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South Pacific Swordfish Fishery (Two Spanish vessels landing in Peru):Preliminary assessment to the MSC standard, November 2017

This document provides the 2018 results and 2019 updates for a preliminary assessment of the South Pacific swordfish fishery for two Spanish vessels landing in Peru to the standard for sustainable fisheries published by the Marine Stewardship Council.

This is an assessment document and resource for the Fishery Improvement Project hosted by Confremar Group of Spain by the Sustainability Incubator of Honolulu, USA.

With gratitude, we acknowledge the WCPFC, IATTC EU, IMARPE, and the MSC certified Australia’s Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery for information helpful to assessing the fishery.

Update for 2019: At the 15 th Regular Session of the WCPFC in December 2018, Australia noted the scientific advice and recommendation by SC13, which was confirmed by SC14, on the need for stronger management of South Pacific swordfish, including development of appropriate management measures for the area north of 20°S. Australia stated they would explore further options for improved management of the South Pacific swordfish and would submit recommendations to SC15 and TCC15 in 2019, avoiding disproportionate impact on SIDS.

Summary of Recommendations for Fishery Improvements

Action is needed in several places to raise the fishery to the level of the MSC standard. In 2019 the FIP will focus on improving the fishery’s impacts on sharks.

Actions planned for 2019 are updated but not different than 2018 because there was no change in scientific advice and management measures for South Pacific swordfish in December 2018.

Scoring table with results from the pre-assessment to the MSC standard 2

Principle 1 results 7



References 34

1

https://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/15th-regular-session-wcpfc


Fishery Background

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) occur throughout the Pacific Ocean between about 50°N and 50°S. They are caught mostly by the longline fisheries of Far East and Western Hemisphere nations. Lesser amounts are taken by gillnet and harpoon fisheries. They are seldom caught by recreational fishermen. Swordfish grow in length very rapidly, with both males and the faster-growing females reaching lower-jaw-fork lengths of more than a meter during their first year. Swordfish begin reaching maturity at about two years of age, when they are about 150 to 170 cm in length, and by age four all are mature. They probably spawn more than once per season. For fish greater than 170 cm in length, the proportion of females increases with increasing length. Swordfish tend to inhabit waters further below the surface during the day than at night, and they tend to inhabit frontal zones. Many occur in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO), including areas off California and Baja California, off Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, and in the equatorial Pacific. Swordfish tolerate temperatures of about 5° to 27°C, but their optimum range is about 18° to 22°C, and larvae have been found only at temperatures exceeding 24°C.

The stock structure of swordfish

2019 score increase for 2.3.2 from 60 to 80 due to the adoption of WCPFC CMM-2018-03 for seabirds to at the 15th regular session of the WCPFC, Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabird add hook-shielding devices south of 30°S, and required use of seabird mitigation measures in the area 30°S to 25°S.

The Commission also agreed to adopt CMM 2018-04 Conservation and Management Measure for Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles, after it was introduced by USA.

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in the Pacific is fairly well known. A number of specific regions of spawning are known, and analyses of fisheries and genetic data indicate that there is only limited exchange of swordfish between geographical areas, including between the eastern and western, and the northern and southern, Pacific Ocean. The best available scientific information from genetic and fishery data indicate that the swordfish of the northeastern Pacific Ocean (NEPO) and the southeastern Pacific Ocean (SEPO: south of about 5°S) constitute two distinct stocks. Also, there may be occasional movement of a northwestern Pacific stock of swordfish into the EPO at various times. Though assessments of eastern Pacific stocks did not include parameters for movements among these or other stocks, there may be limited exchange of fish among them, whereby longline effort has steadily increased from 111 million hooks in 2008 to 223 million hooks in 2015. Spawning females were not detected, suggesting that the spawning of the female swordfish is more rare or sporadic in eastern areas of the Oceans probably because of the more favourable thermal surface layer structure in westerns areas (Mejuto and Garcia-Cortes 2004). Farley et al (2016) note a fundamental uncertainty in population connectivity which should be resolved in future stock assessment for Southwest Pacific swordfish.

Distant water longline vessels from Spain entered the South Pacific longline fishery in 2004. Spanish longline catches represent 1% of total WCP longline catches but 22% of reported swordfish catches for the same area (Megapesca 2009). Spain also declares catches in the area overlapping between WCPCF and IATTC. The total catches reported in this particular rectangle were of 1,150 tonnes in 2007 and 4,200 tonnes in 2008 for all species, including 517 tonnes and 2,280 tonnes of swordfish for 2007 and 2008 respectively. The catch limit of 3107 tonnes (CMM-2008-05) was replaced with a 14-vessel limit in 2009 (CMM-2009-03) and an assumption that fishing effort would stay the same. However, swordfish catches in the area by other distant water fleets continued to increase steadily (Figure 68). The results of scientific information collected by research projects for monitoring the longline fishing activity of surface of swordfish in the regions fished by Spain’s 17 vessels in the South Pacific in 2003 and 2004, when the total catches per year were 5,629t and 5,913 t, respectively. The total fishes sampled were 19,044 and 22,517 individuals, who representing 18% of the total catch years for this fleet in that area and the coverage of effort was 57.3% (Mejuto and Garcia-Cortes 2004).

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Spanish longline vessels fishing for swordfish 15-45 degrees South land in Peru and Chile.

Based on four percent of hooks observed, bycatch of animals in the fishery was typical in diversity but comparatively low for longline vessels. The fishery had an interaction rate of 0.04 birds/1000 hooks for seabirds with longline gear and the mortality attributed to the Spanish fleet of longline vessels fishing for swordfish has been estimated at 260 birds/year (Anderson 2008).

The EU longliner fleet represents a small part of the overall longline fleet in the region. It began its activities in 2003, when around 15 surface longliners expanded their fishing grounds towards the central Pacific, as an alternative to their traditional areas of activity in the eastern Pacific off Peru and Chile. Their interest subsequently faded, and the number of vessels declined to four in

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2011. The four vessels are Spanish-flagged, based in Peru, though they may make port calls and tranship catch in French Polynesia and occasionally in New Zealand. They have been reported to target swordfish and shark (44% and 49% of the catches respectively). EU longliners’ catches, partially processed onboard, are either landed in the region (French Polynesia, New Zealand) or in Peru, or otherwise transhipped to Spain (Popescu 2016).

Two vessels from the Spanish fleet which land their product in Peru for the Confremar Group of Spain are participating in a Fishery Improvement Project hosted by the Confremar Group. The Sustainability Incubator of Honolulu USA is the Secretariat for the project.

Swordfish Catch levels to 2015

5

http://fish.gov.au/report/71-Swordfish-2016?jurisdictionId=1


Results from the Preliminary Assessment of the Fishery to the MSC Standard

1.1.1 Stock status

80 The South Pacific stock is highly likely to be above PRI and fluctuating around MSY.

Update for 2019: No change in assessment at WCPFC SC 14 from SC 13 or decisions for 2019.

