DEVELOPMENT OR FISHING/MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR NORTH ATLANTIC SWORDFISH Required by paragraph 3 of Rec. 13-02. Deadline 15 September 2014 Original languages: English, French and Spanish In 2012, the Secretariat developed a form to standardise the content of the swordfish development plans. For 2014, seven CPCs [China, EU, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Venezuela and Chinese Taipei] provided the reports in the Secretariat format within the deadline stipulated by the Recommendation, and these have been aggregated in Table 1 below. Reports were received after the deadline from France-St. Pierre y Miquelon, Senegal and United Kingdom Overseas Territories (Bermuda). Reports received late are contained in Annex 1, in original language only. Reports in text formats were received from a further three CPCs in 2014 within the deadline (Belize, Canada and United States), which are attached. Canada and USA have provided summaries for translation the full reports are available electronically in original language only as Annex 2. Table 1 Summary of North Swordfish Management Plans received in 2014 planned No. of CPC quota Fishery vessels Gear no. of (t) vessels Gear CHINA Yes 100 17 LL 95.95 17 LL 100 Planned management measures VMS: Vessels required to equip with VMS and report normally to government Tuna Logsheet: Vessels required to record catch data in Chinese Tuna Logsheet, a pocket book designed and printed by government distribute all vessels Observers: dispatch observers to monitor catch activities. Catch report: a Monthly catch report is required Statistical Document: when issuing SD,cross-check its vms, catch data, transhipment data and other relevant documents VMS: Vessels required to equip with VMS and report normally to government Tuna Logsheet: Vessels required to record catch data in Chinese Tuna Logsheet, a pocket book printed designed and printed by government Observers: dispatch observers to monitor catch activities Catch report: a Monthly catch report is required Statistical Document: when issuing SD,cross-check its vms, catch data, transhipment data and other relevant documents Page 1 of 17
CPC Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear planned no. of vessels Gear Planned EU-Portugal No 1325.88 57 LL 11142.03 46 LL 8425.27 EU-Spain Yes 6886.05 121 LL 6886 121 LL 6621 management measures Minimum size With the publication of the EU regulation nº 605/2013, 12 june, which obliges blue shark (Priconace glauca) and shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) to be landed with their fins naturally attached to the bodies, an important component in the activity of Portuguese surface longliners was lost. Therefore, these vessels had to change their fishing patterns and swordfish became the most important target species. As Portugal has a small quota for swordfish, a specific plan for the concerned fleet as well as a regulation to finance scrapping of longliners were adopted by national legislation (Ordinance nº 362-A/2013, 19 December) Censo Unificado de Palangre de Superficie (unica flota autorizada a captura SWO) Cuota individual por buque y condiciones para la transmisión de cuota por buque Planes de pesca anuales. Emisión de Permisos Temporales de Pesca por zona y buque. Medidas técnicas del arte de palangre de superficie (limitación de número y tamaño de anzuelos) Minimum size Se pretende el mantenimiento de las medidas anteriores, salvo la relativa a parada obligatoria. Page 2 of 17
CPC Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear planned no. of vessels Gear JAPAN Yes 842 245 LL 842 245 LL 842 Planned management measures Medidas de conservación: parada obligatoria de 90 días en tres años (2011-13), talla mínima con tolerancia del 15%. Medidas de control: ERS, preaviso de salida y llegada a puerto Japanese Fisheries Law has been prohibiting Japanese fishing vessels from fishing tuna on the high seas. Only fishing vessels with a fishing license issued by Japanese government can operate in high seas. The law also requires the Government to decide the maximum number of licenses to be issued and other fishing conditions. Japanese government ensures that fishing capacities have to be commensurate with its fishing opportunities as determined by tuna RFMOs such as ICCAT. Japanese swordfish catch is by-catch, which has been fluctuating year by year mainly due to the shift of the fishing ground for bigeye tuna. Japan, having no intention to increase north Atlantic swordfish catch as target species, needs flexibility to address this nature. For this purpose, special arrangements for Japan including a multi-year block quota, as provided in paragraph 7 of Recommendation 11-02, should be continued. Japan will continue to restrict the number of longliners. will be continued according to paragraph 7 of Recommendation 13-02 Page 3 of 17
