United States: North Atlantic Greenstick, Buoy gear Fisheries Standard Version F2

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Monterey Bay Aquarium United States: North Atlantic Greenstick, Buoy gear Fisheries Standard Version F2 March 12, 2015 (updated December 14, 2016) Seafood Watch Consulting Researchers Disclaimer Seafood Watch strives to have all Seafood Reports reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science and aquaculture. Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch program or its recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

Table of Contents About Seafood Watch........................................................................................................................ Guiding Principles........................................................................................................................ Summary........................................................................................................................ Final Seafood Recommendations........................................................................................................................ Introduction........................................................................................................................ Assessment........................................................................................................................ Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment..................................................................................................................... Criterion 2: Impacts on other species..................................................................................................................... Criterion 3: Management ness..................................................................................................................... Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem..................................................................................................................... Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................ References........................................................................................................................ 3 4 5 6 7 12 12 18 22 29 32 33 2

About Seafood Watch Monterey Bay Aquarium s Seafood Watch program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from www.seafoodwatch.org. The program s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of Best Choices, Good Alternatives or Avoid. The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch s sustainability recommendations and the underlying Seafood Reports will be updated to reflect these changes. Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Reports in any way they find useful. For more information about Seafood Watch and Seafood Reports, please contact the Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium by calling 1-877-229-9990. 3

Guiding Principles Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished 1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Based on this principle, Seafood Watch had developed four sustainability criteria for evaluating wildcatch fisheries for consumers and businesses. These criteria are: How does fishing affect the species under assessment? How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species? How effective is the fishery s management? How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem? Each criterion includes: Factors to evaluate and score Guidelines for integrating these factors to produce a numerical score and rating Once a rating has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommendation. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and online guide: Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife. Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they re caught. Avoid/Red Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment. 1 Fish is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates 4

Summary This report focuses on the U.S. Atlantic buoy gear fishery for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and the greenstick fisheries for bigeye (Thunnus obesus), blackfin (Thunnus atlanticus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). These two gear types were developed to reduce the incidental capture of vulnerable species typical in longline fisheries. Skipjack and swordfish populations are all healthy but yellowfin tuna are overfished, but not undergoing overfishing. The status of blackfin tuna is unknown. Bigeye tuna are overfished and undergoing overfishing. Buoy and greenstick gears are not longline gear but their own unique gear. They have very little bycatch associated with them and no impact to the bottom habitats. These two fisheries are managed in U.S. domestic waters by the National Marine Fisheries Service. However, management does not currently take into account ecosystem impacts from these fisheries. 5

Final Seafood Recommendations SPECIES/FISHERY CRITERION 1: IMPACTS ON THE SPECIES CRITERION 2: IMPACTS ON OTHER SPECIES CRITERION 3: MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS CRITERION 4: HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM OVERALL RECOMMENDATION Bigeye tuna United States North Atlantic, Greenstick Blackfin tuna United States North Atlantic, Greenstick Skipjack tuna United States North Atlantic, Greenstick Yellow fin tuna United States North Atlantic, Greenstick Sw ordfish United States North Atlantic, Buoy gear Red (1.414) Yellow (2.644) Green (3.873) Green (3.873) Good Alternative (2.736) Yellow (2.644) Red (1.414) Green (3.873) Green (3.873) Good Alternative (2.736) Green (3.831) Red (1.414) Green (3.873) Green (3.873) Good Alternative (3.002) Yellow (2.709) Red (1.414) Green (3.873) Green (3.873) Good Alternative (2.753) Green (4.472) Yellow (2.124) Green (4.472) Green (3.873) Best Choice (3.581) Scoring Guide Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact. Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4). Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score >2.2-3.2, and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High 2, and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores Avoid/Red = Final Score 2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores. 2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High for either factor under Management (Criterion 3). 6