Although considered to be a single biological stock, two sub-stocks are currently assessed in the Pacific Ocean, the South-west Pacific stock and the North Pacific stock. The assessments are undertaken for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). They take into account information from all jurisdictions. The 2017 assessment is the most recent and it was adopted at the 13th session of the WCPFC Scientific Committee (final report not published yet).

Based on the uncertainty grid adopted by SC13, the south-west Pacific swordfish spawning biomass is likely above the 20%SB F=0, biomass LRP adopted for tunas and the SB MSY level (noting that the Commission has yet to adopted an LRP for south Pacific swordfish) and it is highly likely that the stock is not in an overfished condition (0% probability). Recent F is likely below F MSY, and it appears that the stock is not experiencing overfishing (32% probabilityof overfishing).

SC13 noted that the longline-only nature of the fishery catching mainly larger, older swordfish, is not strongly informative with regards to recruitment dynamics.

Based on the previous assessment (in the current harvest strategy) there is significant uncertainty around the growth and maturity schedules for South-west Pacific Ocean Swordfish and two alternate growth and maturity

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schedules (Hawaiian and Australian) were used to represent this uncertainty. The assessment models selected across both schedules estimated that current (2007–10) spawning biomass of the Swordfish management unit ranged from 27–55 per cent of initial unfished spawning biomass and was above the level that would produce MSY (115–254 per cent of the spawning biomass at MSY) (WCPFC 2013). The management unit is therefore not considered to be recruitment overfished (Larcombe et al 2016).

For reference, fishing on swordfish in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 2017 is still governed by the IATTC referring to the previous stock assessment for the southwestern Pacific Ocean, which was conducted with Stock Synthesis, using data that were updated as of 22 April 2011. Key results from that assessment were (1) that the swordfish stock in the southeast Pacific Ocean is not experiencing overfishing and is not overfished; (2) that the spawning biomass ratio is about 1.45, indicating that the spawning biomass is about 50 percent above the carrying capacity, and substantially above the level which is expected to produce catch at the MSY level; (3) that the recent catch levels over the past 5 years (26,339 t in 2015) were at levels at about MSY (~25,000 t); and (4) that there has been a recent series of high recruitments to the swordfish stock.

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In the previous assessment, results for fishing mortality differed substantially depending on the alternate growth and mortality schedules. Under the Hawaiian schedule, fishing mortality was estimated to be below the level associated with MSY (40–70 per cent MSY), while under the Australian schedule fishing mortality was estimated to be above the level associated with MSY (106–177 per cent MSY). The WCPFC Scientific Committee was unable to determine which growth schedule was more reliable. The assessment of the current level of fishing pressure is therefore considered to be too uncertain to use for status determination (Larcombe et al 2016).

1.2.1 Harvest strategy

80 The harvest strategy is responsive to the state of the stock and the elements of the harvest strategy work together to achieve the stock management objectives.


-- Design (harvest strategy is responsive to the stock)

SC13 recommends that current restrictions on catches south of 20°S also be maintained. Catch limits were defined in the Conservation and Management Measure for Swordfish (CMM 2008-05) recognizing the need for both IATTC and WCPFC to adopt conservation and management measures to provide for the sustainable management of swordfish stocks across the Pacific Ocean. The EU-Spain catch limit was set at 3107 tonnes (CMM-2008-05) but was replaced with a 14-vessel limit in 2009 (CMM-2009-03), capping Spanish effort in

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the fishery.

The current WCPFC harvest strategy for swordfish is set out in CMM 2009-03 (conservation and management for swordfish), which is set out below:

1. Commission Members, Cooperating Non-Members and participating Territories (CCMs) shall exercise restraint through limiting the number of their fishing vessels for swordfish in the Convention Area south of 20°S, to the number in any one year between the period 2000- 2005 (listed in Annex 1).

2. In addition to vessel limits established under paragraph 1, CCMs shall exercise restraint through limiting the amount of swordfish caught by fishing vessels flagged to them in the Convention Area south of 20°S to the amount caught in any one year during the period 2000 – 2006.

3. CCMs shall not shift their fishing effort for swordfish to the area north of 20°S, as a result of this measure.

4. No later than 30 April 2010 CCMs shall nominate the maximum total catch of swordfish that it shall continue to be permitted to fish in the area south of 20°S. This amount shall be no more than their maximum verified catch declared to the Commission for any one year in the period 2000-2006.

5. Paragraphs 1 to 4 and paragraph 9 shall not prejudice the legitimate rights and obligations under international law of Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and participating Territory CCMs, in the Convention Area who may wish to pursue a responsible level of development of their own fisheries in the Convention Area.

6. For the purposes of these measures, vessels operated under charter, lease or other similar mechanisms as an integral part of the domestic fleet of a coastal State, shall be considered to be vessels of the host State or Territory. Such charter, lease or other similar mechanism shall be conducted in a manner so as not to charter known IUU vessels.

7. CCMs shall cooperate to protect the long-term sustainability and economic viability of the fisheries for swordfish in the Southwest Pacific, and in particular shall cooperate on research to reduce uncertainty with regard to the status of swordfish stocks.

8. CCMs shall report to the Commission the total number of vessels that fished for swordfish and the total catch of swordfish for the following:

a. Vessels flying their flag anywhere in the Convention Area south of 20°S other than vessels operating under charter, lease or other similar mechanism as part of the domestic fishery of another CCM

b. Vessels operating under charter, lease or other similar mechanism as part of their

domestic fishery south of 20oS

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c. Any other vessels fishing within their waters south of 20°S

This information shall be provided in Part 1 of each CCM’s annual report.

-- Evaluation (harvest strategy is achieving fishery objectives)

According to WCPFC-TCC10-2014-IP06 all the flag states fishing for swordfish in the South Pacific WCPFC Convention Area are complying with the requirements of CMM 2009-03 in relation to both catch and number of vessels. The highest confidence in the harvest strategy for swordfish, because the WCPFC stock assessment framework has been developed with the harvest strategy in mind (ME Certification 2015).

There is no indication of a significant impact of fishing on this stock (IATTC 2017). The previous assessment suggested an expansion of the fishery onto components of the stock that were previously not, or were only lightly, exploited. This has subsequently been shown in a metadata analysis of the EPO longline fishery data, whereby longline effort has steadily increased from 111 million hooks in 2008 to 223 million hooks in 2015 (IATTC 2017).

-- Monitoring (in place to determine if the harvest strategy is working)

According to SC13 there has been an increase in fishing mortality notably from the mid-1990s, and that the biomass relative to unfished levels is estimated to have declined rapidly during the period late-1990s to 2010 followed by a more gradual but continued decline after 2010, across the uncertainty grid. It was noted the fishing mortality was likely below F MSY.

For the Spanish fishery (Fisheries 5 and 12), operational longline data were provided by the Spanish for the years 2004-2011. Significant catches were taken in region 2, peaking in the late 2000s (WCPFC 2013).

