FishSource

Atlantic Ocean tuna - longline (StarKist) (FIP)

Access FIP Public Report

Last Updated: 2023-12-06

Access FIP ETP Workplan Analysis

Progress Rating: D

Evaluation Start Date: 2020-02-28

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Key Traceability (KT), StarKist (S)

Stock Profile Link
Albacore - South Atlantic
Yellowfin tuna - Atlantic Ocean
Albacore - North Atlantic
Bigeye tuna - Atlantic Ocean

Comments:

The FIP has gone inactive on Fisheryprogress.org for failing to meet social policy reporting requirements. SFP evaluates FIPs solely based on environmental progress. For this reason, the status and rating of this FIP remain the same in FishSource.

1. FIP Development	Feb 20	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 28 February 2020 — MSC pre-assesment made public
2. FIP Launch	Mar 20	Confirmation of project participants 5 March 2020 — Participants are confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Feb 20	Workplan made public 28 February 2020 — Workplan made available
3. FIP Implementation	Aug 23	FIP activities undertaken 1 August 2023 — To close out the remaining P3 issues, the FIP drafted a letter to send to the St. Vincent fisheries department on the remaining required failing PIs 27 July 2023 — The FIP met with the TFA and OFDC to discuss electronic observer data collection efforts and ongoing progress with regard to P3. 1 July 2023 — The FIP has sent a letter to the Belize authorities to request aggregated observer data between the years 2019-2023. 1 January 2023 — The FIP has updated its Fins Naturally Attached policy which highlights and clarifies that shark finning in the fishery is prohibited and sharks must be landed with their fins naturally attached. 9 November 2022 — A skipper training was organized by Key Traceability in which skippers were trained on species IDs, best practices and mitigation techniques, appropriate data collection methods, electronic monitoring and waste management; 4 skippers in total were trained. 1 November 2022 — The FIP has sent advocacy letters ahead of the November 2022 ICCAT meeting to all flag states and the RFMO. 1 September 2022 — The FIP held a meeting with ARAP and the Panamanian authorities; KT provided the other parties with a list of information needed to improve the scoring of the Panama MSC PIs. 1 September 2022 — FIP has received aggregated observer data from the Belize authorities from 2017 to 2019 1 March 2022 — Summary provided for P3 scores update; external review of the new Panamanian Fishing Law conducted 1 March 2022 — The FIP has been implementing mitigation techniques to prevent incidental seabird catch; techniques report made available 1 September 2021 — The FIP has developed a bycatch handling checklist to determine whether or not vessels have all of the necessary equipment. 1 July 2021 — Waste management workplan drafted up 1 May 2021 — Outline and draft methodology created for FIP's pilot project for a carbon footprint assessement 21 April 2021 — The FIP has agreed to implement a phased approach to install Electronic Monitoring across the fleet 1 March 2021 — Skipper training has begun with Taiwanese staff members and will continue to be ongoing 1 September 2020 — A shark finning and turtle policy has been agreed upon by all FIP participants and to be implemented on board vessels. 1 September 2020 — Advocacy letters sent from FIP to ICCAT 1 August 2020 — Observer Data Request for Atlantic Ocean Tuna Longline (Starkist) FIP vessels sent to Belize FIsheries Department
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Mar 21	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 31 March 2021 — Increase in PI score 1.2.1; Harvest policy is under review for improvement targeting catch reduction 31 March 2021 — Increase in PI score 1.1.2; identified rebuilding time frame is sufficient 1 March 2021 — An ETP Management strategy has been approved by all FIP participants and is being implemented on vessels
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public