The fourth tuna fishery in the South Pacific, the Fiji Albacore Tuna Long Line fishery, has been awarded MSC certification.
Albacore tuna caught by the Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association (FTBOA) has been certified, following an 18 month assessment which is valid for five years. The assessment found the albacore stock to be in a healthy state and the fishery adhering to good management principles, with marginal impact on habitats and non-target species.
The fishery is required to take action on eight conditions to improve some aspects of the fishery, including ensuring that management of the fishery is improved to establish reference points and a harvest strategy including harvest control rules. The fishery has also implemented a management strategy that ensures the fishery does not slow down the recovery and rebuilding of retained species.
FTBOA secretary and manager of the Fiji Fish Marketing Group, Russell Dunham, said the MSC certification will create market benefits for the tuna fishery.
“The certification offers opportunities to develop new markets in regions where demand for certified sustainable seafood is already high,” he said.
“MSC certification will help promote the Fiji domestic fishery and also promote Fiji’s role in asserting albacore management measures as part of the conditions of certification.”