Introduction Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation This report focuses on the buoy gear fishery that targets swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and greenstick gear that captures several tuna species, including bigeye (Thunnus obesus), blackfin (Thunnus atlanticus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. Species Overview Blackfin tuna are only found in the western Atlantic in pelagic waters from Massachusetts south to Trinidad and Brazil. Blackfin tuna are known to form mixed schools with skipjack tuna. Spawning seems to occur in offshore waters (Froese and Pauly 2013). Bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, and skipjack and yellowfin are also found in the Mediterranean (ICCAT 2012a). There are four populations of bigeye and yellowfin and five for skipjack: Western and Central Pacific Ocean, Eastern Pacific Ocean, Atlantic (eastern and western for skipjack) and Indian Ocean. Juvenile yellowfin tuna and juvenile bigeye tuna tend to form schools with skipjack tuna that are mostly found in surface waters. Larger tunas are found in subsurface waters where they also form schools (ICCAT 2012a). Globally, longlines capture the majority of bigeye tuna and purse seines capture the majority of skipjack and yellowfin tuna (ISSF 2013). Swordfish is a widely distributed billfish species, found globally from 50 N to 50 S and throughout the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Spawning occurs in tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic. There are three management units for swordfish: North and South Atlantic, and Mediterranean. There is some genetic evidence for these units as distinct populations, although mixing between the populations likely occurs (ICCAT 2012a). Longlines are the most common fishing gear used to capture swordfish worldwide (ISSF 2013b). These species are managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service in U.S. domestic waters. Production Statistics Longline is the primary gear used to catch swordfish in the North Atlantic and worldwide, but other surface gears, such as handlines and harpoon, are used. Peak catches of swordfish in the Atlantic (20,236 t) occurred in 1987 but catches have averaged around 11,551 t for the past 10 years. The introduction of quotas, the movement of some fleets into the South Atlantic, and changes to the target species account for most of the decreases in catch (ICCAT 2012a). Buoy gear catches of swordfish have ranged from 122,700 lbs to 183,982 lbs between 2007 and 2012 (NOAA 2014). Information on catches specific to greenstick gear are not available due to issues with reporting (NMFS 2012a). Blackfin tuna catches peaked during the mid-1990s at 4,488 t, and since 2003, catches have been below 2,000 t. The U.S. has reported between 200 t and 600 t since 1993 (ICCAT 2012a). Bigeye tuna are principally caught by longlines, but also by purse seines and bait boat fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. Other surface gears, such as troll and pole, only catch a small portion of the total catch. For example, in 2013 only 740 t of bigeye tuna were caught by other surface gears. Peak catches of bigeye tuna occurred in 2001 (100,000 t) and catches have been declining since, to 63,066 t in 2013 (ICCAT 2014). In the Western Atlantic, bait boats catch the majority of skipjack tuna. Other surface gear fisheries (i.e., troll and pole) catch a small amount of skipjack tuna. In 2011, 326 t of skipjack tuna were caught by other surface 7

gears in the Western Atlantic. Total catches of skipjack tuna in the western Atlantic during 2013 were 17,996 t (ICCAT 2014). The primary gear used to capture yellowfin tuna is longlines in the Western Atlantic. By 2007, catches of yellowfin tuna throughout the Atlantic had declined by nearly 50%, from 194,000 t in 1990 to 100,000 t. In recent years, catches have begun to increase again. Total catches of yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic during 2013 were 92,615 t (ICCAT 2014). Figure 1 Swordfish catches in the Atlantic Ocean between 1950 and 2013 (ICCAT 2014). Figure 2 Yellowfin tuna catches in the Atlantic Ocean between 1950 and 2013 (ICCAT 2014). 8

Figure 3 Skipjack tuna catches in the Atlantic Ocean between 1950 and 2013 (ICCAT 2014) Figure 4 Bigeye catches in the Atlantic Ocean between 1950 and 2013 (ICCAT 2014). 9

Figure 5 Blackfin tuna catches in the Atlantic Ocean between 1950 and 2013 (ICCAT 2014). Importance to the US/North American market. Bigeye tuna were primarily imported from South Korea (32%), followed by Brazil (24%) in 2013 (NMFS 2014). Figure 6 Major contributors to US bigeye tuna imports (%), ICCAT Convention Area (country of origin) (NMFS 2014) Skipjack tuna imports dropped from 24,128 t in 2011 to 17,635 in 2012. The United States imported almost all of its skipjack tuna from Mexico (84%) during 2012 (NMFS 2014). Figure 7 Major contributors to US skipjack tuna imports (%), ICCAT Convention Area (country of origin) (NMFS 2014) 10

