratoriumin1969(allowed250tonsofsardinestobetargetedannuallyasbait),followedbyafinalmoratoriumin1974wherenotargetedsardinefishingcouldoccuruntilthesardinespawningbiomassreached20,000tons(Wolf1992).Intheearly1980s,sardinesstartedshowingupasincidentalcatchwithPacificandjackmackerelinthesouthernCaliforniamackerelfishery.Assardinescontinuedtoincreaseinabundance,adirectedfisherywasreestablishedandtheincidentalfisheryended(in1991).BesidesSanPedroandMonterey,California,substantialPacificsardinelandingsarenowmadeinthePacificNorthwestandinBajaCalifornia,Mexico.

InCalifornia,theprincipalportareasforlandingsardineareMontereyandLosAngeles.Landingsincreasedinthemid1990s,butdeclinedfrom2008-2011becauseofdecreasedquotasasresultofestimatedstockdeclines(Figure1).Landingsandex-vesselrevenuefortheentireWestcoastfrom1981-2012areshowninFigure1.In2010,over85%oftheannualsardinecatchwasexportedoverseas;theprimaryexportcountrieswereJapan,Thailand,China,MalaysiaandSouthKorea(PFMC2011).Domestically,sardinesaremainlyusedasbait.ThereisanactivecommerciallivebaitfisherythatoperatesprimarilyinsouthernCalifornia(PFMC2011).Thecommerciallivebaitfisheryforsardineprovidesanimportantsourceofbaittobothcommercialpassengerfishingvesselsandprivateboats.Landingsdatafromthisfisheryarecurrentlyavailablethroughavoluntarylogbookprogram.

Pacificsardineareprimarilycapturedbypurseseine,althoughsincethe1990s,purseseinersbeganconvertingtodrumseineswhichareeasiertodeployandretrieve.Thereisalsosomeincidentalcatchbymid-watertrawlfisheries.

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Figure 1.Totallandingsandex-vesselrevenueofPacificsardinealongtheU.S.Westcoast1981-2012(datafromPFMC2011,PacFIN2013).

Recreational Fishery

Thereisarecreationalfisheryforsardinebyanglerswhocapturethemprimarilyforconsumption.Themajorityoffishlandedarefromman-madestructures,suchaspiersandjetties,wherenosportsfishinglicenseisrequired.Iffishingfromanythingotherthanaman-madestructure,asportfishinglicenseisneeded.TherearenolimitsontherecreationaltakeofPacificsardine.

The2012CArecreationalPacificsardinecatchestimateassampledfromtheCaliforniaRecreationalFisheriesSurvey(CRFS)was62.1metrictons,or853,791fish.Thiswasanincreasefrom2011of183%inmetrictons,and82%innumbersoffish(http://www.recfin.org/data/estimates/tabulate-recent-estimates-2004-current;catchtypesA+B1,allmodes/areas,querydate7-5-13).

MSC Principle 1: Resource Sustainability

*Sustainability of Target Stock

[FromPFMC2011]:Sardinepopulationsstartedtorebuildinthe1980sandbythe1990s,stockbiomasswasrapidlyincreasing.Sardinebiomasspeakedat1.33mmtin1999and1.37mmtin2006(Figure2).AsofJuly2012,stockbiomasswasestimatedat659,539mt(Hilletal.2012).Recruitmentishighlyvariableanditappearsbothdensity-dependentandenvironmentalfactorsplayanimportantrole.Recruitmentpeakedin1997,2003,2007and2009.Bothrecruitmentandbiomasshavebeendecliningsince2009and2006,respectively.Despitethisrecentdecline,populationsareconsideredhealthyandmanagementmeasuresareinplacetorespondtochangingpopulationlevels(seeHarvestStrategy).Sincethetimefederalharvestguidelinesweresetin2000,sardinecatchhasbeenbeloworveryclosetotheharvestguideline(Figure3).TheU.S.exploitationrate(annualcatchdividedbybiomass)hasbeendecliningsince2002,althoughthetotal(Mexico,U.S.,Canada)exploitationratehasincreasedinrecentyears(Figure4).