CPC Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear planned no. of vessels KOREA Yes 50 14 LL Over 50t 14 LL Gear Planned management measures Japan has placed necessary observers onboard fishing vessels that is necessary for compliance with paragraph 8 of Recommendation 11-02. Japan has been properly reporting data on swordfish, which has been utilized in the stock assessment of north Atlantic swordfish. Japan has been monitoring, controlling and enforcing its all tuna vessels operating on the high seas with VMS, port inspection and so on. Fourteen Korean longline fishing vessels have targeted bigeye tuna and northen swordfish have been caught as bycatch. Compared to bigeye tuna quota(1983t), it is smaill amount of quota for northern swordfish(50t). In recent years, they have been forced to discard many northern swordfish regardless of live or dead condition. In doing so, they have been experiencing a difficulty in assorting and discarding swordfish on board. This takes time and cost to do that without a useful selective fishing gear. Finally, Korea is in a hope that its catch limit for the northern swordfish would be adjusted in a new multi-year conservation and management plan of the ICCAT in order to fully utilize the swordfish as much as possible and at the same time to avoid reckless discard practice of swordfish. Korea believes that this would be consistent with a reasonable This measure will be continued Japan will continue to instruct its fishermen to submit such data as in a timely fashion. Japan will continue to carry out MCS to comply with ICCAT measures. Page 4 of 17
CPC Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear MEXICO not reported 200 28 LL not reported planned no. of vessels Gear Planned 28 LL not reported MOROCCO Yes 850 425 LL 1000 425 LL 1000 400 HL 62 400 HL 62 management measures principle of an effective use and conservation of fisheries resources. Cobertura del 100% de las embarcaciones de pesca de atún con palangre en el Programa de Observadores a bordo en el Golfo de México. Se cuenta con la NOM-023-PESC-1996. Se está desarrollando un programa de manejo para el desarrollo de la pesquería de pez espada. Los niveles de captura de esta especie por la flota atunera-palangrera del Golfo de México son reducidos. Se captura de forma incidental por parte de la flota de atún con palangre en el Golfo de México. Promulgation d un Arrêté Ministériel N 1176-13 du 8 avril 2013 au Bulletin Officiel N 6144 du 18 avril 2013 régissant la pêche de l espadon de l Atlantique Nord et de la Méditerranée Marocaine Suivi et gestion de la consommation du quota alloué au Maroc par l CCAT au niveau central via les Délégations des Pêches Maritimes chargées du contrôle et établissement des certificats INN et l Office National des pêches chargé de la commercialisation El prohibir la captura y desembarque de pez espada con un peso vivo inferior a 25 kg, o con 125 cm de longitud de mandíbula inferior a la horquilla (LJFL). Suivi et évaluation de l'application des dispositions de l'iccat et de l'arrêté Ministériel N 1176-13 du 8 avril 2013 régissant la pêche de l espadon de l Atlantique Nord et de la Méditerranée Marocaine Page 5 of 17
CPC Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear planned no. of vessels Gear VENEZUELA No 85 -- -- -- -- -- -- Planned management measures Enregistrement sur le registre ICCAT des navires plus de 20m susceptibles de capturer l espadon de l atlantique Nord. Promulgation du Décret N 2-09-674 du 17 mars 2010 visant l obligation de disposer à bord, d un système de positionnement et de localisation, de tous les navires de pêche battant pavillon marocain opérant dans le cadre d une pêcherie faisant l objet de mesures de conservation et de gestion adoptées par des ORGPs Actualmente existe una zona de protección pesquera donde se prohíbe la pesca por parte embarcaciones comerciales y artesanales, salvo para una pequeña flota de 35 embarcaciones perteneciente al sector de Playa Verde, Estado Vargas. Solo se permitirá la captura incidental de esta especie en ejemplares cuya talla mínima sea: 125 cm de longitud, desde la mandíbula inferior hasta la horquilla o un peso superior de 25 kg. CHINESE TAIPEI Yes 270 88 LL 270 92 LL 270 Prior authorization by fleet and area. We limit the number of fishing vessels operating in the specific area. All vessels shall fish in fishing areas designated to the group they belong, and shall not fish in non-designated areas without prior authorization. We also prohibit vessels to fish in the Mediterranean sea Page 6 of 17