Spanish fishery CPUE in region 2: A CPUE index was developed for swordfish caught by Spanish vessels operating in region 2 from 2004 to 2011. Notable problems in using these data for deriving a standardized CPUE index include the lack of operational factors available for standardizing effort (numbers of hooks was not included), and catch was expressed in units of weight (rather than numbers of fish). The CPUE index was standardised relative to latitude and longitude, as the main factor influencing proportions of swordfish within catches (OFP 2012). The resulting CPUE indices are presented in Figure 5. Catch rates generally declined across the time series (WCPFC 2013).

-- Review (harvest strategy is periodically reviewed and improved as necessary)

The harvest strategy was reviewed by the Scientific Committee at SC13 in August 2017 and presented most recently to the fishing countries at the 14th regular session in December 2017.

-- Shark finning (highly likely not taking place)

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At SC13 a proposal for a new CMM for sharks was introduced: SC13-EB-WP-06 Development of a comprehensive shark conservation and management measure for the WCPFC.

Shark species captured include mainly blue shark (Prionace glauca) and shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), which are red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as near-threatened, endangered and vulnerable, respectively. Landings in Peru are governed by the Ministerial Resolution N°2009-2001- PE, which establishes a minimum landing size (MLS) for shark species that varies depending on the gear type used. For long lines the MLS ranges between 150-170 mm depending on the shark species caught. However, management measures are not implemented efficiently (Tresierra, 2007). The minimum landing size may not be enforced in an efficient manner.

-- Review of alternate measures (regular review to minimize mortality of unwanted catch)

Mature swordfish are targeted in the South Pacific by longline fleets.

1.2.2 Harvest control rules and tools

80 Well defined harvest control rules are in place for the fishery (14 vessel limit and CMMs).


-- Design and application

Fishing on the Southwest Pacific swordfish stock is managed with binding reference points set by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, not yet including a limit reference point. (See 1.1.1 stock status section)

-- Robust to uncertainty

The new 2017 stock assessment was presented at SC13 with updated model assumptions:

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-- Evaluation

At SC13 the Secretariat for the Pacific Community introduced SC13-MI-WP-04 Developments in the MSE modelling framework, which presented an account of recent developments in the construction of the MSE framework for WCPFC stocks and fisheries and focused primarily on some of the technical issues related to the development of the modelling framework.

1.2.3 Information and monitoring

75 Sufficient relevant and accurate information is available to support the harvest strategy however the Spanish longline fishery could improve its submission of catch and data to lower uncertainty in the stock assessment results.


-- Range of information

Information concerning the stock structure, productivity, fleet and catch composition are maintained by the WCPFC to support the management of the stock at a sustainable level (See 1.1.1 Stock status).

The WCPFC is trialing E-Monitoring and a Bycatch Data Exchange Protocol (SPC 2017).

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-- Monitoring

The fishing activity of all fleets is monitored and reported on at the stock level. CMM-2008-05 for swordfish requires that “CCMs shall cooperate to protect the long-term sustainability and economic viability of the fisheries for swordfish in the Southwest Pacific, and in particular shall cooperate on research to reduce uncertainty with regard to the status of swordfish stocks.”.

All CCMs with fleets active in the WCPFC Convention Area provided 2016 annual catch estimates by deadline of the 30th April 2017, a significant achievement (SPC 2017). Major data gaps were identified for Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam longline fleets. Deficient data on catch in number for the EU-Spain longline fleet was identified by the SPC (for WCPFC) as one of three data gaps in operational catch/effort data for 2015 (SPC 2017).

This deficiency was pointed out at SC 12 in a summary report presented catch and effort data collected by the fisheries on the South Pacific stock of swordfish (Williams 2016) and again in 2017 (SPC 2017).

-- Comprehensiveness

Mortality of swordfish due to commercial fishing is tracked by the WCPFC on behalf of the member countries of the WCPFC and IATTC, including Spain and the other fleets fishing swordfish in the same general area as Spain.

CMM 2008-05 for swordfish requires that CCMs shall report to the Commission the total number of vessels that fished for swordfish and the total catch of swordfish for the following: a. vessels flying their flag anywhere in the Convention Area south of 20°S other than vessels operating under charter, lease or other similar mechanism as part of the domestic fishery of another CCM; b. vessels operating under charter, lease or other similar mechanism as part of their domestic fishery south of 20oS; and c. any other vessels fishing within their waters south of 20°S.

1.2.4 Assessment of stock status

80 The assessment is appropriate for the stock and for the harvest control rule.


-- Appropriateness to stock

The South Pacific swordfish stock is assessed by the WCPFC with the same model and approach as the tropical tunas.

The assessment uses the integrated stock assessment model known as MULTIFAN-CL. MULTIFAN-CL allows the user to develop a statistical model for fisheries stock assessment, which is age-structured but length-based – i.e. the population dynamics are disaggregated by age, but the model objective function includes a term for the quality of fit between predicted and

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observed length-frequency data (or weight frequency data). This is more realistic than attempting to estimate age from length outside of the model (i.e. because it admits that the age of large fish is highly uncertain). Two other features of interest in MULTIFAN-CL are that it allows variability in catchability over time, as well as spatial structuring as described in the previous sections.

Multifan-CL is an integrated statistical modelling framework that estimates parameters and derived population states by optimizing an objective function consisting of likelihood components (fitting model predictions and observations), prior probability distributions (expert judgement) and constraining penalties. There is a large degree of flexibility as to which model components are fixed or estimated (including biological parameters, fishery characteristics and variances).

Management advice is based on results from 72 models of a structural uncertainty grid. The uncertainty range around current reference points was presented at SC13 (summarized above in table SW02).

-- Approach

The stock assessment describes stock status relative to reference points appropriate to this species (see SWO2 above).

SC13 reached consensus on the weighting of assessment models in the uncertainty grid for SWO. The consensus weighting considered all options within the four axes of uncertainty for steepness, size data, diffusion rate and natural mortality to be equally likely. The resulting uncertainty grid was used to characterize stock status, to summarize reference points as provided in the assessment document SC13- SA-WP-13, and to calculate the probability of breaching SB MSY and the probability of F recent being greater than F MSY.

-- Uncertainty

There is uncertainty in the results of the current stock assessment and it is taken into account in the conclusions of the assessment. This uncertainty arises from several factors. Two are data deficiencies on fishing impacts and lack of a perfect representation of the observed data to the population of

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swordfish in the South Pacific.

Concerning the first factor, the key standardised CPUE indices for the 2013 assessment were:

• Japanese longline fishery, IC, 1952-2011

• Taiwanese longline fishery, 2C, 1967-2003

• ETBF fishery, Region 1, 1997-2011

• New Zealand longline, Region 2, 1993-2011

• Spanish longline, Region 2, 2004-2011

CPUE for the Spanish fishery was difficult to standardise below of missing elements in the operational data on effort, including number of hooks, and because catch is reported by weight rather than number, as for the other fisheries. It was standardised based on latitude and longitude.

