MSC Pre-Assessment and scoping of the Vietnam handline and longline fishery. Prepared for. WWF Vietnam and Vina Tuna. Prepared by

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1 MSC Pre-Assessment and scoping of the Vietnam handline and longline fishery Prepared for WWF Vietnam and Vina Tuna Prepared by Richard Banks and Antony Lewis, Poseidon ARM Pty Ltd December 2013 Poseidon ARM Pty Ltd 13 Ribbon Avenue, Port Douglas, QLD

2 Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... I 2. INTRODUCTION Aims/scope of pre-assessment Background and constraints to the pre-assessment of the fishery Unit(s) of Certification DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY Scope of the fishery in relation to the MSC programme Overview of the fishery History of the Vietnam Fishery for Oceanic Tunas Fishing area and methods Key species... 7 In the recently developed handline fishery, much less information is available, with no observer trips and no research survey cruises undertaken as yet; observations at landings points and interviews with captains have indicated that the amount of by-catch/retained species is much less, with escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) and mahai mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) by far the most common retained species, but with smaller amounts of billfish and sharks (species unspecified) Principle 1: Target Species Background Stock status Reference points Harvest strategy Harvest rules and tools Information Assessment of stock status Principle Two: Ecosystem background Retained species Bigeye Other fish species By-catch TEP Species Habitats impacts Ecosystem impacts Principle Three: Management system background Governance and legislation Legal and customary framework Roles and responsibilities and consultation Short and long term objectives Incentives... 33

3 3.5.5 Fishery specific objectives Decision making Compliance Research Plan Performance Review EVALUATION PROCEDURE Assessment methodologies used Summary of site visits and meetings held during pre-assessment Stakeholders to be consulted during a full assessment Harmonisation with any overlapping MSC certified fisheries TRACEABILITY (ISSUES RELEVANT TO CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION) Eligibility of fishery products to enter further chains of custody Separation Issues regarding Other Fisheries PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE FISHERY Applicability of the default assessment tree Expectations regarding use of the Risk-Based Framework (RBF) Evaluation of the Fishery P1 issues P2 issues P3 issues Recommendation Summary of likely PI scoring levels Scoring Tables for Principle Scoring Tables for Principle Scoring Tables for Principle

4 1. Executive Summary The pre-assessment of the Vietnam handline and longline fishery, was undertaken by Poseidon ARM Pty Ltd, Australia. The team comprised Richard Banks and Dr. Antony Lewis. Richard Banks has undertaken pre-assessments in Vietnam and other SE Asian countries, and was team leader of the PNA free school skipjack full assessment. He is also the architect of a number of fisheries improvement plans. Dr. Tony Lewis has many years experience as a fisheries manager and scientist in the Western and Central Pacific and is presently technical advisor to the GEF/UNDP funded West Pacific East Asia Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (WPEA OFM) project in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. Tony Lewis was the P 1 assessor for the PNA tuna purse seine fishery. The pre-assessment was undertaken using MSC Certification Requirements V1.2, and prepared in accordance with the MSC Pre-assessment Reporting Template V1. The pre-assessment was undertaken during November and December Background documentation for the assessment was primarily taken from published materials and supported by a series of stakeholder meetings in Hanoi, Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa and Nha Trang. An initial client meeting was held on 15 th and 16 th September, The co-sponsors of the pre-assessment are Vinatuna and WWF Vietnam. This pre-assessment has been funded by the Postcode Lotteries Project Oceans, an initiative of the Dutch, Swedish and Scottish Postcode Lotteries administered via the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, to assist with the promotion of sustainable tuna fishing. Access to funding was facilitated through the Marine Stewardship Council. P1 issues Two species were assessed as P1 species (also referred to as target species for MSC purposes). These include yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and bigeye (Thunnus obesus). Both species are subject to regular quantitative stock assessment. The pre-assessment indicates that yellowfin tuna has a reasonably good expectation of scoring 80 or above based on its current stock status (above BMSY), whereas bigeye tuna is likely to score below 80, and its status is likely to worsen with little sign of the rebuilding strategies advanced through WCPFC, being effective, due largely to the high take of bigeye tuna in association with Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) within the wider Western Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Whilst management measures are advanced at international level, a harvest strategy for yellowfin tuna has yet to see reference points implemented in management, though these seem likely to be implemented at Regional Fishery Management Organisation (RFMO) level by Vietnam has not however, implemented any form of strategy, not accompanying tools to restrict effort on bigeye or yellowfin tuna, as required as a condition of its CNM status. An added complication is that whilst Vietnam falls within the migratory range for these species, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) does not recognize the South China Sea as falling under its mandate. Vietnam though, is a Cooperating Non Member (CNM), and is Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery i