During 2013, yellowfin tuna were primarily imported from the Philippines (24%), followed by Trinidad and Tobago (18%) (NFMS 2014). Figure 8 Major contributors to US yellowfin tuna imports (%), ICCAT Convention Area (country of origin) (NMFS 2014) The United States imports the largest portion of its swordfish from Ecuador (24%) (NMFS 2014). Figure 9 Major contributors to US swordfish tuna imports (%), ICCAT Convention Area (country of origin) (NMFS 2014). Common and market names. In Hawaii, bigeye and yellowfin tuna are known as Ahi, and skipjack is known as Aku. Swordfish is also known as broadbilled swordfish, broadbill, espada, and emperado. Blackfin tuna has no other accepted names. Primary product forms These species are sold in fresh and frozen form and for the sushi and sashimi markets. 11

Assessment This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available at http://www.seafoodwatch.org. Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing rating influences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown. The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score 2.2=Red or High Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical Criterion 1 Summary BIGEYE TUNA Region / Method United States/North Atlantic Greenstick Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score 2.00: Medium 2.00: High 1.00: High Red (1.414) BLACKFIN TUNA Region / Method United States/North Atlantic Greenstick Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.33: Moderate Yellow (2.644) SKIPJACK TUNA Region / Method Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score United States/North Atlantic Greenstick 2.00: Medium 4.00: Low 3.67: Low Green (3.831) SWORDFISH Region / Method United States/North Atlantic Buoy gear Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score 2.00: Medium 4.00: Low 5.00: Very Low Green (4.472) 12

YELLOWFIN TUNA Region / Method Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score United States/North Atlantic Greenstick 2.00: Medium 2.00: High 3.67: Low Yellow (2.709) The status of blackfin tuna populations is unknown. Yellowfin tuna are overfished but no longer undergoing overfishing. Bigeye tuna populations are overfished and undergoing overfishing. However, skipjack tuna and swordfish populations appear to be healthy. Criterion 1 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability Low The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 0-35, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it resilient to fishing, (e.g., early maturing). Medium The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 36-55, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it neither particularly vulnerable nor resilient to fishing, (e.g., moderate age at sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderate maximum size, and middle of food chain). High The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 56-100, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make is particularly vulnerable to fishing, (e.g., long-lived (>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduction rate, large body size, and top-predator). Note: The FishBase vulnerability scores is an index of the inherent vulnerability of marine fishes to fishing based on life history parameters: maximum length, age at first maturity, longevity, growth rate, natural mortality rate, fecundity, spatial behaviors (e.g., schooling, aggregating for breeding, or consistently returning to the same sites for feeding or reproduction) and geographic range. Factor 1.2 - Abundance 5 (Very Low ) Strong evidence exists that the population is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass. 4 (Low ) Population may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished 3 (Moderate ) Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. 2 (High ) Population is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing. 1 (Very High ) Population is listed as threatened or endangered. Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality 5 (Very Low ) Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribution to the mortality of species is negligible ( 5% of a sustainable level of fishing mortality). 3.67 (Low ) Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fishery does not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribution to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality is unknown, but the population is healthy and the species has a low susceptibility to the fishery (low chance of being caught). 13

2.33 (Moderate ) Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has a moderate-high susceptibility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place. 1 (High ) Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species is depleted, and no management is in place. 0 (Critical) Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing. BIGEYE TUNA Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Medium FishBase assigned a high to very high vulnerability of 72 out of 100 (Froese and Pauly 2013). However, bigeye tuna s life history characteristics suggest a medium vulnerability to fishing. For example, bigeye tuna reach sexual maturity around the time they reach a size of 100 125 cm; they reach a maximum of 200 cm and live around 11 years (Davies et al. 2011) (Froese et al. 2013). They are broadcast spawners and top predators (Froese and Pauly 2013). These life history characteristics result in a medium vulnerability. Factor 1.2 - Abundance UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK High Bigeye tuna in the Atlantic were last assessed in 2015. Several models were used in this assessment. The Stock Synthesis model indicates the biomass has decreased over time and fell below levels necessary to produce the maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) in 2010. The Age Structured Production Model indicated the ratio of the biomass in 2014 to that needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (B2014/BMSY) ranged between 0.554 and 1.225. The Virtual Population Analysis also indicated the population is overfished (ICCAT 2015a). The current status is assessed to be overfished based on the most plausible model runs (0.48-1.20). We have awarded a high concern score because there is evidence the population of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic is overfished. Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK High According to the Age Structured Production model used in the 2015 assessment, the ratio of fishing mortality in 2014 to that needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (F2014/FMSY) ranged from 0.576 to 1.436, indicating that overfishing may be occurring. According to the stock synthesis model, the F2014/FMSY ratio appears to have decreased in recent years to below 1, suggesting overfishing is not occurring. The Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) base model indicated overfishing is not occurring, although some model runs indicated overfishing is occurring (the VPA results were sensitive to the values used for recruitment) (ICCAT 2015a). Based on the most plausible model runs (0.62 1.85) there is an indication that overfishing is occurring (ICCAT 2015a). As some models indicate overfishing is occurring, we have awarded high concern. 14