Regarding the second factor, the stock assessment model, as an amalgam of many model runs (72) may not perfectly represent the dynamics of the swordfish population or of the fisheries that operate in the EPO (model uncertainty). Uncertainty is expressed as approximate confidence intervals and CVs. The confidence intervals and CVs have been estimated under the assumption that the stock assessment model does perfectly represent the dynamics of the system. Since it is unlikely that this assumption is satisfied, these values may underestimate the amount of uncertainty in the results of the current assessment.

The median values of relative recent (2012-2015) spawning biomass (SB recent/SB MSY) and relative recent fishing mortality (F recent/F MSY) over the uncertainty grid were used to measure the central tendency of stock status. The values of the upper 90th and lower 10th percentiles of the empirical distributions of relative spawning biomass and relative fishing mortality from the uncertainty grid were used to characterize the probable range of stock status.

-- Evaluation and Peer Review

Alternative approaches have been explored and the swordfish assessment is subject to peer review through the regular process for tropical tunas of the Scientific Committee.

Principle 2 Results

2.1.1 Primary species outcome

60-80 The main primary species are likely to be above PRI but abundance needs clarification.

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Update for 2019: No change in assessment at WCPFC SC 14 from SC 13 or decisions for 2019 for swordfish, blue sharks or shortfin mako sharks.

-- Main primary species

Longline vessels fish set their gear set shallow to target swordfish. The primary species caught alongside swordfish are blue sharks and shortfin mako sharks.

The Spanish vessels in this fishery land in Peru, which is the top shark-fishing nation in the South-east Pacific (Fischer et al. 2012). Blue and mako, P. glauca and I. oxyrinchus, are the most landed shark species in Peru (Gonzalez-Pestana et al. 2014) although artisanal longline fisheries are the principal harvesters (Gilman et al. 2007). P. glauca is the most commonly caught species of pelagic shark (Clarke etal. 2006, FAO 2011) mainly as by-catch of pelagic longline fisheries (Campana et al. 2006).

Bait species, either obtained from other fisheries or caught during fishing trips are assessed as retained species in the MSC methodology. Squid and mackerel are used as bait and caught or purchased from other vessels. The volume of species used as bait is significantly small (likely below 5% of the total fishery catch) and the impact of the fishery.

-- Main primary species stock status

The last stock assessment for blue shark in South Pacific was in 2016. South Pacific shortfin mako shark is addressed in SC13-SA-IP-13 Updated abundance indicators for New Zealand blue, porbeagle and shortfin mako shark, which was submitted to SC13 (but not yet in the public domain). Additionally, shortfin mako has undergone level 2 ecological risk assessment by Australia (ME certification 2015).

Squid D. gigas has low inherent vulnerability, but its abundance is highly variable and appears linked to environmental conditions. The stock is not considered depleted and fishing effort in Chile and Peru does not exceed recommended levels. The unavailability of Chinese fishing statistics makes true fishing mortality difficult to evaluate (Seafood Watch 2015). The fleet may also utilize New Zealand arrow squid (Nototodarus sloanii and N.gouldi).

2.1.2 Primary species management strategy

60-80 Swordfish is managed with a strategy (CMM-2009-03) and shark has a partial strategy.


Shark: The last stock assessment for South Pacific blue shark was in 2016. SC13 did not receive updated information. Therefore, the stock status description from SC12 remains valid. One paper, SC13-SA-IP-13 Updated abundance indicators for New Zealand blue, porbeagle and shortfin mako shark, was submitted under this item to SC13. In addition, there was a

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http://www.seafoodwatch.org/-/m/sfw/pdf/reports/s/mba_seafoodwatch_squid_humboldt_jumbo_south_america_report.pdf


presentation and discussion regarding which shark species are SSI and why; in particular, silky, oceanic whitetip and whale shark on the basis of no-retention conservation and management measures (CMMs 2011-04, 2012-04 and 2013-08), and manta and mobulid (devil) rays on the basis of a Commission decision requiring a greater degree of observer data collection.

In addition to management on the high seas by the WCPFC and IATTC, there is a management measure in place for shark species in Peru. The Ministerial Resolution N°2009-2001- PE, which establishes a minimum landing size (MLS) for shark species that varies depending on the gear type used. For long lines the MLS ranges between 150-170 mm depending on the shark species caught.

-- Evaluation

Shark: A 10 yr data series revealed declining annual landings since 2012, despite no changes in management structures (Adams et al 2015). Management measures are not implemented efficiently (Tresierra, 2007). The minimum landing size is not enforced in an efficient manner and the awareness among fishers of the measure is low (WWF pre-assessment for mahi 2012).

-- Implementation and review of alternative measures

Shark fishing is governed by the vessel limit and CMM-2010-07 for sharks. Currently a review is underway towards consideration of a new CMM.

NEW FOR 2019: At SC14 a paper was presented comparing the catchability of sharks and other bycatch species based on the size of circle hooks utilized in fishing (Bigelow and Swimmer, 2018, WCPFC SC14, see https://www.wcpfc.int/node/31048). The results are of interest to the FIP for possible improvements planning. They showed there were numerous species that were not affected by hook sizes, including two bycatch shark species, oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and silky shark (C. falciformis). Of the eight species of bycatch, catchability was higher on larger hooks only for blue shark (Prionace glauca). There was a significant decrease in catchability between 14/0 and larger hooks for five bycatch species, including shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), bigeye thresher (Alopias superciliosus), and pelagic stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea).

2.1.3 Primary species information

80 Some quantitative information is available and adequate to assess the fishery’s impact on sharks.


-- Adequacy for assessing impact on main primary species

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https://www.wcpfc.int/node/31048

http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2016/31/n031p019.pdf


Blue shark is assessed formally in the WCPFC, last in 2016. At SC13, S. Clarke presented SC13-EB-WP-06 Development of a comprehensive shark conservation and management measure for the WCPFC, which responded to WCPFC13’s tasking of the Scientific Committee and the Technical and Compliance Committee, with the support of the Secretariat, to work towards the development of a comprehensive approach to shark and ray conservation and management for adoption at WCPFC15.

2.2.1 Secondary species outcome

60-80 Most secondary species are well understood and status is stable for some species.

Secondary species

Striped marlin, mahi mahi, and squid as a bait species are the major secondary species in the fishery.

Update for 2019: Striped marlin A proposal was made at the 15th session of the WCPFC in December 2018 to split the Pacific striped marlin stock into northern and southern stocks for better management. The Commission noted that it was unable to agree on the designation of North Pacific striped marlin as a northern stock. The Commission acknowledged that North Pacific striped marlin is experiencing overfishing and is overfished and notes that the ISC work plan for 2018-19 includes completing a benchmark North Pacific striped marlin assessment which will be presented to SC15. No change. (WCPFC 2018, Summary of the 15 th Regular Session).