5 actively seeking membership. As a CNM, Vietnam is nevertheless required to implement all Commission Management Measures (CMM). The task of monitoring of the fishery removals and fleet structure is largely done through Sub DECAFIREP in the central provinces where tuna catches are highest. Data collection is supported by the GEF/UNDP funded West Pacific East Asia Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (WPEA OFM), and is presently concentrated in Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces. The quality of data collected is continually being strengthened but includes information required, inter alia, to measure catch species and size composition, as well as to document effort. As such the information collected is considered to be good, but also may be strengthened with an extension to include oceanic tuna fisheries in other provinces. These extensions will form part of a renewed WPEA OFM project. Other elements of data collection include the compilation of catch and effort data. Vietnam is in the process of receiving training in the SPC TUFMAN system. However, it is unclear how DECAFIREP propose to link to the SPC regional tuna database. At WCPO level there is a robust and internationally acknowledged stock assessment programme in place, utilizing SPC/OFP as science provider and database manager. The assessments use the MULTIFAN-CL stock assessment model, an age- and spatially-structured model utilizing catch, effort, size composition data grouped into 17 fisheries (but not currently including Vietnam) and quarterly time periods from At sub-regional level, there is also a possibility that the WCPFC assessments in the medium term (2014 onwards) may incorporate revised spatial structure with a new region encompassing Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines (Hampton, pers. com.) which could provide estimates of biomass and other parameters of interest. At the national level, there are existing biomass estimates based on RIMF surveys (Son, 2005), with a combined yellowfin and bigeye biomass estimate, presumably largely adult biomass, of 44,864t and a recommended TAC for the two species of 17,000t. There are plans to update the existing national level stock assessments in Vietnam It is understood RIMF has plans to undertake VPAbased stock assessments for yellowfin, bigeye and other tuna species in the near future P2 issues The P2 species cover a comprehensive range of species caught in the offshore waters of Vietnam. For the longline fishery, the main species groups of concern are likely to include sharks (mostly blue and thresher), billfish (mostly sailfish and swordfish), rays and other tuna like species (wahoo, mahi mahi and escolars). None of these species individually account for more than 4% of the catch by weight 1, and no domestic strategy applies to their conservation. Nevertheless, there are evolving management requirements explicit within WCPFC CMMs which require recording of particular species catches, most notably CMM (pelagic sharks). Other species caught as bycatch and discarded include lancet fish, snake mackerel and rays (unspecified). The sum of discards in the longline fishery is reportedly between 2 and 7%, but 1 The MSC Fisheries Assessment Methodology sets guidelines for the definition of mail retained species (CB (retained), CB 3.8.2)). The benchmark was initially established as 5% of the total weight of catch, or in the event that species are identified as at risk. Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery ii

6 none individually exceed 5%. Almost all species are landed i.e. retained, but with some exceptions in the case of by-catch SPC has undertaken a preliminary risk assessment for a range of retained and bycatch species (Kirby et al, 2007). Blue shark, wahoo, blue marlin and sailfish were assessed as Medium to High Risk. However, no specific assessment has been made for the specific fishery (Vietnam longline). This would have to be done as part of a national exercise, assessing fishery specific interactions with prominent species, most explicitly, the billfish and sharks, irrespective of whether the interactions fall above or below the 5% definition 2. As part of the change to the scoring methodology (V 1.2), baitfish caught during fishing operations is now assessed as a retained species. These baitfish include possibly 5 species of squid and numerous flying fish species. Fish caught as bait however represent a very small element of the commercial catch for these same species. Before undertaking full assessment, all species caught as baitfish would need to be subject to a Productivity Susceptibility Analysis. The two species reported as the only significant retained species, escolar, dolphin fish, in the handline fishery, were both ranked low-medium on the PSA. The extent of shark catch as minor retained species in handline, both by species and relative abundance, is unknown, as is billfish. Records of interactions with Endangered, Threated, and Protected species (ETPs) are restricted to five species of turtle. The status of these turtles ranges from critically endangered (leatherback and hawksbill) to endangered and vulnerable (green, loggerhead and olive ridley). Fishery interaction with sea turtles in Vietnam is significant (up to 4,000 reported as captured across the range of fisheries). There has been some work in measuring the specific impact of the longline fishery and the life status of the turtles when caught, but the reporting is not regular. Nevertheless, observer data do tend to show low levels of interaction, and low mortality rates (1 in 5 dead on capture). Most specifically, whilst Vietnam has not introduced the turtle CMM ( ), it has its own prescribed Decree which prohibits the landing of turtles. Turtle avoidance also forms part of the occasional Sub DECAFIREP educational process at regional level. Evidence from workshops and published work, however, suggests that mitigation measures in the form of circle hooks are as yet unproven, and even if appropriate, have yet to be adopted widely within the longline fishery. There is unlikely to be any interaction between the handline fishery and turtles, but this assumption would have to be assessed. There are not likely to be impacts on fisheries habitats in the event of loss of gear. Some work has been undertaken by SPC on the ecological effects within the western Pacific as a whole. These indicate a very diverse ecosystem and broad resilience of the ecosystem to high 22 It is noted that the PNA assessment examined species interactions below the 5% threshold in response to a stakeholder request to do so from WWF. Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery iii