CPC CHINESE TAIPEI (cont) Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear planned no. of vessels Gear Planned management measures Catch limitation and individual quota and management of catch reports. The government allocates species-based fishing quota to individual fishing vessel. When the target specie (ie. albacore tuna) catch of an individual vessel has reached the quota allocated, the vessel should stop fishing immediately and must return to the designated port. If there is any further incidental catch of the species, it should be discarded. Management of positions of fishing vessels. All vessels are required to install satellite-based vessel monitoring system (VMS). The VMS on board shall be maintained functional at all times and transmit positions of the vessels to the VMS center every 6 hours. Management of catch reports: The government requires the captain of the fishing vessel to accurately fill in the catch logbook and weekly catch report, and the carbon-copied sheet of the complete catch logbook shall be maintained on board the vessel for at least 12 months. In case the fishing vessel enters into a port or has completed its transshipment, the fishery operator shall submit its catch logbook to the Fisheries Agency for record Management of catch statistical documents. When a fishing vessel wishes to sell specific catch, the vessel owner shall apply for the catch statistical Page 7 of 17
CPC Fishery quota (t) No. of vessels Gear planned no. of vessels Gear Planned management measures documents of the fish species, such as north Atlantic swordfish. The information on catch statistical document shall be verified against the data on weekly catch report. A fishing vessel shall not use the catch statistical document issued to another vessel. Observer program. Fishing vessels shall accept scientific observers on board appointed by the Fisheries Agency. Measures specified for swordfish.in compliance with the measure on the restrictions of minimum weight and size of swordfish under Recommendation 11-02, fishermen are required to release live undersize swordfish for rebuilding swordfish stock Page 8 of 17
BELIZE - Swordfish management plan Introduction This plan outlines Belize s involvement in the fishery Northern and Southern Swordfish in the ICCAT Convention Area and identifies its needs as a nation as well as its intention for its involvement over the next 3 years. Background Belize introduced its High Seas Fishing Act in 2003 to provide a legal basis for the regulation of the activities of its high seas fishing vessels. This Act embodies all the resolutions adopted by the various RFMOs and was intended to ensure compliance with all relevant conservation and management measures for the protection of the high seas resources. In November 2013, our High Seas Fishing Act was revised to further strengthen the management of the fleet which operates on the high seas. Pursuant to its adoption a new unit was established with the sole responsibility for regulation and control of the high seas fishing fleet. Belize has ratified the FAO Compliance Agreement, the Fish Stocks Agreement, the IPOA IUU and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the provisions of which have already been incorporated into Belize s High Seas Fishing Act 2013. It has also ratified the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC). Belize has also, pursuant to the adoption of its revised HSFA,2013, adopted a new Sanctions and Licensing Regulations. These actions formalize Belize s commitment to the elimination of activities which diminish the effectiveness of conservation and management measures. The fleet which fishes on the high seas is registered by the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) and is licensed by the Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit (BHSFU). Matters of policy are determined jointly by the Registrar of Ship and the Senior Deputy Registrar of IMMARBE and the Director of High Seas Fisheries of the BHSFU. Mission Belize aims to provide the best possible management of its fleet engaged in the swordfish fishery in the ICCAT Convention area in an effort to optimize future benefits through efficient and sustainable management. General Objective - To participate in the management and conservation of the swordfish resources in the ICCAT Convention Area by ensuring compliance with measures dealing with data collection, monitoring, control and surveillance so as to attain the best possible management of Belize s high seas fishing fleet. Specific Objectives - Seek to increase quota allocation to provide for expansion in Belize s swordfish fishery; - Continue diligent monitoring, controlling and surveillance of fishing vessels engaged in the exploitation of swordfish to ensure full compliance; - Continue to provide statistical data in a timely fashion to ICCAT in order to facilitate the scientific process and informed decision making concerning the management of the swordfish stocks. Page 9 of 17