Mahi Mahi: At the 15th regular session of the WCPFC no updates or decisions were made for mahi mahi. The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Foundation asked the WCPFC members to (i) ensure all fishery participants are immediately required to provide catch and effort data for this species; (ii) instruct SC to develop an appropriate stock assessment within the next three years; and (iii) in advance of the delivery of the stock assessment, define precautionary management measures based on the results of the productivity-susceptibility analysis reported in WCPFC–SC2–2006/EB WP–1.

Squid: At the 15th regular session of the WCPFC no updates or decisions were made for squid.

---The southwest Pacific striped marlin assessment results indicate that the stock is fully exploited, and is not experiencing overfishing but may be approaching an overfished status (SC8). There may be significant differences between the status of the stock in the eastern and western portions of the South Pacific, according to the 2012 assessment, which cites an assessment of striped marlin for the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) which concluded that the stock was under-exploited (Hinton and Maunder 2004) and also an assessment for the western and central north Pacific striped marlin concluded that the stock was being over-fished and current spawning biomass was in an over-fished state (Brodziak et al. 2012). The 2012 stock assessment concluded that current levels of catch are below MSY but are approaching MSY at the recent [low] levels of

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recruitment estimated for the last four decades, the F current / F msy is 0.58 and overfishing is not occurring, however recent trends in the spawning biomass indicate the fishery could be approaching an overfished state (Davies et al 2012). Recently at SC13, the stock status descriptions from SC8 for Southwest Pacific striped marlin were noted as still current.

It is not clear whether squid caught by longline fishers is managed actively, however squid is well studied at the stock level. Squid’s role in the food web was recently investigated.

Jack mackerel might also be caught and retained as bait (need to check into this with the vessels). The weight of bait used is below 5% of the overall catch and therefore they are not considered as minor retained species. Peru has a purse seine fishery for jack mackerel so it is managed and “primary”.

-- Adequacy for management

Striped marlin and mahi mahi are managed by the RFMOs with formal stock assessment (acknowledging mahi mahi assessment is in development) and a CMM:

CMM 2006-04 Conservation and Management Measure For Striped Marlin in the Southwest Pacific

Squid catches are managed by IMARPE in Peru. In Peru, the jack mackerel and Pacific mackerel fishery, which may also supply bait for swordfish, are the effect of legal rule D.S. 001-

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https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2006-04/conservation-and-management-measure-striped-marlin-southwest-pacific

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2006-04/conservation-and-management-measure-striped-marlin-southwest-pacific

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0085919


2002 (06-09-2002) that established the exclusive use of these species for direct human consumption, in the purse seine fleet. Good research on the management of mackerel but more information is needed on current impacts of the bait fishery. See IMARPE 2009.

2.2.2 Secondary species management strategy

70 There are measures in place to maintain or not hinder rebuilding of main secondary species and ensure the fishing does not hinder recovery.

Update for 2019: At the 15th regular session of the WCPFC there were no updates to assessment results or decisions for these species for 2019.

The longline fishery for swordfish encounters striped marlin, mahi mahi and other shallow swimming pelagic species. Squid are used for bait. Striped marlin is managed by reference points, see the 2012 stock assessment (Davies et al 2012).

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, mahi mahi (dorado) is in the process of a shift in management strategy toward reference points. Formal stock assessment is predicted for 2018/9 by the IATTC. In the meantime, recent dorado catches are managed by MSY estimates. Currently they are near MSY estimates and YPR analyses show that the yield curve is very flat. The fishing mortality required to achieve MSY is poorly defined (IATTC 2016).

For squid, regular stock assessments are conducted in Peru and management measures are in place by IMARPE and its regional branches. IMARPE has a well-established onboard observer program to monitor discards and bycatch (PRODUCE 2012a). Peru is a signatory to most major treaties and a cooperating non-member of the SPRFMO (Seafood Watch 2015).

2.2.3 Secondary species information

70 Quantitative information is available and adequate to assess the fishery’s impact on main secondary species with respect to status.

Update for 2019: At the 15th regular session of the WCPFC there were no updates to assessment results or decisions for these species for 2019.

-- Adequacy for assessment of impact on main secondary species

Four Spanish vessels in the South Pacific swordfish fishery contribute logbook data to and abide by the CMMs of the WCPFC in order to aid management of the fishing impact on main secondary species. The small footprint of the fishery in this FIP (2 vessels) does not have a significant impact on the species at the population level.

20

http://www.seafoodwatch.org/-/m/sfw/pdf/reports/s/mba_seafoodwatch_squid_humboldt_jumbo_south_america_report.pdf

https://www.iattc.org/Meetings/Meetings2016/SAC7/PDFfiles/SAC-07-06a(i)-Dorado-assessment-DRAFT-10-MAY-16.pdf

http://www.imarpe.gob.pe/imarpe/archivos/reportes/imarpe_injure_peru_natio_rep_auckland_swg_fin_311009.pdf

http://www.imarpe.gob.pe/imarpe/archivos/reportes/imarpe_injure_peru_natio_rep_auckland_swg_fin_311009.pdf


Again, striped marlin and squid are managed on the basis of stock status and formal stock assessment while stock assessment for mahi mahi is in development. Currently, some information is available and adequate to understand the impact of the fishery relative to mahi mahi status. The IATTC scientific advisory committee has developed a modelling approach for dorado based on work done previously by Maunder (2014) and Maunder et al.(2015) for MSE research. A first step was taken by IATTC in 2016 into a process of evaluating the utility of MSE for dorado. One of most important components of the MSE process is the construction of simulation models, called operating models, that describe potential past and future scenarios for the dynamics of the stock and the fishery and include key uncertainties. So, a process toward the formal management of dorado catches in the EPO is underway.

Dosidicus gigas is an ommastrephid squid, subfamily Ommastrephinae. The species is restricted to the Eastern Pacific, historically ranging between subtropical North and South America with temporary excursions to the north and south (Nigmatullin, et al. 2001). In the past few decades, it has also become a common presence off the coast of southern Chile and the West Coast of the United States, extending as far north as Alaska (Keyl et al. 2008) (Zeidberg and Robison 2007). The species is capable of traveling ≈30km/day and undergoes daily vertical migrations, spending the day below 250m and ascending nearly to the surface at dusk, while periodically diving below 300m (Gilly et al 2006). As with other ommastrephids, D. gigas has a lifespan of 1–2 years (Argüelles, et al. 2001). Rapidly reaching mantle lengths of 1.2m and weights of 50kg, it is the largest nektonic squid, though individuals vary in size (Nigmatullin, et al. 2001). The species is semelparous and highly fertile, with year-round reproduction typically producing two cohorts a year (autumn/winter and spring/summer hatchings) (Argüelles, et al 2001), but little else is known about its reproductive biology. Environmental conditions appear to have a large influence on recruitment (Rodhouse 2001). D. gigas feeds on a variety of small pelagic and demersal fishes, crustaceans, and squids, and in some cases also targeting larger, economically important species such as hake (Alarcó-Muñoz, et al. 2008) (Field, et al. 2007) (Markaida and Sosa-Nishizaki 2003). Primary predators are tuna, billfish, sharks, pinnipeds, and toothed whales (Nigmatullin, et al. 2001) (Field, et al. 2007). Cannibalism is widely observed but likely overreported (Ibáñez, et al. 2008). Globally, D. gigas constitutes the world’s largest cephalopod fishery (2014).