*ForCalifornia’sSustainableSeafoodProgram,thiscategorymustscorean80orhigherduringanMSCassessment.

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Figure 2. StockbiomassofPacificsardinefrom1993–2012(figurefromHilletal.2012).

Figure 3. U.S.harvestguidelinevaluesandcatchessincetheonsetoffederalmanagement(figurefromHilletal.2012).

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Figure 4. Exploitationrate(annualcatchdividedbybiomass)ofPacificsardinefrom1993–2011(figurefromHilletal.2012).

Evaluation against MSC Component 1.1: Sustainability of Target StockPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  1.1.1  Stock  Status     Stock  is  well  above  the  LRP*  and  has  been  

consistently  above  the  TRP*  since  2000;  annual  stock  assessments  are  available    

1.1.2  Reference  Points     Explicit  reference  points  are  used  and  evaluated  during  annual  stock  assessments  

1.1.3  Stock  rebuilding       Not  triggered;  stock  is  considered  healthy    *MSCevaluationsdefineaLimitingReferencePoint(LRP)andaTargetReferencePoint(TRP).InthecaseofPacificsardine,thecutoffpointof150,000qualifiesastheLRPandthefractionofsardineallowedtobeharvestedabovethecutoffpoint(cappedat15%)qualifiesastheTRP.

Harvest Strategy (Management)

ThePacificsardinepopulationoverlapsthreecountries:Canada,theU.S.andMexico.NoformalfisherymanagementagreementexistsamongCanadian,U.S.andMexicangoverningagencies;however,representativesfromgovernment,academiaandindustryfromeachcountrymeeteachyearattheTrinationalSardineForumtocollaborateonimprovingthecoast-widestockassessment.TheU.S.andMexicoharvestthemajorityofPacificsardine(Figure5).

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Figure 5.Sardinelandingsbyfishingregionandcalendaryear(fromHilletal.2011,Fig.1).Legend:BC=BritishColumbia;WA=Washingtonstate;OR=Oregonstate;CCA=centralCalifornia;SCA_DirandSCA_Inc=southernCaliforniadirectedandincidentalfishing,respectively;ENS=Ensenada(BajaMexico).

Priorto2000,Pacificsardineweremanagedbyindividualstates,butinJanuary2000,managementauthoritywastransferredtothePacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).PacificsardinearenowmanagedunderthefederalCoastalPelagicSpecies-FisheryManagementPlan(CPS-FMP;PFMC1998).TheCPS-FMPincludesalimited-entryfleetandanannualcoast-widestockassessmentthatsetsannualoverfishing(OFL)andharvestguideline(HG)levelsforsardine(PFMC2011).TheHGisbasedonaharvestcontrolrulethataccountsforscientificandmanagementuncertaintyandincludesabiomassestimateinformedbyfisheryandsurveydatafromMexico,theU.S.andCanada.ThereareseveralcomponentsthatgointotheHGcalculation,including(Hilletal.2012):

• TheestimatedaveragepercentageofsardinebiomassthatoccursinU.S.waters;thisis setat87%1.

• Acutoffpointof150,000mtofsardinebiomass;belowthispointnoharvestingof sardines,exceptaslivebait,isallowed.

• AmaximumHGof200,000mt,regardlessofhowhighthesardinebiomassgoes.

• Atemperature-dependent2fractionofsardinebiomass,abovethecutoffpoint,thatcanbe harvested.Inrecentyearsthishasbeen15%,butthefractioncanvarybetween5%and 15%.

Since2006,theannualcoastwidePacificsardineHGhasbeendividedintothreeallocationperiods.Inaddition,aportionoftheHGistypicallysetasideforincidentaltakeinotherfisheriesandforexemptedfishingpermits(touseforindustry-sponsoredresearch).