7 levels of exploitation whilst the biomass remains high. However, if the biomass is reduced for apex predators including yellowfin, bigeye and shark species, the dynamics may well change for the worse. This therefore requires an extension of the trophic ecosystem modeling work to include the South China Sea. P3 issues The Vietnamese tuna fishery operates within a governance system which is rapidly evolving. Core legislation is in place, with decrees used as the management tool. However, key elements are missing from the Fisheries Act. A new Act is about to come into place and contains basic management tools along with required compliance with articles that ensure compliance with international principles. Whilst the precautionary approach to fisheries management (PAFM) and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) are not specifically mentioned in the Act, these principles are referred to in the draft Tuna Management Plan (TMP). However, there would seem to be some way to go in terms of the implementation of effective management tools, most explicitly those that are consistent with the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs), and an enforcement system that can effectively enforce these tools. It is unclear from the present revisions to the Fisheries Act if CMMs are automatically binding. The suggestion though is that once a full member, Vietnam will be bound to implement the CMMs through its law. However, it should be noted that as a Cooperating Non Member (CNM), Vietnam is already bound to implement the measures. Rules of responsibilities are clearly demarcated between central and provincial government, but the rules and regulations respond to national decrees as applicable to offshore fisheries which lie outside 40 nautical miles. Consultation processes are required, and specific semi-governmental organisations exist in the form of Vinatuna, provincial tuna associations and VASEP. Consultation at local level include regular meetings with fishermen, fish processors and buyers. Short-term and long term objectives are explicit within the Act, with appropriate reference to sustainable fisheries. It is not however clear as to whether sustainability objectives override growth plans. Whilst it is argued that some fisheries incentives, such as fuel subsidies, have been provided in response to short term economic pressures, the size of such an incentive did not prevent a significant reduction in fishing effort during the period of high fuel prices. Nevertheless, Vietnam still openly advocates an increase in the size of its offshore fleet, with provision made for supporting vessel construction. The ethos behind this is to relieve pressure away from coastal fisheries, against the background of under-utilized opportunities in its offshore tuna fisheries. The fishery specific management system, which applies actions consistent with principles 1 and 2, is not in place, though a fishery management plan is in draft. Decision making processes do not clearly reflect available information or scientific advice provided by the Research Institute of Marine Fisheries (RIMF). To date, decisions have not reflected the WCPFC CMMs, and for the fishery to be certified will require that management measures required on fisheries other than just purse seine and longline, are incorporated and applied through national decrees. Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery iv

8 The fishery also lacks any form of research plan at national level, which could be used to support the key management information needs. The lack of management tools also means that there are few rules in place that could lead to non-compliance. Rudimentary rules apply to license type and fishing only outside coastal and intermediate waters, as well as operating only inside the EEZ. However, a schedule of sanctions does exist, and non-compliance may result in removal of a fishing license. The system of performance review is set out as part of the management plan, but has not as yet been applied. Based on our assessment, it appears the fishery is not ready to proceed for full assessment and should engage in a Fisheries Improvement Plan. Actions identified through scoping include the following: Principal 1: Stock status and management The application of these activities require actions at WCPFC level and at national level. Management actions must reflect wider species management issues, as well as fisheries specific to Vietnam. Outcome 1.1: Stock status improved and reference points applied in management Activity 1.1.1: WCPFC would have to set explicit limit reference points which are consistent with the MSC definition of BLIM (0.2 B0), and for these to be applied to the harvest strategy (1.2.1); Activity 1.1.2: Since Vietnam has no resource leverage, it would have to comply with the WCPFC Reference points and LRPs set for YFT and BET; Activity 1.1.3: An effective rebuilding strategy would have to be implemented for bigeye tuna. This will require CCM and CNMs to implement effective measures, but could only be achieved in the much longer term, i.e years, or greater; Activity 1.1.4: Continue to improve national data collection and monitoring at all levels: Comprehensive log sheet coverage Database development (e.g. TUFMAN) Size and species composition of the catch by gear (port sampling) Activity 1.1.5: RIMF participating in the SC, and providing appropriate advice to the regional and national decision making process; Outcome 1.2: Management strategies applied and supported by tools and the application of strong information and research. Activity 1.2.1: Clarification of the convention area and the binding nature of CMM and any successor CMM Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery v

9 Activity 1.2.2: Implementation of a compatible harvest strategy in Vietnam waters, which would include longline, purse seine and other gears (including handline and gillnet), and would be consistent with Vietnam s obligations developed through any future changes to ; Activity 1.2.3: Setting a monitoring system in place (consistent with CMM ) which evaluates: Catch and effort limits; Catch and effort reporting; Spatial and temporal closures and gear restrictions; Observer and VMS requirements; and Scientific data provision, reporting and handling. Activity 1.2.4: Establishing national harvest control rules (input and output restrictions) across the range of tuna fisheries which allow for limits to be implemented as reference points are approached. The rules and tools will need to take account of best practice examples to illustrate their appropriateness (eg overall capacity limits, quotas and closed seasons); Activity 1.2.5: A monitoring system would need to be established to show the rules applied are effective (reporting). Principal 2: Ecosystem status and management The application of these activities require actions at national level, but when available, management strategies must take account of international management obligations. Bigeye tuna, in the pre-assessment, is recommended to be assessed as a retained species because of the low likelihood that a rebuilding strategy can be implemented within the short to medium term. Outcome 2.1: Retained species subject to a management strategy Activity 2.1.1: Document the catch of bigeye tuna, shark, billfish, baitfish and other species in the handline and longline fisheries (See FIP action 2.1.3). Note that there are already WCPFC CMMs in place that require selected pelagic shark species 3 catches to be recorded; Activity 2.1.2: Investigate options for partial strategy to implemented for the protection of bigeye in the longline (LL) and handline (HL) fishery; Activity 2.1.3: If oceanic sharks are proved to be prevalent in the LL and HL fisheries, implement a partial strategy consistent with CMM and CMM ; Activity 2.1.4: Undertake a risk assessment for all billfish and shark species, and any other retained or bycatch species, if data shows catch rates to be 5% or more; 3 Thresher shark, silky shark, Oceanic whitetip shark, blue shark, longfin and shortfin mako, hammerhead shark Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery vi

