May 14 2012
Research conducted at the University
of York offers a blueprint for the long-term sustainability of tuna caught
using the pole-and-line method.
The report, written by Steve Rocliffe of the University of York’s Environment
Department, looks specifically at the role of baitfish – small fish released
into the sea to attract tuna schools within range of a vessel’s fishing gear.
It reveals the first ever global estimate of baitfish required to catch tuna
using the pole-and-line technique – 25,000 tonnes per year – and identifies
several environmental and social issues associated with fishing for this bait.
Chief among these issues is the use of juvenile fish as well as the complex
interactions between live baitfish fisheries, local communities and tourism
industries, the report shows.
Ensuring Sustainability of Livebait Fish calls for more research
into these impacts. It also argues that improving management in bait fisheries
through the introduction of management plans and stock assessments could resolve
most of these issues and ensure that pole-and-line remains the most responsible
and sustainable way to fish for tuna.
Pole-and-line fishing is a simple approach to catching tuna with a hooked
line attached to a pole. On locating a school of tuna, pole-and-line vessels
scatter live bait into the sea in a process known as “chumming”. This creates
the illusion of a large school of small fish near the surface, sending the tuna
into such a feeding frenzy that they will bite at any shiny, moving object in
the water, even un-baited hooks.
The report was compiled in collaboration with the not-for-profit
International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF). The Foundation, launched in
April 2012, works to help develop sustainable and equitable pole-and-line
fisheries and to increase the market share of sustainably and equitably caught
pole-and-line tuna.
Steve Rocliffe said: “Pole-and-line fishing is one of the most
environmentally and socially desirable methods of catching tuna, but like any
method, it isn’t perfect. As demand for responsibly sourced tuna grows, it’s
vital to ensure that the bait fisheries on which pole-and-line depends are
well-managed and regularly assessed.”
“Sustainable live bait fisheries are in everyone’s interests,” said Andrew
Bassford, co-founder of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNFF).
“As a priority, we’re developing best practise guidelines for baitfish
management plans and providing skill sharing, training and capacity building to
improve community and coastal states’ ability to manage baitfish fisheries on a
long-term sustainable and equitable basis.”