Annex
One
Yellowfin
Tuna Initial Position Paper
Management
Proposal
Jan
2004
The following
is Annex One of the Ministry of Fisheries management
proposal for yellowfin tuna as presented in the Initial Position
Paper (IPP).
The complete IPP is available
in a printable format (pdf) here
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Yellowfin Tuna Management
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YELLOWFIN
TUNA (YFN)
ANNEX
ONE
Species information
Species biology
- Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is widespread in tropical
and subtropical waters. It averages between 60-120 cm and can
reach over 200 cm in length. Yellowfin tuna is a migratory oceanic
species found in the northern waters of New Zealand on a seasonal
basis, an exception is the Kermadec FMA in which yellowfin tuna
are thought to be present year round.
- Yellowfin tuna is listed as a highly migratory species in Annex
1 of UNCLOS and by reference in the Western and Central Pacific
Fisheries Convention (WCPFC).
- Participating countries in the Preparatory Conference establishing
the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Prepcon)
have urged states to exercise reasonable restraint in respect
of any increase in fishing effort and capacity with regard to
the reported status of highly migratory stocks. As yet there are
no specific international obligations with regard to management
of yellowfin tuna.
Fisheries characteristics
Commercial catch
- Yellowfin tuna is occasionally targeted in the New Zealand
EEZ but is primarily taken as a bycatch in the troll and longline
fishery for albacore and bigeye tuna in FMAs 1 and 9 (and historically
FMA 10). Yellowfin are not targeted by purse seine in the New
Zealand EEZ.
- Domestic and foreign reported landings (tonnes) of yellowfin
for all FMAs are shown in Table 1 below. Annual catches are variable
with peak catches in 1986-87 (domestic and foreign landings combined)
and in 1995-96 (domestic fleet only). The low reported landings
from 1990 to 1993 are associated with the cessation of foreign-licensed
fishing and the development of a domestic tuna longline fleet.
- The most recent landings of yellowfin tuna have been low. These
low years are associated with anecdote from the fishery suggesting
a decline in availability in recent years. The declining catch
of yellowfin tuna is however, also associated with a similar decline
in reported landings of bigeye tuna for a similar period and may
well be an artifact of a decrease in the target fishery or alternatively
environmental factors affecting the distribution of both species
in New Zealand fisheries waters.
Table 1.
Reported landings (tonnes) of yellowfin tuna taken from New Zealand
fisheries waters by foreign and domestic fleets
| |
Foreign licensed |
|
Domestic |
|
| Fishing year |
Japan |
Korea |
Total |
|
Total |
| 79-80 |
12.0 |
|
12.0 |
|
12.0 |
| 80-81 |
84.4 |
33.2 |
117.6 |
|
117.6 |
| 81-82 |
90.0 |
7.3 |
97.3 |
|
97.3 |
| 82-83 |
23.6 |
9.3 |
32.9 |
|
32.9 |
| 83-84 |
47.0 |
15.5 |
62.5 |
|
62.5 |
| 84-85 |
21.6 |
82.1 |
103.7 |
|
103.7 |
| 85-86 |
98.4 |
3.8 |
102.2 |
|
102.2 |
| 86-87 |
147.0 |
42.2 |
189.2 |
5.6 |
194.8 |
| 87-88 |
39.8 |
53.5 |
93.3 |
11.6 |
104.9 |
| 88-89 |
12.0 |
1.8 |
13.8 |
12.8 |
26.6 |
| 89-90 |
32.9 |
|
32.9 |
19 |
51.9 |
| 90-91 |
15.2 |
|
15.2 |
6.3 |
21.5 |
| 91-92 |
0.2 |
|
0.2 |
19.8 |
20.0 |
| 92-93 |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
| 93-94 |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
159.7 |
159.7 |
| 94-95 |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
114.5 |
114.5 |
| 95-96 |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
193.4 |
193.4 |
| 96-97 |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
159.5 |
159.5 |
| 97-98* |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
105.3 |
105.3 |
| 98-99* |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
174.7 |
174.7 |
| 99-00* |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
100.6 |
100.6 |
| 00-01* |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
126.6 |
126.6 |
| 01-02* |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
61 |
61.0 |
| 02-03* |
0.0 |
|
0.0 |
42.1 |
42.1 |
* LFRR totals for domestic catch
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Recreational
and customary catch
- There are no estimates of non-commercial catch available.
- Yellowfin tuna is a prized species among recreational anglers.
It is highly sought after on a seasonal basis along the northeastern
coast of the north island and is a species that is tagged and
released by recreational anglers as part of the MFish/NZBGFC Gamefish
Tagging Program. Overall (by the end of 2001-02 year) there have
been eight yellowfin tuna recaptures from 876 releases from this
programme.[2]
- Yellowfin is not known to be a species of particular significance
for Mäori customary fishing.