Long term objective - Belize s long term objective is to build local capacity which would result in a higher level of income and expanded benefits for Belize. The Belizean Government currently has facilities in place for entrepreneurs who would seek to venture into new industries and the local encouragement will undoubtedly result in building of a locally owned fleet to engage in the Atlantic Swordfish fishery. Consequently, Belize s ability to secure additional quota allocations, in line with the vision of expansion, is paramount to its effective implementation. Resources Belize s High Seas Fishing Fleet is managed by the Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit (BHSFU) under the Ministry of Finance. Fishing vessels are monitored using a recently upgraded VMS which provides position reports every 4 hours. In late 2014 we expect to see the introduction of our electronic reporting system which will allow for 1 hour position reporting in addition to real time catch reporting. The High Seas Fisheries Act 2013 and its subsidiary regulations serves as the legal basis for the execution of the daily activities of the BHSFU, as well as the regulatory control over Belize flagged fishing vessels. We also expect to see the adoption of our new Fisheries Resources Bill for domestic fisheries in late 2014 which will repeal current outdated domestic fisheries legislations. The adoption of our new HSFA now provides the legal framework for the establishment and implementation of our observer program and our port inspection program which are both important features of an effective monitoring, control and surveillance program. Fishery Belize currently has 27 vessels operating in the ICCAT convention area, which represents 32% of our operational fleet. 21 of vessels operating in this area target tuna and tuna like species and 3 of these vessels participate in direct swordfish fishery. Northern Swordfish To date, Belize has 2 long line vessels between 300-500 gt targeting Northern Swordfish. Southern Swordfish In 2012 Belize had 2 long line vessels between 300-500 gt targeting Southern Swordfish. Belize expects to introduce 8 new long line fishing vessels between 300-500 gross tons to engage in the Swordfish Fishery in this area over the next 3 years. Quota As a result of attaining Contracting Party Status of ICCAT in July 2005 and our subsequent membership of Panel 1, 2, 3 and 4, Belize obtained the following quota allocations: Northern Swordfish Southern Swordfish 130 m/t 125 m/t Page 10 of 17
It must be noted that Belize s current quota allocations for both Northern and Southern Swordfish is fully utilized by the 5 vessels targeting these species as is evident from the data in the table below: N. Swo 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Initial Quota 130 130 130 130 130 130 Adjusted Quota 195 195 195 195 195 195 Catches 1 112 106 184 141 S. Swo Initial Quota 150 150 125 125 125 125 Adjusted Quota - 210 187.5 129 159 150 Catches 32 111 121 206 197 Management Measures There are 2 long line tuna vessels that are currently engaged in the fishing for Northern and Southern Atlantic Swordfish in the ICCAT Convention area. These vessels are subject to the following management measures: - Monitoring, control and surveillance achieved through the use of a VMS. All vessels are required to install a satellite based vessel monitoring system regardless of size. The VMS on board is required to be maintained functional at all times whether at sea or in port. Transmission of position reports are carried out every 4 hours. The VMS also allows Belize s monitoring personnel to assign certain vessels to specific geographical regions and the system generates notifications if a vessel ventures outside its designated area. Vessels that operate outside their authorized areas of operation are considered to have violated our regulations and are subject to disciplinary actions in accordance with our legislations which can range between prohibitions from sailing, suspension of fishing authorization, imposition of a fine or for repeated offenses, deregistration. - Regular catch and effort reporting catch reports are scrutinized thoroughly to ensure that fishing was conducted in compliance with the licenses granted to the vessel. Failure to submit required reports will result in the suspension of the vessel s fishing authorization, imposition of fines or possible deregistration for repeated violations. Belize will introduce its electronic reporting system during the second half of 2014. - Observation of transhipment at sea through the ICCAT ROP program - Transport vessels that will engage in the carriage of marine resources will now be placed on the relevant RFMO list of authorized vessels regardless of species to be transported. All transhipment activities by these vessels are subject to prior approval by the Belize Administration and all reports of the activities from commencement of transhipment to the transport to final destination and discharge reports are required to be submitted to us. Transshipment at sea not regulated by an RFMO ROP are prohibited and shall be conducted only at port upon prior approval form the Administration. - Logbook program logbooks are required to be completed during the entire year of operation. Copies of the logbook sheets are required to be submitted upon demand or after every voyage. The completed logbook is returned to our Administration for final consolidation of data together with our fishing log and fishing vessel voyage reports which are collected on a monthly basis - Licensing Regulation with the adoption of our new HSFA, 2013 we were able to also adopt a licensing regulation to further strengthen our licensing regime. Page 11 of 17
