PI 2.3.2 Management (M)

This paper describes new bio non-entangling FAD designs ISSF is developing ("Jelly-FAD") (Recommendations on FAD construction & trials on p. 12, photographic guide on p. 15)

Example of analyses that use estimated FAD deployment densities across the entire Pacific Ocean to examine the relative change in FAD loss out of equatorial fishing zones, under differing FAD lifetime scenarios, by simulating FAD drift over two years.

Example of analysis of alternative dynamic measures to avoid bycatch hotspots: seasonal and adaptive spatial measures.

This infographic explains how tuna fishers use FADs and lists four main ways that FADs affect non-target species (such as sharks and sea turtles) and ocean ecosystems.

Includes results to-date on tested materials and designs, current state of bio-based plastic and Recommendations

Example of research on alternative measures to avoid bycatch hotspots as a bycatch mitigation strategy.

This paper describes community empowerment and nest protection programs enhanced by voluntary offsets from the tuna industry.

This document reviews current knowledge on the biology, distribution and conservation status of whale sharks; provides a detailed analysis of interactions with purse seine fisheries in the Indian Ocean; and reviews existing measures aimed at mitigating and minimizing the impacts of purse seine fisheries, including current practices for safe handling and release.

Examples of tools and techniques, includes photographs and diagrams

Designed to guide efforts by the vessel community to systematically document and summarize data collected and reported by the EM system installed on tuna fishing vessels.

This checklist is aligned with ISSF Technical Paper 2022-09Rev.

ISSF can provide guidance and share existing studies/projects on electronic monitoring systems from different fisheries.

EMS vendors & providers (pp. 1-2)
FAD tracking & echosounder biomass data format guidance (pp. 5-6)
FAD tracking and echosounder biomass data tRFMO recipients (pp. 3)
LL Bycatch raw Data tRFMO recipients (pp. 4)

ISSF can provide guidance and share existing studies/projects on electronic reporting from different fisheries.

Simplified materials to improve crew engagement in EmEr systems

Study that demonstrates that the catch performance, aggregation evolution, and drift speed of Jelly-FADs were similar to, or even better than, those of conventional FADs.

Platform with information on the progress of some tuna fishery improvement projects.

Platform with information on the progress of global fishery improvement projects, as well as resources for FIPs and buyers.

See p. 37, Doc. No. j-FAD_08/2017

Example of data analysis from four empirical studies using satellite tags to estimate survival rates of four species of mobulids released from tuna purse seine vessels in three global regions.

Detailed handling protocols for sharks and rays

(WCPFC)

These guidelines resulted from workshops between fishers and scientists. Section 4 lists specific Recommendations.

ESP version

Example of analyses to quantify dFAD impacts and its reduction overtime as fleets transition to fully NEFADS with no netting

Workshop on turtles post-release survival in longline tuna fisheries

Biodegradable FADs - Workshop Report (ENG)

Biodegradable FADs - Workshop Report (ESP)

Biodegradable FADs - Workshop Report (FRA)

Biodegradable FADs - Ghana Workshop Report

The workshop focused on six sessions: (1) Bycatch of the tuna purse seine fishery, (2) sharks and rays, (3) small bigeye and yellowfin tuna, (4) FAD structure impacts, (5) FAD management, and, (6) looking ahead: the next 10 years. Hyperlink to presentations available in the Introduction section of the report.

Results of tests of the lifetime and robustness of three types of biodegradable ropes for use in biodegradable FAD construction.

Summary of 2019 ISSF skipper WS outcomes including fleets' level of acceptance and advances in various bycatch mitigation activities in different ocean regions.

This document summarizes recommended best practices for tropical tuna FAD fisheries, linked to MSC Performance Indicators.

Includes recommendations on: FAD materials (biodegradable), FAD design, FAD management, etc. (p. 108)

This paper describes best-practice monitoring activities for each MSC PI based on data needs, as well as to identify data monitoring systems, sources, and technology that can be used to collect this information.

Key recommendations and best practices, useful for improving scores against the MSC standard or to address common weaknesses in FIP Action Plans

Report of the workshop that includes recommendations on actions that can be taken to incentivize fewer FAD deployments and higher rates of FAD recovery.

This report provides practical examples that fleets could adopt as their FAD management policies. It is an update of ISSF Technical Report 2019-11.

The study defines key inputs for comprehensive, multispecies bycatch management strategy evaluation (e.g. multispecies conflicts and mutual benefits, commercial viability costs). The report includes a draft Decision or Resolution on holistic bycatch MSE to aid RFMOs.

This report summarizes some of the main impacts for fisheries that catch the major commercial tunas, by fishing gear. It includes a summary of fishery scores against the MSC Fisheries standard, a summary of management measures adopted by tuna RFMOs, and a summary of ISSF conservation measures.

The main objective of the workshop was to review progress in the development, operational characteristics, and evaluation of bioFADs regionally and globally, and to foster collaboration among stakeholders in anticipation of the regulatory deadlines for full transition to 100% biodegradable FADs established by most of the tuna RFMOs.

Overview of the current state, challenges, and opportunities related to acoustic discrimination in tropical tuna purse seine fisheries, resulting from a workshop held in 2025 with fishers and scientists.

The workshop addressed the logistical, technical, and economic aspects necessary to ensure the efficiency of FAD recovery programs. Participants identified the steps required to design and implement one, both within the Galápagos Marine Reserve and in other parts of the world.

Priority actions identified by ISSF each year for tropical-tuna RFMOs to take to improve fishery sustainability in their regions.

Video documenting the joint research between ISSF scientist and oceanographers to design the jelly-FAD, how it is constructed and first research experiments at sea.