2.3.1 ETP species outcome

60-80 The effects of the fishing on the populations of ETP species are known and likely to be within agreed limits. Species interactions will be addressed in the FIP.

Update for 2019: At the 15th regular session of the WCPFC the Commission agreed to adopt CMM 2018-03 Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds after New Zealand introduced WCPFC15-2018-DP16: Seabird Interaction Mitigation: Amendment of CMM 2017-06 and a consensus was agreed in plenary. The amendments would add hook-shielding devices to the list of acceptable measures to reduce seabird bycatch south of 30°S, and add a requirement to require the use of seabird mitigation measures in the area 30°S to 25°S. The Commission agreed to adopt CMM 2018-03

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https://www.iattc.org/Meetings/Meetings2016/SAC7/PDFfiles/SAC-07-06a(ii)-MSE-for-dorado.pdf




Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds. This is an important area to look into improvements in the FIP in 2019.

This adds to CMM-2010-07 for shark conservation and in a variety of measures for turtles.

The long line fishery interacts with a number of species that are recognized by national legislation in Peru (DSN°- 034-2004-AG) or binding international agreements (e.g. ACAP, IAC, CITES). The Decreto DSN°-034- 2004-AG prohibits the capture of the following bird and turtle species: Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata), Chattam Albatross (Thalassarche eremita), Galapagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaepygia), Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), and Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Marine mammals have been banned by national legislation from capture since the mid-1990s (DS N° 002-96-PE) and therefore also classified as ETP species.

Peru is signatory to a number of international conventions for the conservation and management of ETP species. The Agreement for the Conservation of the Albatross and Petrels (ACAP), the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), and the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) provide the framework for the development of specific management strategies for the conservation of ETP species.

The catch per unit effort (CPUE) has been estimated for swordfish and longline fisheries In the Western Pacific.

Table 9. Average CPUE (numbers per 1,000 hooks) per trip and CPUE standard deviation for selected species caught by longline, by year for 2013-2015, for the WCPFC Area south of 10°S.

The status of species affected by South Pacific longline fishing has also been assessed by Australia (ME Certification 2015). Note that not all of these species have interactions with the swordfish fishery, which fishes far more shallowly than the tuna fisheries, and the information is

22


presented for a general idea of catch composition in longline fisheries in the South Pacific.

23


24


25


2.3.2 ETP species management strategy

60 There are measures in place that minimize fishing mortality that are highly likely to achieve existing requirements.

Update for 2019: Score change to 80 in light of new CMMs for seabirds and turtles.

Update for 2019: At the 15th regular session of the WCPFC the Commission agreed to adopt CMM 2018-03 Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds after New Zealand introduced WCPFC15-2018-DP16: Seabird Interaction Mitigation: Amendment of CMM 2017-06 and a consensus was agreed in plenary. The amendments would add hook-shielding devices to the list of acceptable measures to reduce seabird bycatch south of 30°S, and add a requirement to require the use of seabird mitigation measures in the area 30°S to 25°S. The Commission agreed to adopt CMM 2018-03 Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds. This is an important area to look into improvements in the FIP in 2019.

The Commission also agreed to adopt CMM 2018-04 Conservation and Management Measure for Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles, after it was introduced by USA.

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-- In place (ntl/intl, alternative)

Swordfish (and shark) fishing are governed by the WCPFC and Spain as a member country is obliged to abide with the conservation and management measures concerning ETP species, including other agreements. CMMs 2010-07, 2011-04, 2012-04 and 2013-08 pertain to shark like species conservation, including rays and porbeagles. These measures may be consolidated and efforts are underway to strengthen observer data. At SC13 a proposal was made entitled SC13-EB-WP-06 Development of a comprehensive shark conservation and management measure for the WCPFC.

Other relevant CMMs are:

New:

CMM 2018 03 on mitigating impacts to seabirds

CMM 2018 04 on conservation and management of sea turtles

CMM 2017-06

Conservation and Management Measure to mitigate the impact of fishing for highly migratory fish stocks on seabirds

CMM 2015-03

Conservation and Management Measure for Mitigating Impacts of Fishing on Seabirds

CMM 2008-03 Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles

suppl_CMM 2008-03 WCPFC Guidelines for the Handling of Sea Turtles

Detailed agreements on capture of ETP species are also spelled out in other national legislation in Peru and binding international agreements (e.g. ACAP, IAC, CITES).

Landing shark in Peru, the management measure in place for shark species is the Ministerial Resolution N°2009-2001- PE, which establishes a minimum landing size (MLS) for shark species that varies depending on the gear type used. For long lines the MLS ranges between 150-170 mm depending on the shark species caught. However, management measures are not implemented efficiently (Tresierra, 2007). The minimum landing size is not enforced in an efficient manner and the awareness among fishers of the measure is low.

The Decreto DSN°-034- 2004-AG prohibits the capture of the following bird and turtle species: Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata), Chattam Albatross (Thalassarche eremita), Galapagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaepygia), Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Loggerhead sea

27

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/supplcmm-2008-03/wcpfc-guidelines-handling-sea-turtles

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2008-03/conservation-and-management-sea-turtles

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2015-03/conservation-and-management-measure-mitigating-impacts-fishing-seabirds

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2015-03/conservation-and-management-measure-mitigating-impacts-fishing-seabirds

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2017-06/conservation-and-management-measure-mitigate-impact-fishing-highly-migratory-fish

https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2017-06/conservation-and-management-measure-mitigate-impact-fishing-highly-migratory-fish


turtle (Caretta caretta), Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), and Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Marine mammals have been banned by national legislation from capture since the mid-1990s (DS N° 002-96-PE) and therefore also classified as ETP species.

Peru is signatory to a number of international conventions for the conservation and management of ETP species. The Agreement for the Conservation of the Albatross and Petrels (ACAP), the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), and the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) provide the framework for the development of specific management strategies for the conservation of ETP species.

-- Evaluation

A 10 yr data series revealed declining annual landings for sharks in Peru since 2012, despite no changes in management structures (Adams et al 2015), reducing confidence the management structures are working.

-- Implementation

Logbook and observer data show the capture of ETP species and interactions with longline gear.

-- Review of alternative measures to minimize mortality of ETP species

WCPO assessments have demonstrated the need for shark mortality reductions, these are not yet being delivered by the WCPFC CMMs (Clarke 2013).