- Sanction Regulation with the adoption of our new HSFA, 2013 we were also able to adopt a new robust and comprehensive sanction regulation that will also for us to take administrative measures against any vessel, owner, operator or crew who contravenes our legislations and established conservation and management measures. - Belize introduced a new high seas fisheries fleet policy which allows for the restructure of our fleet size and capacity with institutional capacity available to effectively execute our monitoring, control and surveillance measures. - We have established a Fisheries Monitoring Centre within the corporate structure of the Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit. This now allow for exclusive monitoring of our fleet which operates globally. - A new allocation system has been introduced which will allow for the following vessels which surpass their annual quota will see a reduction in their next annual allocation reduced by the same amount. Vessels that do not harvest their entire quota allocation will not be allowed to carry over any un-harvested quotas, only under force majeure. All transfers of quota between vessels need to be authorized. Quota allocation will only be granted after a thorough review of the vessel s previous activities and quota utilization. Vessels without an allocation can only accidentally catch up to 10 m/t of this species. Vessels are required to report their catches monthly to ensure no overuse of quota. When a vessel reaches its quota limits it is required to stop fishing immediately and must return to port. A prohibition from sailing is immediately issued to the vessel; therefore vessel must remain at port until further notice. During this time vessel operators are expected to ensure that their VMS units remain functional so that proper monitoring on their vessel can be conducted. - Belize prohibits the registration or licensing of vessels to fish for Mediterranean Swordfish. In an effort to further strengthen our management measures Belize plans to introduce the following measures. - Implementation of our at sea observer program. Belize has signed a contract with CAPFISH of South Africa for the provision of our at sea observer program. The implementation date for this program was 1 st April 2014. - Introduction of electronic catch reporting system via our vessel monitoring system, this will allow, among others, for the submission of real time information on catches as well as hourly reporting for the vessels. This is expected to be implemented by the second half of 2014. - Inspection of discharges at port By the second half of 2014 we expect to have implemented a Port Inspection Program where our vessels will be subject to port inspection of their discharges by our authorized fisheries inspectors. - We will shortly adopt our monitoring, control and surveillance regulations. - We will shortly adopt our National Plan of Action for IUU - We shall continue to implement agreed management measures. Page 12 of 17
Projected Needs Explained Since the attainment of ICCAT Contracting Party Status in July 2005, Belize has seen a gradual reduction in its quota allocation as the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and total allowable catch (TAC) for both swordfish species have been revised. This is currently restricting the development of Belize s swordfish fishery and the decrease has been endured despite our growing need for additional quotas as a developing coastal State. It is noteworthy that Belize s current quota allocation is not conducive to a 100% operation by our vessels. Belize would like to enable these vessels to increase their operational capacity to ensure the sustainability of their fishing operations and to introduce 8 new long line vessels into this area over the course of 3 years. The new vessels will be of similar GT and holding capacity as the existing vessels. Our projected needs for quotas to sustain these new vessels as well are current vessels are detailed below Quota Request In consideration of the ICCAT Criteria for the Allocation of Fishing Possibilities (01-25), based on current and historical catches, Belize hereby requests the following allocation for swordfish: Northern Swordfish: Requesting a new national quota allocation of 380 metric tons Belize currently has 2 long line fishing vessels over 300 gt targeting Northern Swordfish which equally share 130 m/t. Belize plans on introducing 3 new vessels of similar GT and capacity over the next 3 years following any quota increase. These vessels are expected to fish an additional 195 m/t of this species. Furthermore, there are 10 vessels which catch this species as a bycatch and they will require 55 m/t to accommodate their fishing operations without impacting the catch limits allocated to vessels with a directed fishery of this species. This Plan will therefore require an increase of 250 