Step-by-step guide shows tuna fishers how to build “jelly-FADs," a new model for a more ecologically sustainable fish aggregating device (FAD) design

Checklist of actions that Longline FIPs can perform to achieve high-level best practices with the objective of achieving MSC certification.

This document describes the presence of dFADs that have reached the Caribbean and the eastern coasts of North and South America based on a census of reported sightings of FADs.

Step-by-step guide covering: materials, construction, use on deck, vessel-specific adaptations and storage, and release methods.

Tool to benchmark and track fisheries as they progress towards sustainability and MSC certification

Current knowledge on Mobulid rays (Atlantic ocean)

PVR column that displays level of compliance with ISSF's requirement that there is no known use of large-scale drifnets by the vessel as per ISSF Conservation Measure 3.2

PVR column that displays level of compliance with ISSF's requirement on observer coverage for the vessel's type and size as per ISSF Conservation Measure 4.3

Electronic fishing logsheet and e-reporting for the WCPFC area. This app allow longline vessels to connect and send data to Tufman 2 Database.

Fishing vessels can register on the this public vessel list to show how they are following best practices that support sustainable tuna fisheries.

Preliminary results of jelly-FAD testing by several fleets in the Pacific Ocean.

Current knowledge on Mobulid rays (Indian ocean)

Current knowledge on Mobulid rays (Pacific ocean)

Checklist of actions that Purse Seine FIPs can perform to achieve high-level best practices with the objective of achieving MSC certification.

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Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

Poster includes Mobula rays ID guide and safe-release best practices

PVR column that displays level of compliance with ISSF's requirement that the vessel's company has a policy prohibiting shark finning, as per ISSF Conservation Measure 3.1.a

PVR column that displays level of compliance with ISSF's requirement that there is no known recent finding of the vessel conducting shark finning, as per ISSF Conservation Measure 3.1.b

Fisheries improvement stakeholders have an opportunity to organize side events in collaboration with ISSF on a topic relevant to FIPs (e.g, harvest strategies, harvest control rules, management strategy evaluations, or other topics). Use the FIP Support Form to contact us.

Results from research cruises on purse seiners equipped with hoppers with ramps on their working deck. Results show that shark survival can be significantly enhanced, doubling and even tripling shark survival rates reported in previous purse seine studies.

Example of analyses of FAD trajectory data to assess and quantify the potential connectivity between dFAD deployment areas and habitats of critically endangered sea turtles.

PVR column that displays level of compliance with ISSF's requirement on skipper education as per ISSF Conservation Measure 3.4

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Web version

Downloadable PDF

Downloadable PDF

Downloadable PDF

Downloadable PDF

Downloadable PDF

Downloadable PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Downloadable PDF

Downloadable PDF

Web version

Download an ePub or PDF

Downloadable PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Download an ePub or PDF

Analysis of fishery-dependent data to understand spatiotemporal distribution and hotspots

This article explains how yellowfin tuna target strenght contrasts with previous findings on bigeye and skipjack, demonstrating the discrimination potential of acoustics in these three species. To harness this potential, a discrimination algorithm was developed.

Preliminary results of jelly-FAD testing by several fleets in the western and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Example of tagging analysis to measure post-release mortality and evaluate effectiveness of bycatch handling and release methods and devices (e.g. hopper with ramp on deck).

Analysis of observer bycatch data to understand spatiotemporal distribution and hotspots in the Eastern Pacific

VOSI and the third-party auditing it provides can be used to verify implementation of initiatives such as the use of Electronic Monitoring (EM) that meets minimum standards

VOSI and the third-party auditing it provides can be used to verify implementation of FAD initiatives such as biodegradable FAD trials, FAD recovery initiatives, use of fully NEFADs with no netting, reporting of buoy position data or reporting of echosounder biomass data.

VOSI and the third-party auditing it provides can be used to verify implementation of initiatives such as landing all sharks with their fins naturally attached, if retained.

PVR column that displays level of compliance with ISSF's requirement that the vessel has public FAD Management Policies that include the activities purse seine and supply vessels are undertaking (if any) on FAD mgmt high-level best practices identified by ISSF

ISSF’s VOSI presents detailed information about tuna fishing vessels worldwide that (1) have publicly committed to sustainable-fishing best practices beyond those tracked on ISSF’s ProActive Vessel Register (PVR) vessel list and/or (2) are participating in Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries, MSC Improvement Program fisheries, or Fishery Improvement Project (FIPs).

Publication on history and status of fishery certifications (including MSC) and FIPs

Posters for purse-seine fishers to illustrate “best practices” for handling and releasing sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles that are incidentally caught. The posters are based on the best practices for bycatch-handling guidebook produced by Poisson et al. 2012.

Posters for purse-seine fishers to illustrate “best practices” for handling and releasing sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles that are incidentally caught. The posters are based on the best practices for bycatch-handling guidebook produced by Poisson et al. 2012.

Posters for purse-seine fishers to illustrate “best practices” for handling and releasing sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles that are incidentally caught. The posters are based on the best practices for bycatch-handling guidebook produced by Poisson et al. 2012.

Posters for purse-seine fishers to illustrate “best practices” for handling and releasing sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles that are incidentally caught. The posters are based on the best practices for bycatch-handling guidebook produced by Poisson et al. 2012.

Posters for purse-seine fishers to illustrate “best practices” for handling and releasing sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles that are incidentally caught. The posters are based on the best practices for bycatch-handling guidebook produced by Poisson et al. 2012.

Posters for purse-seine fishers to illustrate “best practices” for handling and releasing sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles that are incidentally caught. The posters are based on the best practices for bycatch-handling guidebook produced by Poisson et al. 2012.