3.6 Transactions with Vessels Implementing Best Practices for Sharks, Sea Turtles and Seabirds

Some RFMOs have adopted requirements for the use of certain gear modifications, such as the use of whole finfish bait, circle hooks and monofilament lines, and/or handling techniques, and/or prohibited the use of “shark lines,” in some longline tuna fisheries, while others have not. ISSF is committed to supporting a transition to the use of such techniques by longline vessels, globally.

To further support the implementation of existing RFMO conservation measures for bycatch mitigation in longline tuna fisheries, and to promote the appropriate use of such techniques by longline fleets globally:

1. 1. Processors, traders, importers, marketers and others involved in the seafood industry shall conduct transactions only with those longline vessels whose owners have a public policy requiring the implementation of the following best practices for sharks, seabirds and marine turtles:
      (a) the use of circle hooks and only monofilament lines (e.g., the use of wire trace is prohibited);
      (b) the use of whole finfish bait;
      (c) implementation by the crew of best practice handling techniques for sharks, seabirds and marine turtles, such as those outlined in the ISSF Skippers’ Guidebook to Sustainable Longline Fishing Practices; and
      (d) No use of “shark lines” at any time.
   2. For the purposes of this measure, a large-scale longline vessel is defined as a vessel that is equal to or greater than 20m length overall (LOA).