[2]
Holdsworth J and Saul P. 2003. New Zealand billfish and gamefish
tagging 2001-02. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report.
Regulatory framework
- The regulatory framework specific to yellowfin tuna includes
specific reporting requirements for this species. Regulations
apply to the method (minimum standards for seabird mitigation)
and specific and general regulations apply if foreign owned fishing
vessels are operated in the tuna longline fishery (Part 2 of the
Fisheries (Commercial Fishing) Regulations 2000.
Fisheries assessment
- The Prepcon has charged a scientific coordinating group with
providing interim scientific advice on the status of Pacific tuna
species. A working group (WGII) of the Prepcon has considered
recent scientific advice on the stock status of yellowfin tuna
and has reported the results as follows:
“While spatial patterns of exploitation remain uncertain,
it appears some areas in the equatorial regions may be over-fished,
and in these areas management actions may be required. While recognizing
continuing uncertainties with the current yellowfin stock assessment,
WG.II recommends that to reduce the risk of the yellowfin stock
becoming over-fished further increases in fishing mortality (particularly
on juvenile yellowfin) in the WCPO should be avoided.”
- It is of note that the main concern with regard to stock status
is focussed on equatorial regions of the central and western Pacific.
However, any potential for expansion in the fishery for yellowfin
tuna within New Zealand fisheries waters must be considered within
the context of the requirement to exercise reasonable restraint.
Associated fisheries
- Yellowfin tuna is primarily taken as a bycatch of tuna longline
fishing in northern waters. Key associated fisheries are proposed
for introduction into the QMS on 1 October 2004. The main target
species of tuna longline fishing are bigeye tuna, southern bluefin
tuna and albacore. Southern bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna are to
be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2004. Albacore will be
proposed for introduction into the QMS on 1 October 2005.
- Key bycatch species are swordfish, mako shark, blue shark, porbeagle
shark, moonfish, Ray’s bream and yellowfin tuna. These species
are also to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2004.
- There are, however, a suite of species that are unlikely to
enter the QMS in the short term. Our knowledge of these species
is limited. There is a risk that the tuna longline fishery will
affect the long-term viability of these species. Tuna longline
fisheries also occasionally catch fur seals, cetaceans and turtles
within New Zealand fisheries waters. There are therefore potential
impacts on associated and dependent species, biodiversity and
protected species that will require monitoring and possibly future
management action. The entry of yellowfin tuna into the QMS will
improve our ability to address these issues by requiring the incorporation
of any new information as it comes to hand in the process of determining
catch limits for the fishery.
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Environmental
issues
- Harvesting of tunas may have impact with regard to predator/prey
interactions and trophic dynamics as tunas feed on a variety of
fish and other marine species. Understanding of food web relationships
is still at an early stage, but MFish considers that, if evidence
emerges of impacts on biodiversity from harvesting of yellowfin
tuna, this can be managed by setting a TAC within the QMS or alternative
management measures based on international cooperation where appropriate.
- There is also a non-fish bycatch associated with the surface
longline fishery. Fishing vessels sometimes capture seabirds that
are chasing baited hooks, and the seabirds drown as the lines
sink. Seabirds are also caught in trawl and other fisheries, but
longliners are considered to be the main threat to several vulnerable
albatrosses and other seabird species. The risks of seabird capture
vary geographically and by species. An active programme is underway
to mitigate and monitor the capture of seabirds in surface longline
fisheries.
- MFish has established standard environmental controls on line
and trawl target fisheries to mitigate the impact of these fishing
methods on seabirds. These include prohibitions on net sonde monitor
cables and compulsory reporting of bycatch of protected species.
New Zealand surface longline vessels are required to use tori
lines of a specified standard. Vessels are using a variety of
practices to reduce seabird bycatch including the use of artificial
baits and the practice of setting longlines at night.
- MFish and the Department of Conservation are developing a National
Plan of Action (NPOA) for Seabirds that is expected to include
measures that will apply to all New Zealand fishing vessels.
Current and potential
research
- There is no current or proposed research for yellowfin tuna
in New Zealand waters. New Zealand actively participates in the
process to assess this species in the Central and Western Pacific
and catch information from the New Zealand fishery is provided
in support of this process as required.
Social cultural
and economic factors
- Yellowfin tuna form an important and valuable bycatch of tuna
longline fisheries. While there is currently no information to
suggest that a target fishery exists in New Zealand waters, expansion
in the catch of yellowfin tuna in conjunction with the development
of the bigeye target fishery will provide economic benefit to
the nation.
- There is a potential overlap in fishing areas for yellowfin
tuna in some parts of the QMA between commercial and non-commercial
fishers. Rules may be required to address spatial separation if
conflicts arise as and when the fishery develops. Vehicles to
provide these rules include fisheries plans, the dispute resolution
procedures and the customary provisions of the 1996 Act.
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