10 Activity 2.1.5: Undertake a risk assessment for all baitfish stocks; Activity 2.1.6: Undertake a study to explore if the partial strategy on selected at risk species will work; Activity 2.1.7: Collect evidence to show that the partial strategy is being implemented effectively. Outcome 2.2: Bycatch species subject to a management strategy Activity 2.2.1: Document bycatch species in the handline and longline fisheries; Activity 2.2.2: Undertake a risk assessment in the event that individual bycatch species are identified (>5%); Activity 2.2.3: Prepare a partial management strategy for main bycatch species, if relevant; Activity 2.2.4: Collect evidence to show that the partial strategy is being implemented effectively. Outcome 2.3: ETP species subject to a management strategy Activity 2.3.1: Document turtle bycatch and status in the handline and longline fisheries (See FIP action 2.3.3) on a regular (as opposed to ad hoc) basis. Activity 2.3.2: Implement effective management mitigation measures for turtles which are consistent with national and international (WCPFC) obligations Activity 2.3.3: Evaluate the effectiveness of management mitigation measures based on best practice Outcome 2.4: Habitats subject to a management strategy Activity 2.4.1: Incorporate a requirement to record gear losses into the national observer programme Outcome 2.5: Ecosystems and biodiversity assessments made for the Vietnamese and South China Sea region Activity 2.5.1: Collection and analysis of biodiversity indicators to support the use of the biodiversity index Activity 2.5.2: Assess the trophic impact for the Vietnam EEZ /South China Sea Sub region Principal 3: Governance and fisheries specific management Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery vii

11 The application of governance and fisheries management activities are two tier. The governance elements are explicit to all tuna fisheries within Vietnam, and also must reflect the effective participation of Vietnam within the WCPFC process. On the other hand, the fishery specific management activities relate to the application to relevant fisheries defined as the UoC, handline and longline, within Vietnam. Outcome 3.1: Legislation strengthened Activity 3.1.1: Implementation of the new Fisheries Law containing the core elements which prioritise sustainable fisheries, and contain provisions for automatic implementation of international conventions including the WCPFC CMMs; Activity 3.1.2: Ensure that the Precautionary and Ecosystem approaches to fisheries management are explicit in law, or at the very least are embraced in the design and actions of the Tuna Management Plan; Activity 3.1.3: Vietnam becomes a WCPFC CMM. Outcome 3.2: Roles and responsibilities and consultation processes fully implemented Activity Implementation of the Advisory Board through the NTMP process. Outcome 3.3: Long Term and short term objectives applied that are consistent demonstrate effective implementation of sustainable fisheries management systems Activity 3.3.1: Explicit reference would have to ensure that expansion in fleet capacity takes account of the precautionary approach to fisheries management, and adherence to appropriate scientific advice, most specifically adhering to the LRPs set in management. Activity 3.3.2: Evidence would need to show that the Precautionary Approach to Fishery Management (PAFM) is explicitly understood and enacted at both national and provincial level Outcome 3.4: No evidence of negative incentives Activity 3.4.1: Review negative and positive incentives against the background of stock status for yellowfin and bigeye, as well as the impact on bycatch. Outcome 3.5: Fishery specific management objectives applied Activity 3.5.1: The handline fishery is included along with the other tuna fisheries contained within the management plan Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery viii

12 Activity 3.5.2: Evidence that the NTMP is being implemented and that performance monitoring is being implemented Outcome 3.6: Decision making process strengthened Activity 3.6.1: Clear evidence that decisions taken respond to scientific advice and reflect management actions as determined in wider international fora Activity 3.6.2: Decisions therefore must reflect at best, precautionary management principles, and take account of management actions to be determined for all fishing methods i.e. reflecting the actions that will be proposed under amendments to (See CMM ). Activity 3.6.3: Explanations to be provided for decisions taken, and should follow the basis of the management plan when introduced. Outcome 3.7: Compliance systems are demonstrably effective Activity 3.7.1: Risk assessment of enforcement actions following the introduction of rules and tools Activity 3.7.2: Effective evidence of systematic compliance and an effective system of sanctions Outcome 3.8: A national research plan is in place Activity 3.8.1: A national research plan which addresses P1 and P2 requirements Poseidon ARM PLPre-assessment Queensland East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery ix

