ISSF scientists are exploring innovative ways to use acoustic equipment at sea as a tool to prevent overfishing — and reduce bycatch — in purse-seine tuna fisheries.
We are studying how echosounder buoys near fish aggregating devices (FADs) can detect the distinctive “sound signatures” of different tuna species — and transmit that information to vessels before fishers travel to a FAD to make a set. If fishers can harness acoustic technology to “preemptively” estimate the type and amount of fish gathered at a particular FAD, they can choose to fish only on FADs with higher proportions of tuna species for which stocks are in healthy condition — and avoid those that have attracted larger groups of non-target species.
We’ve created a new Web feature story — with animated illustrations and photos of ISSF research projects — showing how fishers can use acoustic technology to better identify species at FADs, and fish more sustainably.
ISSF has issued its position statement ahead of annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which will be held November 14-21.
Our statement compiles our sustainable-fishing asks for ICCAT, including detailed recommendations for policy and management changes in tuna conservation; fish aggregating devices (FADs); harvest strategies; bycatch and sharks; monitoring, control, and surveillance; compliance; and capacity management.
Download the ICCAT position statement in English, French, and Spanish.
Investigating trends in process error as a diagnostic for integrated fisheries stock assessments
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