BLACKFIN TUNA Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Medium FishBase assigned a moderate vulnerability score of 41 out of 100 (Froese and Pauly 2013). Blackfin tuna is a small tuna species that reaches sexual maturity by 50 cm length and 3 years of age. The maximum length attained is around 108 cm and they live to around 5 years. Blackfin tuna are broadcast spawners and high level predators in the ecosystem (Froese and Pauly 2014). These life history characteristics also suggest a medium vulnerability. Factor 1.2 - Abundance UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Moderate In Atlantic waters, blackfin tuna are assessed along with 13 other small tuna species. Currently, there is not enough information to conduct a full assessment of this group (ICCAT 2012a). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), blackfin tuna is a species of Least, with a stable population trend, and is considered one of the most common tuna species in the western Atlantic (Collette et al. 2011a). They receive a score of moderate concern because information on their status is unknown and they have a moderate vulnerability to fishing pressure. Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Moderate During a pilot program for greenstick gear, blackfin tuna represented almost 10% of the total catch (NOAA 2014). They are caught by a variety of gears but there is no indication that overfishing is occurring (Collette et al. 2011a). Blackfin tuna makes up a small proportion of small tuna catches in the Atlantic Ocean. No assessment has been conducted due to a lack of data. Landings have been variable over the years, peaking in the early 1990s but showing no consistent trend over time (ICCAT 2012a). It receives a score of moderate concern because information on fishing mortality is not available. SKIPJACK TUNA Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Medium FishBase assigned a moderate vulnerability score of 39 out of 100 (Froese and Pauly 2013). Skipjack lifehistory characteristics support this score. Sexual maturity is reached around 45 cm length or 2 years old, and skipjack can reach a maximum size of 110 cm and age of 12 years. It is a broadcast spawner and has a high trophic level (Froese and Pauly 2013). 15

Factor 1.2 - Abundance UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Low Stock assessments for skipjack tuna are difficult to employ due to its biology and fishery characteristics. In the Atlantic Ocean, eastern and western stocks of skipjack tuna are assessed. According to the most recent assessment in 2014, the biomass in the eastern region is likely above target levels (biomass needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) and the biomass in the western region is probably 30% above the level needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (B2013/BMSY = 1.3). Both populations are not overfished (ICCAT 2014). The high level of uncertainty associated with this assessment precludes a score of very low concern, so this factor rates as low concern. Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Low Stock assessments for skipjack tuna are difficult to conduct based on their life history and the fishery characteristics. The last assessment in the Atlantic was conducted in 2014 for eastern and western populations. The assessment determined that the fishing mortality rate (F2013) in the western Atlantic was likely 30% below the level needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) (F2013/FMSY = 0.70) (ICCAT 2014). Because the population appears to be sustainably fished but there is some uncertainty surrounding the results, this factor scores as low concern rather than very low concern. SWORDFISH Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Medium FishBase assigned a high to very high vulnerability of 72 out of 100 (Froese and Pauly 2013). However, the life history characteristics of swordfish indicate a lower vulnerability to fishing. For example, swordfish reach sexual maturity at around 180 cm in length and around 5 years of age, and they reach a maximum length of 455 cm and live more than 10 years. Swordfish are broadcast spawners and are top predators (Froese and Pauly 2013). This is more indicative of a medium vulnerability to fishing. Factor 1.2 - Abundance UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Low The last assessment for swordfish in the North Atlantic was conducted in 2013. The population of swordfish in the North Atlantic is estimated at or above levels needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) and the population is not overfished. The results from this assessment were quite similar to those from the previous 2009 assessment (ICCAT 2013). However, there is some concern surrounding the size structure of the population (ICCAT 2013), so this factor scores as low concern rather than very low concern. 16

Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Very Low Fishing mortality of swordfish in the North Atlantic has been below levels needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) since 2000 and overfishing is not currently occurring. Fishing mortality peaked in 1995 and has shown a downward trend since, with a slight increase from 2002 to 2005 (ICCAT 2013). Because fishing levels on swordfish are sustainable, this results in a score of very low concern. YELLOWFIN TUNA Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Medium FishBase assigned a moderate vulnerability score of 46 out of 100 (Froese and Pauly 2013). Yellowfin tuna reaches sexual maturity around 100 cm in length and 2 5 years of age. A maximum length of 140 150 cm can be attained and it can live 8 9 years. It is a broadcast spawner and a high-level predator in the ecosystem (Froese and Pauly 2014)(ICCAT 2014). These life history characteristics also support a medium level of vulnerability. Factor 1.2 - Abundance UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK High Yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean was last assessed in 2016. The population is currently estimated to be about 5% below Convention objectives (B 2014/B MSY = 0.95 (0.71 1.36)), with a 45.5% chance that the population is not overfished or undergoing overfishing. Their status has improved since the 2011 assessment, when it was estimated at 85% of B MSY with a 26% chance the population is not overfished or undergoing overfishing. However, the stock is still considered to be overfished (ICCAT 2016b). This rates as high concern because the population is classified as overfished. Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Low The current fishing mortality rate is estimated to be 23% below F MSY (F current/f MSY = 0.77 (0.53 1.05)) and the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is estimated at 126,304 t (ICCAT 2016b). This suggests that fishing mortality rates are sustainable and overfishing is not occurring. The assessment suggested only a 13.3% chance the stock is both overfished and undergoing overfishing and suggested that the continuation of current catch levels into the future will be sustainable through 2014. We have therefore awarded a low concern score. 17

Criterion 2: Impacts on other species All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion 1. Seafood Watch defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing. To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard rate score (ranges from 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score 2.2=Red or High Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Crtitical Criterion 2 Summary Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix B. BIGEYE TUNA - UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC - GREENSTICK Subscore: 2.644 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 2.644 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Blackfin tuna 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) Yellowfin tuna 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 3.67:Low Yellow (2.709) Skipjack tuna 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low 3.67:Low Green (3.831) BLACKFIN TUNA - UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC - GREENSTICK Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Bigeye tuna 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 1.00:High Red (1.414) Yellowfin tuna 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 3.67:Low Yellow (2.709) Skipjack tuna 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low 3.67:Low Green (3.831) 18

SKIPJACK TUNA - UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC - GREENSTICK Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Bigeye tuna 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 1.00:High Red (1.414) Blackfin tuna 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) Yellowfin tuna 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 3.67:Low Yellow (2.709) SWORDFISH - UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC - BUOY GEAR Subscore: 2.236 Discard Rate: 0.95 C2 Rate: 2.124 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Sharks 1.00:High 1.00:Very High 5.00:Very Low Yellow (2.236) YELLOWFIN TUNA - UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC - GREENSTICK Subscore: 1.414 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.414 Species Inherent Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Bigeye tuna 2.00:Medium 2.00:High 1.00:High Red (1.414) Blackfin tuna 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow (2.644) Skipjack tuna 2.00:Medium 4.00:Low 3.67:Low Green (3.831) The buoy gear fishery targets swordfish, which makes up 85% 90% of the total catch. Other incidentally captured species include dolphin fish (3% of the total catch in 2011) and sharks. The most commonly caught shark species include hammerhead species and night sharks (2% of the total catch) [NMFS 2012]. Although sharks do not make up >5% of the total catch, they are included in this report because the scalloped hammerhead populations are depleted and the great hammerhead is a Candidate Species for inclusion under the Endangered Species Act. Information on catches from the greenstick gear fishery is limited because the current reporting system does not allow for the identification of greenstick gear vessels [NFMS 2012]. The limited information available indicates that yellowfin tuna make up the majority of the catch (83%), followed by bigeye (10%). Other species that are incidentally captured include other tuna species, dolphin fish, and other bony fish [NMFS 2008]. However, no other species make up 5% or more of the total catch or are 19