1Thisdistributiontermisbasedonhistoricalspotterpilotdatafrom1963-1992(PFMC1998).Therehavebeenrecentdiscussionsaboutupdatingthisterm,asthesardinestockhasshiftedwithchangingenvironmentalconditions,butmorerecentdatahavenotyetbeensynthesizedtoarriveatarefinedestimate(PFMC2013).2Inrecentyearsthebasisforthetemperaturedatahasbeencalledintoquestion,andsubsequentanalyseshavesupportedusinganoffshoretemperaturetimeseries(fromCalCOFIcruises)overthepreviousstaticpiertemperatureindex(fromScrippspier)(McClatchieetal2010,PFMC2013).

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Stockassessmentsforsardineareinformedbybothfishery-dependentdataandfisheryindependentdata.Fisherydependentdataincludes1)landingsfromEnsenada,MexicotoBritishColumbia,Canadaand2)biologicaldatafromportsamplingprograms.AllthreeU.S.states(CA,OR,WA)monitorthecommercialsardinecatchutilizingportsamplingprogramswhichprovidedatasuchasage(usingotoliths),length,sex,maturity,speciescompositionoftheCPScatch,andby-catchandincidentalcatch.Fishery-independentdataincludes1)DailyEggProductionMethod(DEPM)andTotalEggProduction(totalspawningbiomass)datacollectedontheannualCalCOFIcruise(1994–2012),2)aerialphotogrammaticsurveysofsardinebiomass(2009-2012)and3)acoustictrawlmethod(ATM)surveysofsardinebiomass(2006–2012).

InCanada,thesardinefisheryismanagedbytheDepartmentofFisheriesandOceans,whichsetsanannualquotaforPacificsardine.[FromDFO2012]:TheFisheryManagementFrameworkharvestcontrolrulesforsettingtheannualmaximumavailablecommercialharvestarebasedontheproductofthreefactors:1)thecurrentpopulationbiomassestimateintheNEPacificocean(fromEnsenada,MXtoB.C.)resultingfromtheannualU.S.assessment;2)thethree-yearrunningaverageseasonalmigrationrate,determinedastheratioofsardinebiomassinB.C.waters(basedprimarilyonobservationsfromthewestcoastofVancouverIsland)tothepopulationbiomassestimatefromthestockassessment,and3)anannualharvestrate(rangingfrom5-15%)approximatingwhatisappliedintheU.S.(15%since2002).Theestimatedthree-yearaveragesardinemigrationrateintoB.C.waters(for2012)is18.4%.

InMexico,thesardinefisheryismanagedbytheMinistryofAgriculture,Livestock,RuralDevelopment,FisheriesandFood(SAGARPA).HarvestofPacificsardineisnotregulatedbyaquotasystem,butthereisaminimumlegalsizerequirementof150mmstandardlengthandmeasurestocontrolthesizeofthefishingfleet.

Evaluation against MSC Component 1.2: Harvest StrategyPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  1.2.1  Harvest  Strategy     A  precautionary  harvest  strategy  is  in  place  which  

includes  an  annual  harvest  guideline  and  harvest  control  rules  

1.2.2  Harvest  Control  Rules  and  Tools  

  Precautionary  harvest  control  rules  are  in  place  and  evaluated  annually;  Catch  has  been  close  to  or  below  the  HG.  

1.2.3  Information/Monitoring     Fishery  dependent  and  independent  data  are  collected  to  support  the  harvest  strategy;  control  mechanisms  are  in  place  to  respond  to  changes  in  the  fishery  

1.2.4  Assessment  of  Stock  Status     Annual  stock  assessments  are  conducted  using  reliable  methods  

 

MSC Principle 2: Environment

Retained Species

Purse Seine

[FromPFMC2011]:Mostincidentalcatchinthesardinefisheryisretained.Inthepurseseinefishery,fisharepumpedfromtheseadirectlyintofishholdsaboardthevessel.Fishermen

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donotsortcatchatseaorwhatpassesthroughthepump.Unloadingoffishatthedockalsooccurswithpumps.Thefisharepumpedintoicebinsandtruckedtoprocessingfacilitiesinanotherlocationortoaconveyorbeltinaprocessingfacility,wherefisharesorted,boxed,andfrozen.CDFWportsamplesindicateminimalincidentalcatchintheCaliforniasardinefisheryandthecatchthatisobservedisprimarilyothercoastalpelagicfishspeciesmanagedundertheCPSFMP.Informationonretainedcatchisavailablefromportsamplingdata,observerdata,andlogbookdata.