13 2. Introduction 2.1. Aims/scope of pre-assessment The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent, global, non-profit organization. It works to enhance responsible management of seafood resources, to ensure the sustainability of global fish stocks and the health of the marine ecosystem. It is supported by a broad coalition of those with a stake in the future of the global seafood supply. The MSC harnesses consumer power by identifying sustainable seafood products through an eco-label. The MSC has identified the following as its mission statement: To safeguard the world s seafood supply by promoting the best environmental choice. The MSC strongly recommends that fisheries that are considering certification according to the MSC standards carry out a pre-assessment. Pre-assessments may be carried out by independent assessors that have experience in full assessments. Pre-assessments provide a rapid evaluation of the readiness of a fishery to proceed with full assessment but without incurring the cost of a full assessment. Full assessments are carried out by registered Certification bodies. A full list of these bodies can be found on The MSC recommends pre-assessments of fisheries interested in certification to help the client get a clear picture of whether the fishery is a good candidate for a full certification evaluation, to see what potential issues may arise as part of a full certification evaluation, and to determine the likely costs for a full certification. The client must provide evidence that 1) the policies, management principles, and enforcement programs of the responsible fishery management bodies and fishing fleets can be expected to meet the MSC Principles and Criteria; and 2) that the status of the entire biological stock or stocks of the species utilized by the fishery are healthy, even if the fishery just fishes a small portion of the entire stock(s). This is necessary because the MSC's Standards Council has determined that the biological stock of the species fished must be demonstrated as healthy for a fishery or fisheries to be fully certified. These pieces of information are designed to help a fishery make more informed decisions regarding its ability to move forward with full certification. However, no verification of information occurs during a pre-assessment. In case of fisheries that are not deemed ready to proceed with a chance of success to full assessment, the pre-assessment will indicate where the weaknesses lie and as such provides direct entry points for plans to improve the fishery to make it more likely to pass full certification and improve its sustainability. Plans are developed thorough a Fisheries Improvement Planning (FIP) Process which uses the pre-assessment to identify the requiring improvements (scoping), and then develop through the support of stakeholders, a FIP. The Plan not only seeks to set out the required activities needed, but also a budget and which of the partner stakeholder institutions should be involved. The planning process comes with very clear terms of reference which if followed, will ensure compliance with the MSC performance indicators (PIs). Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 1

14 A pre-assessment report that meets all the requirements of the Marine Stewardship Council provides the following information: A short description of the fishery; General historical background information on the fishery and area; The fishery management policy objectives, regulations, and practices; Identification of other fisheries in the vicinity, but not subject to certification; List of stakeholders in the fishery; State of preparedness for assessment, in particular, the extent to which the fisheries systems are based upon the MSC Principles and Criteria; A discussion of the key issues and factors identified as potentially troublesome in completing a successful certification assessment based on the MSC principles and criteria; and A decision as to whether it will be possible to move from the pre-assessment to final assessment stage Background and constraints to the pre-assessment of the fishery This report sets out the results of a pre-assessment of the Vietnamese targeted fisheries for yellowfin and bigeye tunas, in relation to the Marine Stewardship Council s (MSC) Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing (the MSC standard ). The assessment focusses on two gears, handline and longline offshore fisheries. It must be stressed that this report can provide guidance only, and the outcome of a main assessment will be the subject of deliberation by an assessment team and would not be influenced by this pre-assessment. WWF Vietnam and Vinatuna appointed assessors, Poseidon ARM Pty Ltd, to conduct an MSC pre-assessment of these fisheries. To date, almost all fisheries that have successfully concluded a full MSC Fishery Assessment have had conditions set for continuing certification. These conditions may relate to operational and management functions. The client is then responsible for ensuring that these conditions are met within the required timescale. The client should therefore have authority, or have secured agreement with the relevant organizations, to enact potential conditions should certification be successful. For this fishery, this is likely to require cooperation from DECAFIREP, Vinatuna and possibly VASEP Unit(s) of Certification The MSC Guidelines to Certifiers specifies that the unit of certification is "The fishery or fish stock (=biologically distinct unit) combined with the fishing method/gear and practice (=vessel(s) pursuing the fish of that stock and management framework." Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 2

15 The definition of the fisheries under pre-assessment is confined to those vessels categorized as using longline and handline in the waters of Vietnam. Species: Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and bigeye (Thunnus obesus Geographical Area: South China Sea, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Ocean Method of Capture: Handline and longline Client Group: WWF Vietnam and Vinatuna Figure 1. Maps of the Vietnam EEZ 3. Description of the Fishery 3.1. Scope of the fishery in relation to the MSC programme The handline and longline fishery, Vietnam, has been assessed with regard to special considerations for the scope of the MSC certification sought (MCR 27.4): Unit of Certification see Section 2.3; Enhanced Fishery - the Vietnamese handline and longline fisheries do not meet the MSC definition of an enhanced fishery; Unilateral Exemption the Vietnam tuna fisheries are not conducted under a controversial unilateral exemption to an international agreement; Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 3