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is required by its Convention to assess and manage impacts to non‐target species and species associated with tuna stocks. Elasmobranch fishes (sharks and rays; referred to as “sharks” in this paper) are among the most frequently encountered and vulnerable of these non‐target species, and their status is increasingly generating concern among both scientists and the wider public. With the initiation of its Shark Research Plan (SRP) (Clarke and Harley 2010), the WCPFC initiated a comprehensive and proactive shark assessment programme involving both stock assessments and other analyses of existing data (Kirby and Molony 2006; Kirby and Hobday 2007; Manning et al. 2009; Clarke 2011; Clarke et al. 2011a, 2011b, 2013; SPC‐OFP 2012a, 2012b; Rice and Harley 2012a, 2012b, 2013a, 2013b; Rice et al. 2013). These analyses have informed the cornerstone WCPFC shark Conservation and Management Measure (CMM 2006‐05, now CMM 2010‐07), as well as led to new CMMs for oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus, CMM 2011‐04) and whale sharks (Rhincodon typus, CMM 2012‐04). A stock assessment for oceanic whitetip sharks was produced in 2012 (Rice and Harley 2012a) and stock assessments for silky (C. falciformis) and blue sharks (Prionace glauca) will be presented in 2013 (Rice and Harley 2013a, Rice et al. 2013). In parallel with these WCPFC‐led shark activities there have been a number of other developments in shark conservation and management in the region. Some WCPFC members, participating territories and cooperating non‐members (CCMs) have instituted shark catch limits, required discarding of any sharks whether dead or alive, and/or banned the use of wire leaders in

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http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2016/31/n031p019.pdf


longline fisheries (Clarke 2013).

A review of findings, guidance and recommendations, and alternate measures will be completed in the FIP.

2.3.3 ETP species information

60-80 (good information available to show fishing impacts on ETP species)

Update for 2019: No change in information.

-- Adequacy for assessment of impacts

The shark research plan of the WCPFC includes a review of assessment protocols for impact. Shelley Clarke leads this program at the Secretariat for the Pacific Community and at SC13 she introduced a proposal for a new consolidated CMM for sharks which would improve and consolidate data capture. Martin Hall at the IATTC has conducted a body of research on ETP shark impacts from fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Similarly there is a body of research available for sea birds. Eric Gilman has produced a large body of work on longline impacts to ETP species.

The research on ETP species affected by longline fisheries in the South Pacific Ocean will be compiled in the FIP.

Research initiatives for the conservation of sea turtles are in place and information is sufficient to determine that the fishery may be a threat to the protection and recovery of sea turtle species. A number of studies have been carried out to quantitatively estimate sea turtle mortality (IMARPE, 2011) and it is recognized among management authorities the need for protection of sea turtles and the risk that long lining poses to the conservation status of these species.

-- Adequacy for management strategy

Inadequate, because despite research initiatives and studies carried out to estimate mortality rates, there is not a regular monitoring program designed to inform management on fisheries-related mortality.

2.4.1 Habitats outcome

80 This is a pelagic fishery in the water column that does not impact the seabed.

Update for 2019: No change in outcomes reported. Still a pelagic open ocean water fishery.

-- Commonly encountered habitat status

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The pelagic fishery is largely without habitat interactions beyond lost lines and gear.

-- VME habitat status

No VMEs defined

-- Minor habitat status

N/A

2.4.2 Habitats management strategy

80 The strategy is to fish in the water column only, posing little to nil risk to habitat.

Update for 2019: No change in strategy.

-- In place

Longline fishing is conducted with floating gear which does not interact with terrestrial habitat only the water column.

-- Evaluation

N/A

-- Implementation

N/A

-- Compliance with management and other fisheries requirements

N/A

2.4.3 Habitats information

80 New research is improving knowledge of the nature, distribution and vulnerability of the open ocean water column.

Update for 2019: No change in information.

-- Information quality

Jeff Polovina’s pelagic fisheries group is producing a body of work on the “habitat” of the open ocean water column in the Pacific Ocean for pelagic fish, for example Choy et al (2016).

30


-- Information adequacy for assessment of impacts

N/A

-- Monitoring

N/A

2.5.1 Ecosystem outcome

80 At two vessels, the UoA is highly unlikely to disrupt the key elements underlying ecosystem structure and function.

Update for 2019: No change in outcome reported.

-- Ecosystem status

The food web is well characterized and fishing impacts are well understood, see pelagic research by Choy et al (2016), Jeff Polovina’s pelagic research group, and Peruvian research, for example Norza Sior 2015: Alientacion de perico en el Peru. DOR-2-Alimentacion-del-Perico-en-Peru.pdf

2.5.2 Ecosystem management strategy

60-80 There are measures in place but not a strategy to minimize fishing impacts on the ecosystem.

Update for 2019: No change in strategy reported.

No explicit strategy exists, however several fishery scientists are working on marine food webs.

The FIP can help by compiling the research and recommendations on longline fishery impacts to the pelagic ecosystem.

2.5.3 Ecosystem information

60-80 The information is adequate to identify the key elements of the ecosystem.

Update for 2019: No change in information reported.

-- Quality

Food web is well characterized and fishing impacts are well understood. See pelagic research by Choy et al (2016), Jeff Polovina’s pelagic research group, and Peruvian research, for example

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Norza Sior 2015: Alientacion de perico en el Peru. DOR-2-Alimentacion-del-Perico-en-Peru.pdf

“Ecosystem elements” could be described in the FIP to to assist a broadly understanding of them.

Principle 3 Results

3.1.1 Legal and customary framework

80 There is an effective national legal system and organized cooperation with other parties (EU and WCPFC) to deliver the management outcomes.

Update for 2019: No change in legal and customary framework reported.

There is good cooperation across countries fishing on the same stock.

The EU and Spain participate as members in in the WCPFC and follow its requirements and conservation and management measures, which are voted on by all member countries fishing in the convention area. This applies also to fishing for swordfish in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

CMM-2009-03 capped EU-Spain’s effort at 14 vessels who may fish on swordfish in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. Currently four vessels are fishing with this permission.

The EU longliner fleet represents a small part of the overall longline fleet in the region. It began its activities in 2003, when around 15 surface longliners expanded their fishing grounds towards the central Pacific, as an alternative to their traditional areas of activity in the eastern Pacific off Peru and Chile. Their interest subsequently faded, and the number of vessels declined to four in 2011. The four vessels are Spanish-flagged, based in Peru, though they may make port calls and tranship catch in French Polynesia and occasionally in New Zealand. They have been reported to target swordfish and shark (44% and 49% of the catches respectively). EU longliners’ catches, partially processed onboard, are either landed in the region (French Polynesia, New Zealand) or in Peru, or otherwise transhipped to Spain (Popescu 2016).

3.1.2 Consultation, roles and responsibilities

80 Functions, roles and responsibilities are well defined by the WCPFC and EU-Spain.

Update for 2019: No change in functions and roles reported.

Rules of procedure, minutes, and research are available online at wcpfc.int.

