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Pacific tuna 2024 to 2025 integrated fisheries management plan summary

Pacific tuna 2024 to 2025 integrated fisheries management plan summary(PDF, 1.33 KB)

This IFMP covers Pacific tuna.

As of 2024 to 2025

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The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) summary is to provide a brief overview of the information found in the full IFMP. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to DFO staff, legislated co-management boards and other stakeholders. The IFMP provides a common understanding of the basic “rules” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource. The full IFMP is available on request.

This IFMP summary is not a legally binding instrument which can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister's discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act. The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Where DFO is responsible for implementing obligations under land claims agreements, the IFMP will be implemented in a manner consistent with these obligations. In the event that an IFMP is inconsistent with obligations under land claims agreements, the provisions of the land claims agreements will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

General introduction/overview - IFMP section 1

The Pacific Canadian fishery is focused on highly migratory Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) using troll gear. Harvest of Pacific Albacore is currently made using hook and line (jig) gear, primarily by troll, which involves towing artificial lures behind vessels travelling at approximately 6 knots. Net gear is not permitted.

The coastal fleet operates in the Canadian EEZ and the high seas under the authority of a Category CT tuna licence, which is available to all vessels with a vessel-based licence that has Schedule II privileges. Vessels without any Schedule II privileges may fish for tuna species on the high seas under the authority of a Section 68 (high seas only) licence.

With the exception of permanent and seasonal closures (Appendix 2 of the IFMP), the Pacific Albacore Tuna fishery will be open from April 1 to March 31 each year in the Canadian EEZ and the high seas. In accordance with fishing and port access privileges under the Canada/USA Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty, a limited number of eligible Canadian vessels are permitted to fish for Albacore Tuna in the USA EEZ from June 15 to September 15 each year.

The management of Pacific Albacore tuna is conducted through two Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs): the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). A description and a map of the convention areas for each of these RFMOs can be found in section 1.6 of the IFMP. Additionally, the International Scientific Committee (ISC) provides scientific advice regarding the status of tuna stocks and bycatch species in the North Pacific Ocean to both the IATTC and WCPFC.

Canada has numerous obligations related to the management of Pacific Albacore Tuna which are a result of IATTC and WCPFC resolutions. These obligations include specifying and enforcing certain requirements for Canadian tuna harvesting vessels, which is often done through Conditions of Licence.

The 2024-2025 IFMP describes requirements that relate directly to the operation of the fishery. Harvesters should consult licence conditions to for further details on these and other requirements.

Stock assessment and science - IFMP section 2

Stock assessment

Stock assessments for North Pacific albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) are conducted by the ISC approximately every three years. The most recent assessment was completed in July, 2023 and found that the stock is likely not overfished relative to the threshold (30%SSBcurrent, F=0) and limit (14%SSBcurrent, F=0) reference points adopted by the WCPFC and IATTC, and the stock is likely not experiencing overfishing relative to the target reference point (F45%SPR). The complete ISC stock assessment document is available.

Stock assessments for other Pacific tuna species including South Pacific albacore, Pacific Bluefin, Yellowfin and Skipjack are also available through links provided in the full IFMP.

Ecosystem interactions

North Pacific albacore are found in the epipelagic zone of sub-tropical and temperate waters of the open ocean and are associated with transition zone chlorophyll fronts as this is an area of sharp temperature changes (fronts) and high primary production, which attracts prey species. Albacore maintain a fast, continuous swimming lifestyle and are opportunistic predators, feeding primarily on fish. Small schooling pelagic species such as sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops sagax), anchovy (Engraulis spp.), and mackerel (Scomber spp., Trachurus spp.) are the most common fish encountered in the diet of albacore in all oceans. Along the west coast of North America, Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), Pacific saury (Cololabis saira), Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and squids are important prey in the diet of juvenile albacore, while sardine (S. sagax) are not important. Adult albacore have few predators, although they occasionally may be preyed on by large marine mammals, sharks, and billfishes.

Trolling operations are carried out at or close to the surface of the ocean and catches of non-target fish species and turtles, marine mammals and seabirds are generally negligible in troll fisheries world-wide. Trolling gear does not make contact with the seabed and contact with the epipelagic zone is minimal because of the nominal dimensions of the fishing gear. Incidental catch reported in the Canadian north Pacific Albacore fishery includes Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis), Dolphinfish or Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi), Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) and Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). Species caught incidentally may be returned to the sea alive immediately after hooking, as fish are caught individually. Barbless hooks are commonly used, so stress and injuries can be kept to a minimum.