overfished, so no additional species are included in this report. Criterion 2 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability (same as Factor 1.1 above) Factor 2.2 - Abundance (same as Factor 1.2 above) Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality (same as Factor 1.3 above) SHARKS Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR High Sharks typically have a high inherent vulnerability to fishing (Froese and Pauly 2013). This is substantiated by their life history characteristics, which include reaching sexual maturity later in life, low reproductive rates, and a long lifespan. Factor 2.2 - Abundance UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Very High Several species of sharks are incidentally captured in the buoy fishery. The most commonly caught include hammerheads and night sharks. Hammerhead sharks have been assessed to some degree in Atlantic waters. The scalloped hammerhead was assessed as overfished in 2005. The population size at that time was estimated at only 17% of virgin levels (Hayes et al. 2009) (NMFS 2012b). Several populations of scalloped hammerhead are proposed as Endangered and Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), but the northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico population is not (NMFS 2013b). The population of great hammerheads was estimated at around 10% of virgin levels in 2005 and likely became overfished in the 1980s (Hayes 2007) (Jiao et al. 2011). Smooth hammerhead sharks were depleted by 91% compared to virgin levels in 2005 (Hayes 2007). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified scalloped and great hammerhead sharks as Endangered and smooth hammerhead sharks as Vulnerable (Casper et al. 2005) (Baum et al. 2007) (Denham et al. 2007). Night sharks have not been fully assessed. An analysis of abundance series provided conflicting information, with some indices showing a decrease in abundance and others an increasing or flat trend over time (Carlson et al. 2008). Night sharks have been classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN (Santana et al. 2006). Based on the status and IUCN listings of hammerhead sharks, this is scored as very high concern. 20

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Very Low Great and scalloped hammerhead sharks were undergoing overfishing at the time of the last assessment (2005) (Hayes 2007) (Hayes et al. 2009) (Jiao et al. 2011) (NMFS 2012b). It is unclear if smooth hammerhead sharks were also undergoing overfishing in 2005 (Hayes 2007). Fishing mortality rates for night sharks are unknown. The majority of hammerhead sharks caught in the buoy gear fishery are released alive, although their post-release survival rates are unknown. This is in comparison to longline fisheries, where at vessel mortality rates can be as high as 90% (Morgan and Burgess 2007). Because this fishery does not contribute to the majority of hammerhead mortality rates, it is scored as very low concern. Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate UNITED STATES/NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR 20-40% Swordfish make up 85% 90% of the total catch in this fishery. Because of the size limit, swordfish discard rates in this fishery can be very high as much as 50% although the majority ( 90%) are released alive. On average, less than 5% are discarded dead. Discard rates for other species, such as dolphinfish, are very low (NMFS 2012a). Because swordfish make up the majority of catch in this fishery and discard rates for this species can be high, this score is 20% 40%. 21

Criterion 3: Management ness Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of nonretained species (bycatch strategy). The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows: Score >3.2=Green or Low Score >2.2 and 3.2=Yellow or Moderate Score 2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High = Red or High Rating is Critical if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ratings are Critical. Criterion 3 Summary Region / Method Harvest Strategy Bycatch Strategy Score United States / North Atlantic / Buoy gear 4.000 5.000 Green (4.472) United States / North Atlantic / Greenstick 3.000 5.000 Green (3.873) Criterion 3 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 3.1: Harvest Strategy Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Following of Scientific Advice, Enforcement of Regulations, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ineffective, moderately effective, or highly effective. 5 (Very Low ) Rated as highly effective for all seven subfactors considered 4 (Low ) Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of rated highly effective and all other subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 3 (Moderate ) All subfactors rated at least moderately effective. 2 (High ) At minimum, meets standards for moderately effective for Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of, but at least one other subfactor rated ineffective. 1 (Very High ) Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of rated ineffective. 0 (Critical) No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concern species), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring. Factor 3.1 Summary FACTOR 3.1: MANAGEMENT OF FISHING IMPACTS ON RETAINED SPECIES Region / Method Strategy Recovery Research Advice Enforce Track Inclusion United States / North Atlantic / Buoy gear Highly Highly Highly Moderately Highly Highly Highly 22