16 Destructive Fishing Practices the Vietnam tuna fisheries do not use fishing with poisons or explosives; Dispute or Controversy the Vietnam tuna fisheries are not the subject of controversy and/or dispute; Past MSC Record the Vietnam tuna fisheries have not previously failed assessment nor had a certificate withdrawn; Other Eligible Fishers no fishers other than those identified in Section 2. 3 would be eligible to use an MSC certificate awarded to the Vietnam tuna fisheries; IPI Stocks there are not expected to be any catches of non-target stocks which are inseparable or practically inseparable from the target stocks identified in the unit of certification; Enhanced Stocks the Vietnam tuna fisheries do not comprise any enhanced stocks; Overlapping Fisheries the Vietnam tuna fisheries unit of certification does not overlap with any stocks which are or have been MSC-certified, nor any stocks which are currently under assessment for MSC certification; Introduced Species the Vietnam tuna fisheries are not based on any introduced species Overview of the fishery History of the Vietnam Fishery for Oceanic Tunas The oceanic tuna fisheries which generally operate in offshore areas (> 24 nm) were slower to develop than coastal fisheries in Vietnam. Development began following resource surveys utilizing longline and gillnets in the early 1990s. The Government response to the initially slow growth in the offshore fishery was the development of a new modernization drive in the National Target Program on Offshore Fishing Development. It was designed to provide preferential loans for fishermen to upgrade their fleets, with the goal of creating a fleet of around 800 deep-sea fishing vessels which would exploit Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This was also intended to relieve pressure on over-exploited inshore areas. The Program would also improve logistics and support facilities. Investment in facilities that would process tuna products for export was also encouraged. There are existing biomass estimates based on RIMF surveys (Son, 2005), with a combined yellowfin and bigeye biomass estimate, presumably largely adult biomass, of 44,864t and recommended TAC for the two species of 17,000t. The tuna fishery has grown steadily since that time, most notably in the south central provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa, but also to a lesser extent in Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Nam, Baria Vung Tau and other provinces (see Lewis (2005) for historical details). Development concentrated in the central provinces because of their historical tradition of offshore fishing, initially for squid and flying fish, and because the continental shelf is narrowest, providing ready access to oceanic waters. Fishing grounds and seasons vary for the various gears (see later). The main oceanic tuna fishing ports are Hon Ro (Khanh Hoa), Tuy Hoa and Tuy An (Phu Yen) and Quy Nhon and Tam Quan (Binh Dinh) with significant landings in other ports where processing and Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 4

17 marketing outlets are based eg Vung Tau, Da Nang. Note that the 2012 catch by handline and longline, as the fishery has grown during the past decade, will probably considerably exceed this amount. Fleets have continued to modernize and upgrade technology, but most are still small and not well equipped by WCPO industrial standards. Vessels are licensed at provincial level but any management measures are generally imposed at national level e.g. capacity management, operational restrictions. All fishing currently occurs with the Vietnam EEZ. The main vessel types operating in the Vietnam tuna fishery are as follows (from Anon, 2012), with gear and operational details summarized in Table 1. Longline with > 700 vessels targeting large tunas (yellowfin and bigeye); most are vessels > 90 HP (80%) and operate in offshore areas; numbers have been stable or declining during , but would have declined sharply during 2012 with many vessels switching to handline fishing. It remains to be seen if this transformtion will persist during Handline the fishery developed only in late 2011, and grew dramatically during 2012; also targeting large tunas in offshore areas; incomplete information available but possibly close to 1,500 vessels currently operating; mostly ex-longliners but other vessel types as well e.g. squid/tuna purse seine, squid falling net, gillnet; some vessels may also fish more than one gear per trip Gillnet over 1,300 vessels licensed; not all targeting oceanic tuna (skipjack) but also small pelagic species, including flying fish; not possible to separate vessels by target species at present, and targeting may change seasonally. Around 75% of vessels > 90 HP, with larger vessels mostly operating in offshore areas Purse seine (day) - day time operations, with around 500 vessels, 80% > 90 hp; target skipjack but includes some vessels which fish small pelagics (eg anchovies); operate in both offshore and near inshore areas, often around floating logs and trees. Purse seine (night) although not target species, oceanic tuna especially juveniles, are taken, along with coastal tunas and small pelagics, but there are few if any data at present on these catches, which come from a wider range of provinces; fish with light in areas typically closer inshore. All catch is initially landed in Vietnam, with higher value/quality catch exported as both whole fish and processed product, with the remainder retained for local consumption and processing. The value of exports in 2011, including fresh/frozen (HS03) and processed (HS16) reached USD 380 million in 2011 (Anon, 2012) and is likely to approach 600 million in The export value includes around 50,000t of imported tuna processed and re-exported in various forms Fishing area and methods Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 5