3.1.3 Long term objectives

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80 as long-term objectives for swordfish are explicit in CMM-2009-03.

Update for 2019: No change in long-term objectives reported but this could change in 2020 if Australia introduces a proposal later in the year.

The current WCPFC harvest strategy for swordfish is set out in CMM 2009-03 (conservation and management for swordfish), which is set out below:

9. Commission Members, Cooperating Non-Members and participating Territories (CCMs) shall exercise restraint through limiting the number of their fishing vessels for swordfish in the Convention Area south of 20°S, to the number in any one year between the period 2000- 2005 (listed in Annex 1).

10. In addition to vessel limits established under paragraph 1, CCMs shall exercise restraint through limiting the amount of swordfish caught by fishing vessels flagged to them in the Convention Area south of 20°S to the amount caught in any one year during the period 2000 – 2006.

11. CCMs shall not shift their fishing effort for swordfish to the area north of 20°S, as a result of this measure.

12. No later than 30 April 2010 CCMs shall nominate the maximum total catch of swordfish that it shall continue to be permitted to fish in the area south of 20°S. This amount shall be no more than their maximum verified catch declared to the Commission for any one year in the period 2000-2006.

13. Paragraphs 1 to 4 and paragraph 9 shall not prejudice the legitimate rights and obligations under international law of Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and participating Territory CCMs, in the Convention Area who may wish to pursue a responsible level of development of their own fisheries in the Convention Area.

14. For the purposes of these measures, vessels operated under charter, lease or other similar mechanisms as an integral part of the domestic fleet of a coastal State, shall be considered to be vessels of the host State or Territory. Such charter, lease or other similar mechanism shall be conducted in a manner so as not to charter known IUU vessels.

15. CCMs shall cooperate to protect the long-term sustainability and economic viability of the fisheries for swordfish in the Southwest Pacific, and in particular shall cooperate on research to reduce uncertainty with regard to the status of swordfish stocks.

16. CCMs shall report to the Commission the total number of vessels that fished for swordfish and the total catch of swordfish for the following:

a. Vessels flying their flag anywhere in the Convention Area south of 20°S other than vessels operating under charter, lease or other similar mechanism as part of the domestic fishery of another CCM

33


b. Vessels operating under charter, lease or other similar mechanism

as part of their domestic fishery south of 20oS

c. Any other vessels fishing within their waters south of 20°S

This information shall be provided in Part 1 of each CCM’s annual report.

3.2.1 Fishery specific objectives

80 See 3.1.2

Update for 2019: No change in fishery specific objectives reported.

3.2.2 Decision making processes

80 There are established decision-making processes that result in measures and strategies to achieve the fishery-specific objectives through the WCPFC.

Responsiveness, use of precautionary approach, accountability, transparency, and the approach to disputes are incorporated into the management system for swordfish fishing in the South Pacific Ocean.

3.2.3 Compliance and enforcement

60-80 Capacity exists but the extent of compliance is unknown.

Update for 2019: No changes reported.

-- MCS implementation

Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) mechanisms like VMS are required in the fishery, as are contribution of logbook data, and the use of observers.

-- Sanctions, Compliance, and Systematic non-compliance

It is not clear if there are sanctions for failing to comply (for example for contributing deficient data on catch and effort).

3.2.4 Monitoring and management performance evaluation

80 There are mechanisms in place to evaluation key parts of the fishery specific management system.

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Update for 2019: At SC14, key decisions were highlighted that scientists (through the Scientific Committee) and regional fishery managers and stakeholders will need to consider during this SC meeting and in the near future, including an agreed procedure for the selection of “best performing” management procedure, and an approach for implementation. This would refine and prioritize management objectives and their performance indicators. See SC14-2018 MI-WP-O5.

The fishery specific management system is reviewed annually at the regular meeting of the scientific committee of the WCPFC. If changes are recommended they are considered by the members annually at the regular meeting of the commission.

References

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Choy A. et al. (2016) Finding the way to the top: how the composition of oceanic mid-trophic micronekton groups determines apex predator biomass in the central North Pacific. Marine Ecology Progress Series 549: 9–25

Cibnor. (2007). Evaluación Biológico Pesquera del dorado (Coryphaena hippurus y C. equiselis) en el Océano Pacífico. Región I. Informe. Guaymas, Sonora.

Clarke, S. (2013). Towards an Integrated Shark Conservation and Management Measure for the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. WCPFC-SC9-2013/ EB-WP-08. Ninth regular session of the scientific committee, Pohnpei. FSM. https://www.wcpfc.int/system/files/EB-WP-08-Integrated-shark-CMM.pdf

Davies, N, Pilling, G, Harley, S and Hampton, J 2013, Stock assessment of Swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) in the southwest Pacific Ocean, working paper WCPFC-SC9-2013/SA-WP-05, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee ninth regular session, Federated States of Micronesia, pp 6–14 August 2013.

Dioses, T. (2008). Condiciones oceanográficas y biológicas del perico. IMARPE. Power Point Presentation.

Farley, J, Clear, N, Kolody, D, Krusic-Golub, K, Eveson, P and Young, J 2016, Determination of swordfish growth and maturity relevant to the southwest Pacific stock, working paper WCPFC-SC12-2016/SA-WP-11, Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee twelfth regular session, Bali, Indonesia, 311 August 2016.

Gilman, E., Clarke S., Brothers N., Alfaro Shingueto J.A., Mandelman J., Mangel J., Petersen S., Piovano S., Thomson N., Dalzell P., Donoso M., Goren M., Werner T. (2007). Shark Depredation and Unwanted Bycatch in Longline Fisheries: Industry Practices and Attitudes, and

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Larcombe, J, Williams, A and Stephan, M (2016). Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery, in H Patterson, R Noriega, L Georgeson, I Stobutzki and R Curtotti (ed.s), Fishery status reports 2016, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra, pp 359–381.

Popescu I (2016). Expanding the network of EU tuna fishing agreements. Briefing. European Parliamentary Research Service. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/586611/EPRS_BRI(2016)586611_EN.pdf

Solano, S., Tresierra, A., Dioses, T. (2011). Diagnostico y Perspectiva de la Pesqueria del “Perico o Dorado” Coryphaena hippurus, en el Mar Peruano. Doc. Interno. Imarpe . Callao. 14 pp.

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission 2017: Thirteenth regular session of the Scientific Committee; Rarotonga, Cook Islands August 9 – 17, 2017. https://www.wcpfc.int/system/files/0_SC13%20Summary%20Report%20for%20Adoption%20-%2010Nov2017%20Rev.2%20%28t-c%29.pdf

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WCPFC (2009). Conservation and management measure for swordfish. CMM-2009-03.Sixth regular session. Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. https://www.wcpfc.int/system/files/CMM%202009-03%20%5BSwordfish%5D.pdf

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fisheryprogress.org · web viewas with other ommastrephids, d. gigas has a lifespan of 1–2 years...

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