m/t of Northern Atlantic Swordfish to be effected accordingly. Southern Swordfish: Requesting a new national quota allocation of 425 metric tons Belize currently has a quota allocation of 125 m/t for Southern Swordfish. The 3 vessels that engage in this fishery cannot operate at 100% capacity because of the limited quota available. An additional 40 m/t will enable these vessels to increase their operating capacity and efficiency in order to guarantee the sustainability of their fishing operations. Belize also plans on introducing 5 new vessels of similar GT and capacity over the course of the next 3 years following any quota increase. This will require an additional increase of 210 m/t to accommodate the introduction of these new vessels. Additionally, there are 5 vessels that catch this species as a bycatch, and they will require 50 m/t to accommodate their operations without impacting the catch limits allocated to vessels with a directed fishery of this specie. Therefore a total increase of 300 m/t of southern swordfish will be required to facilitate this expansion of Belize s swordfish fishery. Species quota Additional Quota Bycatch request Proposed New (MT) Request (MT) (MT) Total Quota (MT) N. Swordfish 130 195 55 380 S. Swordfish 125 250 50 425 Additional socio-economic considerations and proposed approach Over the years, Belize has proven itself to be a responsible Flag State in managing its fleet in accordance with all ICCAT resolutions and recommendations and has fully respected quota allocations. Being a developing nation, our economy is largely dependent on the Agriculture and Fisheries sector and our high seas fishery makes an important contribution to this end. Belize is Page 13 of 17
cognizant of our request for more quotas at a time when the swordfish TAC must be reduced. However, in an effort to aid our continued development, we take this opportunity to remind the Commission of the need for Developed nations who have enjoyed the use of this resource for many years, to transfer some of their own quotas to facilitate the needs of Developing States such as Belize. This has been acknowledged during previous Commission meetings as a necessary step towards achieving greater equitability in quota allocations. It is noteworthy that Belize s fleet has historically utilized 100 % of its swordfish allocations; however, our swordfish fleet is forced to operate at less than 100% capacity due to quota restrictions. Therefore, it is essential that our additional quota requirements be granted in order to ensure the sustainability and viability of our high seas fishing operations, and the realization of Belize s development needs in respect of Atlantic swordfish fishery. CANADA Swordfish Fishery Management Plan: 2014 ICCAT Recommendation 11-02 requires each Contracting Party, and Cooperating non-contracting Party, Entity or Fishing Entity to annually submit to the Secretariat by September 15, its swordfish development or fishing/management plan. This document describes the history, management, socioeconomic and future aspirations of the Canadian North Atlantic Swordfish fishery. Executive Summary Canada s history of fishing North Atlantic swordfish dates back to the 1880s. Today, this fishery continues to be socially and economically important to communities throughout Atlantic Canada. Canada s 2014 initial allocation of North Atlantic swordfish was 1,348 metric tonnes; of which 90% was allocated to its longline fleet targeting North Atlantic swordfish, and the remaining 10% to its harpoon fleet targeting North Atlantic swordfish. Canada s offshore tuna fleet is also allocated 5t for swordfish bycatch. There is no recreational or sportfish component to this fishery. Canada s capacity to harvest its quota share is well documented. Average annual landings have totalled 100% of Canada s annual allocations during the past 5 years. Since 2007, Canada has been allocated 8.8% of the total ICCAT quota. Nevertheless, as the recipient of quota transfers, Canada has accounted for approximately 12 of all North Atlantic swordfish harvested over the past 5 years. In fact, the Canadian fleet, which has been reduced significantly over the years in order to respect ICCAT quotas, is only able to harvest during a 3-month season before exhausting its quota share despite North Atlantic swordfish being present in significant numbers in Canadian waters throughout the year. As the foundation for reliable research and stock assessments, Canada collects, among other things, catch and effort data for all fishing trips. Beginning in 1996, an industry-funded Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) was instituted in Atlantic Canada to provide independent third party verification of logbook submissions. Canada s DMP is conducted by certified agents who oversee all offloads of swordfish in Atlantic Canada as well as enter logbook data into a central database. The DMP ensures that precise and reliable information is collected on the number of fish caught, their weight, effort, environmental conditions, and other vital statistics. This data is available in real-time to fisheries managers, scientists, and enforcement officers. Due to the requirement for all logbook data to be uploaded prior to the commencement of their next fishing trip, Canada has 100% logbook coverage for its fleets targeting North Atlantic swordfish. Page 14 of 17