RetainedcatchinCaliforniafrom2006-2010primarily*consistedof:northernanchovy,jackmackerel,batray,jellyfish,andmarketsquid.IncidentalcatchhasnotbeenquantifiedinCalifornia.InOregon,incidentalcatchwasprimarily*Pacificmackerel,jackmackerel,Pacificherring,northernanchovy,marketsquidandjellyfish;incidentalcatchmadeup0.2%oftotalsardinelandingsinOregonin2010.InWashington,incidentalcatchwasprimarily*mackerelandPacificherring.Pacificmackerel,jackmackerelandNorthernanchovyareallmanagedundertheCPSFMP(althoughjackmackerelandnorthernanchovyareonlymonitoredbytheCPSFMP).MarketsquidismanagedunderthestatemarketsquidFMP.Pacificherringismanagedbytheindividualstates.

Evaluation against MSC Component 2.1: Retained CatchPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  2.1.1  Outcome     Retained  species  catch  is  low  and  primarily  consists  

of  other  coastal  pelagic  species  2.1.2  Management     Coastal  pelagic  species  are  managed  under  the  

PFMC’s  CPS  FMP  2.1.3  Information     Port  sampling  data,  observer  data,  logbooks;  

Retained  species  catch  is  not  quantified  in  CA,  only  frequency  of  appearance  is  recorded.    

 Bycatch Species

Purse Seine

[FromPFMC2011]:Bycatchisdefinedasincidentalcatchthatisnotretained.Bycatchislowinthesardinefisherybecausemostspeciesareretained;fisharepumpeddirectlyintoholdingtanksandnotsorteduntiltheyreachtheprocessingfacility.Bycatchprimarilyconsistsofprotectedspecies(seenextsection).Informationonbycatchiscollectedfromlogbooksandobservercoverage.

Evaluation against MSC Component 2.2: BycatchPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  2.2.1  Outcome     SAFE  reports  state  that  bycatch  is  very  low    2.2.2  Management     Low  bycatch  2.2.3  Information     Observer  data,  logbooks    

 

*Observedatafrequencyof>5.0%inanyoneyearfrom2006-2010inCalifornia,orat>2mtinanyoneyearfrom2000-2010inOregonandWashington(PFMC2011).*ForCalifornia’sSustainableSeafoodProgram,thiscategorymustscorean80orhigherduringanMSCassessment.

*Endangered, Threatened, & Protected Species

Purse Seine

[FromPFMC2011]:InOregon,WashingtonandCalifornia,nineevolutionarilysignificantunits(ESU)ofChinooksalmonarelistedaseitherthreatenedorendangeredandfourESUsofCoho

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salmonarelistedaseitherthreatenedorendangered.AsvesselsmovenorthofMonterey,CA,thepotentialfortakingChinookandCohosalmonasbycatchincreases,althoughsalmonbycatchprimarilyoccursinOregonandWashington.InOregon,salmonbycatch(asreportedinlogbooks)rangedbetween186–519individualsperyearfrom2006to2010;between53%to67%ofthesefishwerereleasedalive.InWashington,salmonbycatchrangedbetween267–1,774individualsperyearfrom2000through2010.From2000to2004between22%and73%ofthefishwerereleasedalive(observerdata),butafter2004,between18.4%and18.7%werereleasedalive(logbookdata).