18 All fishing by Vietnam tuna vessels for oceanic tunas occurs within the EEZ, often 200 nm or more from the coastline. The area between Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) islands is the main fishing ground for most fleets, bounded by S, E. Two fishing seasons are recognized, varying somewhat throughout the country - the north-east monsoon (winter) season, from November to March, when the main longline catches occur, and the south-west (summer) monsoon season, from April to October, when much of the gillnet and day purse seine activity occurs. The catch may be landed in ports other than those where the vessei is licensed and based, with seasonal patterns in those landings, often to ports where buyers operate and processing plants have been established. Summary details of the main tuna fishing methods are summarized in Table 1 below. Table 1: Details of the main gears used to take oceanic tunas in Vietnam waters Gear Longline Handline Gillnet Operational details Set 1000 or more hooks; mostly catch own bait (flying fish, squid) or buy at sea; trips often > 30 days; relatively low catch rates relative to l/line elsewhere Attract tunas and bait with lights; usually fish four lines/two hooks, change squid bait regularly; trip length shorter (~ 25 days) Drift gillnet up to 15 km in length, 15-20m depth; trips usually ~ 25 days, based around lunar cycle; seasonal shifts in fishing area Catch Often 2-4t per trip but varies widely with season, area and vessel 2011 est. total catch 15,000t; will be lower in 2012 with major switch to handline Often higher catch rate than longline; fish similar areas, yellowfin and bigeye similar size and species composition; Total catch 2012 unknown but possibly > 10,000t 10 tonnes or more per trip; 2011 total catch (tunas) 12,000t but probably higher since only 3 provinces landings included; skipjack 90% of tuna catch Seasonality, area November June Fishing ground may shift seasonally Possibly year round but catch history too short to know November September Target species Yellowfin Bigeye Yellowfin Bigeye Skipjack, smaller amounts of yellowfin and bigeye (juvenile), Other species (retained/by-catch) Level high, with a range of species, which may comprise 40 % or more by weight; most retained, few discards; some turtle by-catch Level much lower, with escolar, mahi mahi the main species, plus (reportedly) some shark and billlfish Wide range of species taken, most retained; some turtle by-catch, large catch of sharks, rays, mostly retained Purse Fish around Maybe up to 10t or January - Skipjack; Significant other spp. Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 6

19 seine (day) Purse seine (night) floating logs/debris; trips ~ 10 days or less, closer inshore; net length 600m or more, 20m or more deep; Set lights in inshore areas but also near offshore; smaller nets than day purse seine, and often smaller vessels more per trip; species composition variable and targetting may change eg skipjack, coastal tunas, large and small pelagics eg anchovy. Shorter trips; no data available on extent of oceanic tuna landings from this gear; operate in many provinces August March - September range of other tuna spp., anchovy for smaller vessels Small pelagic catch (mahi, rainbow runner, wahoo, triggerfish, coastal tunas etc); mostly retained, few discards also take juvenile SJ, YF, BE and coastal tunas The pre-assessment will now focus on the first two of those tuna fishery gears, longline and handline, with yellowfin and bigeye tuna in both fisheries the target species to be initially considered Key species In the longline fishery, yellowfin and bigeye tuna typically make up 60% or more of the landed catch by weight (RIMF survey data), with some reports claiming as high as 80%. They are clearly the principal target species, with the yellowfin/bigeye ratio in the catch around 2:1. The volume of retained species is relatively high (40% by weight) with a large number of species involved (Table 2), including 4 tuna species (plus target tunas), 5 billfish species, 20 other fish species, 16 shark species (but with several identifications doubtful), 10 ray species and four-five turtle species. Specific identifications within some multi-species genera (or groups) remain uncertain, especially on the earlier survey trips e.g. thresher sharks, carcharhinid sharks, hammerhead sharks and possibly the rays, so the composite list should be regarded as provisional. The abundance of these species has been ranked based on the available data, with species much less than 1% by weight classified as rare and not further considered as minor retained species in Species of doubtful identification status were also excluded from further consideration. Other than the two principal target species, no individual species regularly makes up more than 5% of the overall catch by weight, although some species may do so in individual sets. Of the retained species groups, billfish account for 19% of the total, but each species falling under 4%. Swordfish and sailfish tend to predominant. The shark catch makes up 16% of the total, with thresher and blue shark predominating, but again each species accounting for less than 4% by weight. Relatively little of the catch is discarded, with only 7% discards (by weight) reported for a small number of observed longline trips (14) in (Ha and Hai, 2010), declining to less than 2% in a smaller number of trips (7) in (Ha et al, 2011). Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 7

20 Table 2: Composite table of species recorded in longline sets, from RIMF surveys and , and observer trips Species name Common name Abundance Designation Comment Tunas (6) Thunnus albacores Yellowfin tuna Principal target species Thunnus obesus Bigeye tuna Principal target species Thunnus alalunga Albacore Retained species Thunnus tonggol Longtail tuna Retained species (rare) Katsuwonus pelamis Skipjack tuna Retained species Euthynnus affinis Mackerel tuna, kawakawa Retained species (rare) (Target) (Target/main retained) Billfish (5) Makaira indica Black marlin Retained species Makaira nigricans (= Indo-Pacific blue Retained species Often misidentified as black mazara) marlin marlin (indica) Istiophorus platypterus Sailfish Retained species Tetrapturus audax Striped marlin Retained species (rare) Xiphias gladius Broadbill swordfish Retained species Other fish (20) Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo Retained species Alepisaurus ferox Lancet fish Discard Some retained, most discarded Brama orcini Bigtooth pomfret Retained species Brama brama Ray s bream Retained species Possibly doubtful (rare) Coryphaena hippurus Dolphin fish Retained species Drepane longimana Sicklefish Retained species (rare) Gempylus serpens Snake mackerel Retained species Some discarded Lampris guttatus Opah Retained species Some discarded; includes sp. Unid Lepidocybium Escolar Retained species flavobrunneum Lobotes surinamensis Tripletail Retained species Mene maculata Moonfish Retained species (rare) Promethichthys Roudi escolar Discard? (rare) prometheus Ruvettus pretiosus Oilfish Retained species Sargocentrum rubrum Soldier fish Retained species (rare) Scomberomorus sp. Spanish mackerel Retained species Probably commerson (rare) Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda Retained species Taractes sp. Pomfret Retained species rubescens? Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 8