Canada s comprehensive approach to enforcement also includes the requirement for VMS on all longline vessels, despite only one of Canada s 77 pelagic longline vessels being over 20 meters in length and thus subject to ICCAT s VMS measure. / The Conservation and Protection Program of DFO fly approximately 300 aerial surveillance flights a year in areas where swordfish fishing activities are occurring. In 2013 fishery officers spent approximately 1100 hours inspecting over 200 swordfish fishing vessels. In addition officers inspected over 50 swordfish buying/processing facilities and conducted audits of the dockside Monitoring Program in that fishery. At-sea observers are targeted for deployment on 5% - 10% of swordfish fishing trips despite no ICCAT requirements for observers onboard swordfish vessels smaller than 20 meters. As of 2012, in recognition of the strong management regime which is in place for these fisheries in Canada, both the longline and harpoon fleets targeting North Atlantic swordfish have been awarded Marine Stewardship Council certification. Canada is the first ICCAT member to obtain this certification for its entire swordfish fleet. UNITED STATES Development/Management Plan for the United States Swordfish Fishery Prepared Pursuant to ICCAT Recommendation 13-02 Executive Summary ICCAT Recommendation 13-02 renewed the requirement for each CPC to submit its development or fishing/management plan to the Commission by September 15 of each year. This document describes the history, future development, management, and socio-economic aspects of the U.S. North Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fishery. The conservation and management of U.S. Atlantic swordfish fisheries since 1985 five years before active management by ICCAT has been defined by a comprehensive suite of ecosystem-based measures that go beyond the requirements of ICCAT recommendations. These measures have been developed following the results and advice from scientific studies with the goal of developing and maintaining a sustainable swordfish fishery. The U.S. commercial swordfish fishery is quota managed and operated under a permit program. There are no trip limits for directed commercial swordfish permit holders, and there is a trip limit of 30 swordfish per trip for incidental swordfish permit holders. The United States commercial swordfish fishermen may only sell to permitted swordfish dealers, and reporting in a logbook is mandatory for limited access permit holders. All importers, exporters, and re-exporters of swordfish are required to obtain an International Trade Permit and submit bi-weekly reports. All pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Gulf of Mexico must use weak hooks to reduce bycatch of bluefin tuna. In addition, all pelagic longline vessels are required to have a functioning vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit onboard and are subject to mandatory observer coverage. The U.S. observer coverage target for this fishery is eight percent of all fishing sets in each area/quarter strata; actual coverage in 2013 was 14.6 percent overall. The United States has implemented several time/area closures for pelagic longline gear to minimize bycatch mortality of juvenile swordfish and other highly migratory and protected species. The United States has implemented sea turtle protection measures including the use of dipnets and line cutters to release turtles, gangion lengths must be 110 percent of the length of the floatline in sets of 100 meters or less in depth, sea turtle guidelines for safe handling and release must be posted inside the wheelhouse, and fishermen must use corrodible circle hooks on all pelagic longline vessels. In addition, all U.S. longline vessel owners and operators must attend mandatory workshops to learn to carefully release and handle sea turtles and other protected species. Page 15 of 17