Economic, social and cultural importance - IFMP section 3

Indigenous

Tuna fishing for Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) purposes is permitted; however, information on access and use is limited.

Recreational

Recreational fishing for albacore tuna occurs annually in offshore areas when stock distribution allows. Recreational interest has increased in recent decades as offshore technology improves the ability of recreational harvesters to access the stock. There are annual recreational tuna tournaments held where organized teams of fishers participate over several days. Various lodges and professional guides offer tuna fishing excursions, although many participants are non-guided.

Commercial

The total landed value of wild commercial fishery harvest in British Columbia was greater than $440 million in 2022 (the most recent data available), of which tuna accounted for more than $27 million (approximately 6% of total landed value for all wild-caught seafood in BC). The average annual total landed value from 2012-2023 was approximately $18.3 million (in 2023 dollars).

Access and allocations - IFMP Section 4

The Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify access, allocations, and sharing arrangements as outlined in this IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Indigenous

Indigenous harvest of Pacific Albacore Tuna for FSC or domestic purposes may occur coast wide where authorized by a communal licence or Harvest Document or Harvest Agreement.

Recreational

Recreational harvest of Pacific Albacore Tuna is permitted through a British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The daily limit for Pacific Albacore Tuna is 20 pieces and the possession limit is 40 pieces.

Commercial

Commercial harvest of Pacific Albacore Tuna is permitted in the high seas, Canadian waters and USA waters where appropriately licenced. There is no restriction on the number of licences available for harvest in the high seas or Canadian waters. 45 Canadian vessels are eligible each year for licences permitting harvest in USA waters. There is no limit to the total allowable catch in Canada’s commercial Pacific Albacore Tuna fishery.

Oceans and ecological considerations - IFMP Section 5

Oceans and habitat considerations

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is engaged in a number of marine conservation initiatives in the Pacific Region. These initiatives are at various stages of planning, development, and implementation. The implications for the tuna fishery of these initiatives vary. More information is available in Section 5 of the IFMP.

Objectives and evaluation criteria - IFMP sections 6

DFO produces an Annual Departmental Plan which outlines the broad objectives of the department, including with respect to fisheries. These national-level objectives guide the work of Fishery Management in DFO’s Pacific Region, but are not all are described in detail in the present IFMP. The current complete Annual Departmental Plan is available online through the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Library.

Objectives

  1. Stock conservation: to ensure that harvest of Pacific Albacore Tuna is conducted in a sustainable manner and to support the use of the precautionary approach to fisheries management within Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.
  2. Access for Indigenous People: to continue to provide opportunities for First Nations to harvest for food, social and ceremonial purposes, in a manner consistent with the Sparrow Decision (SCC 1990), and other court decisions.
  3. Support economic prosperity: Supporting economic prosperity is an underlying element of all fisheries planning. Tuna fisheries are important contributor to the economies of many coastal communities in British Columbia.
  4. Support the safe and orderly execution of the fishery: Supporting the safety and orderly operation of fisheries is an explicit objective in many DFO fisheries management programs. The tuna fishery entails unique and elevated safety risks. Safety and orderliness are intertwined in fisheries operations, and the orderly execution of the fishery is also necessary to ensure the other objectives listed here are met.

Evaluation criteria

  1. Stock conservation: Proper controls are in place for management of the fishery, including monitoring and enforcement of management measures. Harvest of Pacific tuna species is conducted in a sustainable manner, consistent with the IATTC harvest strategy. The use of the precautionary approach to fisheries management is supported within Regional Fisheries Management Organizations. Management decisions are based on the best available scientific information.
  2. Access for Indigenous People: Mechanisms are in place for the Department to receive requests for FSC harvest authorizations; requests that received are processed in a timely manner.
  3. Support economic prosperity: Management processes are stable, transparent, predictable, and developed in consultation with impacted sectors and communities.
  4. Support the safe and orderly execution of the fishery: Tuna fishing activity is monitored using hails, logbooks and aerial surveillance in cooperation with the US Coast Guard and other enforcement authorities. Compliance is reviewed and non-compliance is addressed through appropriate measures. Consultation and engagement with harvesters and stakeholders is conducted, which allows collaboration and two-way communication of suggestions and concerns.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada contact

For additional information on this IFMP Summary or to request an electronic version of the full IFMP, please contact Bryan Rusch
Email: bryan.rusch@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Telephone: 250-618-4066

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