21 (rare) Taractichthys longipinnis Bigscale pomfret Retained species (rare) Taractichthys Sickle pomfret Retained species steindachneri (rare) Trichiurus lepturus Hairtail Discard? Bait? Possible inclusion of other spp. Sharks (16, 2 doubtful) Alopias pelagicus Pelagic thresher Retained species Alopias superciliosus Bigeye thresher Retained species Carcharhinus falciformis Silky shark Retained species Carcharhinus Galapagos shark Retained species galapagensis Carcharhinus obscurus Dusky shark Retained species Carcharhinus sorrah Spot tail shark Retained species Doubtful identification (rare) delete Carcharhinus tilstoni Australian blacktip Retained species Doubtful identification shark (rare) delete Carcharhinus spp. Requiem sharks Retained species No species breakdown Carcharodon carcharias Great white shark Retained species (rare) Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger shark Retained species Isistius brasiliensis Cookie cutter shark Retained species (rare) Isurus paucus Longfin mako Retained species Isurus oxyrhinchus Shortfin mako Retained species Prionace glauca Blue shark Retained species Pseudocarcharias Crocodile shark Retained species kamoharai Sphyrna lewini Scalloped Retained species Possibly other spp. also hammerhead Rays (10) Aetomylaeus nichofii Banded eagle ray Retained species Discarded (rare) Manta birostris Giant manta ray Retained species Mobula diabolus Devil ray Retained species Mobula japonica Devil ray Retained species Dasyatis garouaensis Niger stingray Retained species Doubtful identification (freshwater) (rare) delete Dasyatis kuhlii Blue-spotted ray Retained species Some discarded Dasyatis matsubarai Pitted stingray Retained species (rare) Dasyatis zugei Pale-edged ray Retained species (rare) Dasyatis sp. Unid rays Retained species Some discarded Pteroplatytrygon Pelagic ray Retained species violacea Taeniura meyeni Blotched fantail ray Retained species Abundance key (by weight) > 10% % < 0.5% In the recently developed handline fishery, much less information is available, with no observer trips and no research survey cruises undertaken as yet; observations at landings points and interviews with captains have indicated that the amount of by-catch/retained species is much Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 9

22 less, with escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) and mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) by far the most common retained species, but with smaller amounts of billfish and sharks (species unspecified) Principle 1: Target Species Background Two target species from the longline and handline fisheries are identified for pre-assessment (yellowfin and bigeye), although others, notably skipjack from a selected fishery or fisheries, might be considered at a later time for other fisheries (e.g. purse seine). It is considered that yellowfin and bigeye tuna are part of the accepted WCPO stock distribution of both species, extending from the eastern boundary of the Convention area (150 0 W) to the coasts of Asia, and including the South China Sea. This is based on tag returns from releases in Indonesia, Philippines and areas further east, in the case of yellowfin (and skipjack), and also given the known mobile nature of the species in both cases and the absence of any barriers to movement throughout the range of the WCPO stock. Stock assessments for the WCPO are thus regarded as applying to yellowfin and bigeye exploited by the South China Sea fishery, even though Vietnamese fishery and biological data are not yet included in these assessments, and the WCPFC continues to regard the South China Sea as not part of the Convention area i.e. the Convention does not apply (see WCPFC ). As noted, Vietnam as a CNM is however bound by Commission CMMs. This is an issue that requires clarification with respect to application of CMMs. The longline (and handline) fishery takes primarily adults of both species; juveniles, as noted, are taken by other gears such as gillnet and purse seine (day and night), although these catches are not well documented. It is recognized that as a result of limited mixing, local depletion may occur within these stocks and persist at least temporarily, and that management measures may be applied on a subregional scale, as demonstrated in the case of the PNA skipjack fishery Stock status The most recent stock assessments for yellowfin and bigeye were carried out in 2011 (Langley et al, 2011; Davies et al, 2011) and demonstrated that yellowfin stocks were neither subject to overfishing nor in a overfished state, and that bigeye continued to be subject to overfishing and were probably not in an overfished state, although that possibility existed in a small number of model runs. The table below summarizes key conclusions from those assessments, and the results of ten-year projections undertaken, based on existing fishery scenarios, to evaluate the Poseidon ARM Pre-assessment the Vietnam tuna fisheries 10