Recreational swordfish fishermen must have an Angling or Charter/Headboat permit and the sale of recreational landings of swordfish is prohibited. Recreational trip limits for swordfish include one per person up to four per trip. In addition, charter boats and headboats may retain one swordfish per paying passenger for a total of up to six and 15 swordfish, respectively. Recreational fishermen are required to report all non-tournament swordfish landings and tournament operators, if selected, must report tournament swordfish landings. If a tournament is not selected, vessel owners are responsible for reporting their swordfish landings. The United States has also implemented extensive scientific programs to support the collection of reliable fishery data, participation in stock assessments, and innovative research on swordfish biology, life history, and fishing techniques to reduce bycatch. These actions support our efforts to prevent and eliminate overfishing and excess fishing capacity, while ensuring that levels of fishing effort are commensurate with the ICCAT objective of achieving and maintaining a swordfish biomass that can support MSY. Together, they help ensure the sustainability of the swordfish stock and support an ecosystem-based approach to management. Several U.S. domestic management measures (e.g., gear requirements, time/area closures, bycatch mitigation) have temporarily affected the ability of the U.S. fleet to fully harvest its ICCAT allocation. For example, as a responsible steward of the Florida Straits swordfish nursery grounds, U.S. actions to reduce fishing effort by our fleet in this area reduced mortality on both immature and mature swordfish. Such actions resulted in substantial declines in U.S. catches during the first part of the last decade (2001-2006), which were further exacerbated by natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. However, these same measures also resulted in a significant U.S. contribution to the health and rebuilding of the North Atlantic swordfish stock and the associated marine ecosystem, to the ultimate benefit of all ICCAT members that fish for this stock. Ecosystem based management plays a key role in the sustainability of fisheries. It is a challenging but essential task to achieve broad ecosystem conservation and management objectives while preserving a viable fishery. As this document will demonstrate, the United States is taking its ocean stewardship responsibilities seriously. While ICCAT has taken some steps aimed at addressing certain ecosystem matters, in particular with regard to bycatch, the United States has gone beyond those requirements, and we are implementing measures designed to ensure the health of both the swordfish stock and the fishery. It is important for ICCAT and other RFMOs to encourage these kinds of efforts by their members in order to ensure sustainable fisheries and healthy ecosystems. Since the North Atlantic stock of swordfish was declared rebuilt, the United States has been fully committed to the revitalization of our swordfish fishery and has made significant efforts over the past few years to restructure its fisheries and adjust regulatory constraints on its swordfish fishery in light of the new circumstances. These measures are designed to increase swordfish landings while ensuring that the fishery complies with U.S. laws and regulations, including those aimed at preserving the longterm sustainability of the stock, and ICCAT requirements. Notably, in 2013, the Marine Stewardship Council certified the U.S. North Atlantic Swordfish fishery. Page 16 of 17
As a result of swordfish revitalization efforts, the U.S. swordfish fishery demonstrated increasing trends in catch through 2012, when they were at the highest level since 2000. The United States swordfish catches in 2013 were 2,955 mt, a decrease from 2012 but higher than 2006-2011 levels. We continue efforts to move toward fully harvesting our swordfish allocation while using best fishing practices to protect juvenile swordfish and conserve other marine species. In further support of these efforts, the United States published a final rule on August 21, 2013, to implement a new open access commercial vessel permit to retain and sell a limited number of swordfish caught on rod and reel, handline, harpoon, greenstick, and bandit gear. This new swordfish permit will provide additional opportunities for U.S. fishermen to commercially harvest swordfish, using selective gears that have very low levels of bycatch, given the rebuilt status of the swordfish and their increased availability. Impacts of this final rule will not begin to be evident until catch data for 2014 are available. In summary, the United States has chosen to pursue a prudent and deliberate strategy of allowing an incremental increase in Atlantic swordfish fishing effort to ensure an environmentally and economically sustainable fishery while preserving its record of strong sustainable management of the fishery, including through implementation of all ICCAT recommendations. U.S. swordfish landings have been increasing since 2006 due to efforts to revitalize this fishery in a responsible manner, and we are now experiencing almost complete use of our base quota from ICCAT. Our approach to the management of this fishery supported ICCAT s rebuilding efforts and is now helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the stock in accordance with the objectives of the Convention. The United States looks forward to continuing its active participation in this socially and economically important fishery. To that end, this document describes the interests, fishing patterns, and fishing practices of the U.S. Atlantic swordfish fleet past, present, and future. Page 17 of 17