In2010,NMFSSWRProtectedResourcesDivisioncompletedaformalSection7BiologicalOpinion(BO)anddeterminedthatfishingactivitiesconductedundertheCPSFMPanditsimplementingregulationsarenotlikelytojeopardizethecontinuedexistenceofanyendangeredorthreatenedspeciesunderthejurisdictionofNMFSorresultinthedestructionoradversemodificationofcriticalhabitatofanysuchspecies.Specifically,thecurrentstatusoftheLowerColumbiaRiverChinook,SnakeRiverFallChinook,UpperWillametteChinook,PugetSoundChinook,LowerColumbiaRiverCohoandOregoncoastCoho,weredeemednotlikelytobejeopardizedbythePacificsardinefishery.

Evaluation against MSC Component 2.3: Endangered, Threatened & Protected Species

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  2.3.1  Outcome     Bycatch  of  salmon  was  determined  unlikely  to  

jeopardize  populations  in  a  Section  7  BO  2.3.2  Management     Magnuson-­‐Stevens  Act,  CEQA,  Migratory  Bird  Act,  

Marine  Mammal  Protection  Act,  etc.  2.3.3  Information     Section  7  BO  ,  SAFE  reports,  observer  data  

 

Habitat

Purse seine

Essentialfishhabitat(EFH)forcoastalpelagicspecies(CPS)wasdefinedin1998asallmarineandestuarinewatersinCalifornia,WashingtonandOregontothelimitsoftheexclusiveeconomiczone(EEZ)andabovethethermoclinewhereseasurfacetemperaturesrangebetween10°Cto26°C(PFMC1998).ArecentreviewoftheEFHin2010determinedthatnochangeswerenecessarytothe1998definition(CPSMT2010).

PurseseinesaretheprimarygearusedtocatchPacificsardines.Apurseseineisamovablenetusedtoencirclefish.Thetopofthenetisafloatlinewithcorks,orbuoys.Thenetisheldinaverticalpositionbyaweightedleadline.Thenetalsohasawirecable,runthroughringsonthebottom,whichisusedtodrawthenettogether.Purseseinefishersoftenusespotterplanesandsonartolocatethefish.Oncetheschoolislocated,asmallskifftakesoneendofthenetandthencirclesthefishwiththenet.Thewirecableiswinchedintocloseoffthebottomoftheseine.Thentheotherlinesarepulledinaswelltobringthecapturedschooloffishclosertothemothership,wherethefisharepumpedoutofthenetandputintofishholdsfilledwithrefrigeratedseawater(GoblirschandTheberge2003).Drumseinesaresimilartopurseseinesexceptahorizontallymounteddrumhaulsandstoresthenetinsteadofapowerblock.

AppendixDoftheCPSFMP(PFMC1998)notesthatcontactbetweenroundhaulgear(purseseines)andsubstrateisrareinfishingforCPSfinfish,becausefishingusuallyoccursinwaterdeeperthantheheightofthenet.Thus,theonlyopportunityfordamagetobenthosoressential

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fishhabitatforanyspeciesinfishingforCPSfinfishisfromlostgear.Thereispotentialforfishingtoimpactsquidspawninggroundsbecausemarketsquidattachtheireggcasestothebottomsubstrateatspawningsitesthatincludeshallow,nearshoreareas.Suchdamageisnotbelievedtobeextensiveandistransitorywithregardtothehabitat.

Evaluation against MSC Component 2.4: HabitatPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  2.4.1  Outcome     Limited  impact  with  substrate  because  fishing  usually  

occurs  in  water  deeper  than  the  height  of  the  net.    2.4.2  Management     Limited  entry  permits  limit  the  number  of  vessels  with  

purse  seines  2.4.3  Information     Appendix  D  of  CPS  FMP  

 

Ecosystem

Pacificsardinearefilterfeedersandpreyoncrustaceans,copepods,fishlarvaeandphytoplankton.Larvalsardinesfeedextensivelyontheeggs,larvae,andjuvenilestagesofcopepods,aswellasotherzooplanktonandphytoplankton.Sardinesprovideimportantforageformarinemammals,birds,andfishofhighertrophiclevels.Aconcernwithlowtrophiclevelfisheriesistheimpactpopulationfluctuationsmayhaveonspeciesofhighertrophiclevelsthatdependonthemforforage(Smithetal.2011,Kaplanetal.2013).Moreinformationisneededtodetermineifcurrentharvestlevelsimpacttheecosystem.

