2018’s Expected Bans & Closures: How Will They Impact Supply?

The global tuna purse seine fleet, while growing in numbers and efficiency, is facing increasing conservation measures. For 2018, as well as vessels following the usual yearly FAD bans and fishery closures, some RFMOs are taking stronger action.

The Indian Ocean purse seine fleet will face the same 15 percent yellowfin catch cut in 2018, as it did in 2017. This time around, however, it is hoped it will play out differently with better distribution of catch limits. Supply vessel reductions have also been adopted in the region, with every two purse seiners allowed one supply vessel between them, all of the same flag.

In the WCPO, the largest tuna catching ground, as well as the usual 3-4 month FAD ban, in the PNA region FAD tracking and monitoring trials will continue. Seiners will also have to continue to pay USD 1,000 extra on VDS fishing day prices to fish on FADs, which is focused on incentivizing free-school fishing.

Across to the Eastern Pacific and the annual purse seine closure will still take place, but for the second year in a row each session has been extended to 72 days. Before the closure period, seiners will also be required to collect any FADs set on during a 15 day period, removing them from the water.

Seiners in the Atlantic Ocean are the only ones not to face strengthened measures for 2018, as the recently closed ICCAT meeting ended with no new rules in terms of additional FAD management. The two month FAD ban during January and February will continue as normal, while vessels will still be required to have no more than 500 active FADs at any given time.