FishSource

Western and Central Pacific tuna - purse seine (Thai Union) (FIP)

Last Updated: 2022-05-10

Progress Rating: A

Evaluation Start Date: 2019-06-22

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Key Traceability (KT)

Stock Profile Link
Bigeye tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Skipjack tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean
Yellowfin tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Comments:

Some units of this fishery have been certified - please see: https://www.fisheryimprovementprojects.com/_files/ugd/b2a31e_2d2cc2f03b0e43888e3e5722a26cdb2d.pdf and some are still in assessment. The FIP rating will be maintained until all units are certified noting those which have already achieved MSC-C.

1. FIP Development	Mar 18	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 27 March 2018 — MSC pre-assessment made public
2. FIP Launch	Jul 19	Confirmation of project participants 1 July 2019 — Participants are confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Jun 19	Workplan made public 22 June 2019 — Worpkplan made available
3. FIP Implementation	Dec 22	FIP activities undertaken 13 December 2022 — The FIP hosted a workshop on how to Construct Jelly-FADs; the construction and implementation of the FADs are underway 1 November 2022 — The FIP put forth a position statement ahead of the 2022 WCPFC position statement 1 November 2021 — An advocacy letter was sent to flag states and the RFMO with the FIP's asks regarding developing harvest strategies and HCRs for tuna in the WCPO ahead of the WCPFC December 2021 meeting. 1 September 2021 — ISSF Jelly FAD report produced; The FIP has engaged with ISSF regarding the improvements found with the implication of Jelly FADs 1 August 2021 — The FIP has obtained new observer data and updated their ETP management strategy 1 November 2020 — WCPFC position statement 1 October 2020 — An ecosystem trap hypothesis paper has been completed and distributed 1 March 2020 — Best practice guides for by-catch release have been collated 1 February 2020 — A FAD questionnaire created to understand the current FAD use by companies and to look at ways for reducing their impact. 1 January 2020 — Document compiled to inform FIP participants on current harvest strategies and timelines for each of the tuna species 1 January 2020 — Advocacy letter sent ahead of the WCPFC meeting detailing asks by the FIP regarding developing harvest strategies and HCRs for tuna in the WCPO 1 January 2020 — Letters to lobby the WCPFC on these timelines to be presented to the WCPFC ahead of the next commission meeting in December 2020 drafted 1 November 2019 — A complete list of ETP species interactions compiled 1 November 2019 — A white paper completed looking at possible designs and how to encompass biodegradable materials 1 October 2019 — FAD policy created for all vessels to have to ensure it is the same throughout
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Aug 21	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 1 August 2021 — Increase to PI 3.2.3; FIP demonstrating compliance with CMM 2018-011. All vessels have confirmed they are providing feedback to FAD questionnaires and data from human observers
5. Improvements on the Water	Dec 21	Verifiable improvement on the water 7 December 2021 — Increase to PI 2.3.1.; WCPFC adopted new FAD measure requiring devices to be non-entangling. Progress continues with biodegradeable FAD requirements.
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public