Toaddressthisconcern,severalmanagementagencieshaveadoptedpoliciesregardingforagefishspecies.InAprilof2013,thePFMCadoptedthePacificCoastFisheryEcosystemPlan(FEP)tohelpinformFMPswithmoreecosystemscience.Additionally,theCounciladoptedtheobjectivetoprohibitthedevelopmentofnew,directedfisheriesonforagespeciesthatarenotcurrentlymanagedbytheCouncilorstates,untiltheimpactsofanyproposedfisherycanbefullyunderstood.InCalifornia,theCaliforniaFishandGameCommission(FGC)alsovotedinNovemberof2012topreventthedevelopmentofneworexpandedforagefisheriesuntilessentialfisheryinformationneededforecosystembasedmanagementisavailableandappliedtomanagement.InWashington,theWashingtonFishandWildlifeCommissionadoptedaforagefishpolicyin1998toconsiderecosystemscienceinthemanagementofforagefishspeciesandtousetheprecautionaryapproachtomanagement.Oregondoesnotappeartohaveaspecificpolicyforforagefishspecies.

Evaluation against MSC Component 2.5: EcosystemPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  2.5.1  Outcome     Sardine  are  considered  a  low  trophic  level  species;  

more  information  is  needed  to  determine  if  current  harvest  levels  impact  the  ecosystem    

2.5.2  Management     The  PFMC  and  the  FGC  recently  adopted  policies  regarding  ecosystem  management  of  forage  fish  species.  

2.5.3  Information     Observer  data  on  bycatch    

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MSC Principle 3: Management System

Governance and Policy

FisheriesintheU.S.aregovernedbytheMagnuson-StevensFisheryConservationandManagementAct(MSFCMA)of1976.TheMSFMCArequiresmanagingatorbelowMSYlevels,rebuildingoverfishedstocksandendingoverfishing,minimizingbycatchandbycatchmortality,identificationofessentialfishhabitatandmitigationofadversefishingimpacts.Inaddition,theEndangeredSpeciesAct,theMarineMammalAct,theMigratoryBirdTreatyAct,theCoastalZoneManagementAct,andtheCleanWaterActapplytoorprovideprotectionforspeciesand/orhabitatthatmaybeaffectedbythetargetfishery.

TheMSFCMAestablishedeightregionalfisherymanagementcouncilstomanagefisheryresourcesintheU.S.ExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ).AlongtheU.S.westcoast,theEEZextendsfrom3to200nauticalmilesoffshore.EachcounciliscomprisedofFederal,State,andstakeholderrepresentatives.Additionally,advisorybodiesprovideexpertadviceonmattersrelatedtothepurposeofthecouncil.Thecouncilprocessemphasizespublicparticipationandinvolvementinfisheriesmanagement;meetingsareopentothepublicandtopubliccomment.ManagementmeasuresdevelopedbyeachcouncilarerecommendedtotheSecretaryofCommercethroughNOAA’sNationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS).Alongthewestcoast,managementmeasuresareimplementedbyNMFSNorthwestandSouthwestRegionalofficesandenforcedbytheNOAAOfficeofLawEnforcement,theU.S.CoastGuard11thDistrict,andlocalenforcementagencies.

Eachcouncildevelopsfisherymanagementplans(FMPs)forthestocksintheirregionspecifyinghowafisherywillbemanaged.TheGuidelinesforFisheryManagementPlans(NMFS1997)requirethatastockassessmentandfisheryevaluation(SAFE)reportbepreparedandreviewedannuallyforeachFMP.SAFEreportsareintendedtosummarizethebestavailablescientificinformationconcerningthepast,present,andpossiblefutureconditionofthestocks,marineecosystems,andfisheriesbeingmanagedunderfederalregulation.Regionalfisherymanagementcouncilsusethisinformationtodetermineannualharvestlevelsforeachstock,documentsignificanttrendsorchangesintheresources,marineecosystems,andfisheryovertime,andassesstherelativesuccessofexistingstateandfederalfisherymanagementprograms.InCalifornia,thePacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC)istheregionalcouncilthatmakesrecommendationstoNMFSonfederalfisheries.

Evaluation against MSC Component 3.1: Governance and PolicyPerformance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  3.1.1  Legal  and/or  Customary  Framework  

  PFMC  and  NMFS  operate  under  Magnuson-­‐Stevens  Act  

3.1.2  Consultation,  Roles  and  responsibilities  

  PFMC  meetings  are  public  and  public  participation  is  encouraged  

3.1.3  Long-­‐term  Objectives     Magnuson-­‐Stevens  Act  and  FMPs  3.1.4  Incentives  for  Sustainable  Fishing     Magnuson-­‐Stevens  Act  

 

Fishery Specific Management System

Priorto2000,Pacificsardineweremanagedbyindividualstates,butinJanuary2000,managementauthoritywastransferredtothePacificFisheryManagementCouncil(PFMC).

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PacificsardinearenowmanagedunderthefederalCoastalPelagicSpecies-FisheryManagementPlan(CPS-FMP;PFMC1998)Managementtoolsincludealimited-entrypermitsystemandannualquotas.TheCPS-FMPoutlinesfisheryspecificobjectives,anannualcoast-widestockassessmentthatsetsannualoverfishing(OFL)andharvestguideline(HG)levelsforsardine,anddiscussesfutureresearchneeds(PFMC2011).

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

Forfurtherinformation,pleaseseetheHarvestStrategysectionunderPrinciple1.

Evaluation against MSC Component 3.2: Fishery Specific Management System

Performance  Indicators   Rating   Justification  3.2.1  Fishery  Specific  Objectives     Outlined  in  the  CPS  FMP  3.2.2  Decision-­‐making  Processes     PFMC  has  an  appropriate  decision-­‐making  process  in  

place  3.2.3  Compliance  &  Enforcement  

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

3.2.4  Research  Plan     CPS  FMP  3.2.5  Management  Performance  Evaluation  

  Annual  stock  assessments  are  reviewed  by  the  stock  assessment  review  (STAR)  panel    

 

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,andindependencetoCalifornia’scertificationprocess.

3.Additionaltraceabilitycomponents:TheCaliforniaprogramwilldevelopauniquebarcodeforCaliforniacertifiedsustainablefish.Thisbarcodecanbeeitherscannedbyasmart-phoneorlinkedtoawebsitethatwillrevealadditionalinformationaboutthefishery,andinformationabouttoxicitywhenavailable

Recommendations

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Additionalresearchcanfurtherrefineorimprovethesardinestockassessmentmodel.Hilletal.(2012)citedsomeofthefollowingresearchrecommendations:

• Informationontemperature-at-catchcouldbeusedtodifferentiatebetweenthenorthern andsouthernsubpopulatons,sinceitisbelievedthesouthernstockinhabitswarmer waters.

• Exploremodelsthatusealongertimeperiod;thismayprovideabettercontext forevaluatingchangesinproductivity.Thisbroadercontextcanalsobeusedtotest environmentaltimeseriesforuseinsimulationsthatevaluatesardineharvestcontrol rules.

• Examinefisherytargetingwhendevelopingappropriatefisheryselectivities.

• Lookatthesexstructureofthepopulationandthecatch.

• Considerusingagecompositioninsteadoflengthandconditionalage-at-length compositiondata.

• ExploreamodelthathasseparatefleetsforMexico,California,Oregon-Washington,and Canada.

• Consideringanalternatespawner-recruitrelationshipthatisbothbiologicallyrealisticand thatwillstabilizethemodel.

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Appendix A

MSC Assessment Tree Pacific Sardine Purse seine

Principle Component Performance Indicator 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

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