United States / North Atlantic / Greenstick Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Highly Moderately Highly The buoy and greenstick fisheries are managed by the US National Marine Fisheries Service, which governs fishing in US federal waters. Subfactor 3.1.1 Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? To achieve a highly effective rating, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Highly Participants in the buoy fishery, and in other directed swordfish fisheries, must have a permit to land swordfish; this allows the NMFS to keep a record of those targeting swordfish. There is an annual quota based on international regulations (ICCAT) that is split between two regions, North and South Atlantic; a minimum size limit; and a requirement that swordfish be landed whole. There are two fishing seasons and specific gear restrictions for buoy gear, which restrict the number of buoys allowed and require setting and retrieval to be done by hand (NMFS 2013a). As mentioned previously, the U.S. does adhere to international regulations imposed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for swordfish (NMFS 2013a). Because the U.S. has obeyed international regulations requiring a quota for swordfish and instituted their own rules specific to this fishery, it is rated as highly effective. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Moderately Greenstick gear has been identified as a separate gear type rather than a handgear or longline. In U.S. waters, the only tuna species that are managed are the Atlantic bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack (a.k.a. BAYS). There are no catch limits for bigeye (US has not yet been assigned a catch limit for bigeye by ICCAT), skipjack, or yellowfin tuna caught in the greenstick fishery but there is a size limit of greater than 27 inches for bigeye and yellowfin tuna. Permits are required to target tunas in U.S. waters. The U.S. does comply with international regulations imposed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) (NMFS 2013a). Because there are few measures in place to protect yellowfin tuna, which are overfished, this rates as moderately effective. Subfactor 3.1.2 Recovery of Species of Considerations: When needed, are recovery strategies/management measures in place to rebuild overfished/threatened/ endangered species or to limit fishery s impact on these species and what is their 23

likelihood of success? To achieve a rating of Highly, rebuilding strategies that have a high likelihood of success in an appropriate timeframe must be in place when needed, as well as measures to minimize mortality for any overfished/threatened/endangered species. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Highly Swordfish in the North Atlantic, which had been under a 10-year rebuilding plan from 2000 to 2009, were successfully rebuilt by 2009 (ICCAT 2012a). UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Moderately ICCAT has implemented measures to address both bigeye tuna and yellowfin tuna stock concerns. Bigeye tuna are under a multi-year conservation and management program initiated in 2009, which includes capacity limitations, vessel authorization to fish, and catch limits. ICCAT adopted new regulations during the 2015 Commission meeting to address the status of bigeye tuna but these will not be put into place until 2016 (ICCAT 2015b). The United States does not currently require a rebuilding plan for yellowfin tuna, which is overfished. The ICCAT, which the US is a party to, multi-year conservation and management program for bigeye tuna was amended in 2011 to include yellowfin tuna. In addition to capacity limits and vessel authorization, it also includes a total allowable catch (TAC) for yellowfin (ICCAT 2011b). Measures to recover yellowfin tuna populations appear to be succeeding, as the 2016 yellowfin assessment showed that yellowfin is recovering, overfishing has halted, and biomass is nearly at B MSY. The 2016 yellowfin assessment also indicated that maintaining catches at current levels will result in a 68% probability of maintaining a healthy stock through 2024 (ICCAT 2016b). At the 2016 ICCAT Commission meeting, a Recommendation that included catch limits for bigeye and yellowfin tuna, fishing capacity limitations, FAD fishing regulations, area/time closures and additional control and surveillance measures was adopted (ICCAT 2016d). We have awarded a "moderately effective" score because recovery plans have not been in place long enough to judge their success for all species. Subfactor 3.1.3 Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the health of the population and the fishery s impact on the species? To achieve a Highly rating, population assessments must be conducted regularly and they must be robust enough to reliably determine the population status. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Highly Assessments of swordfish in the North Atlantic are conducted every 4 years and include catch and effort data (both fishery-dependent and independent) from various fisheries targeting swordfish in the North Atlantic, along with biological information and other data sets (ICCAT 2009c). UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Moderately 24

Stock assessments for bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna are conducted every 4 6 years. Blackfin tuna has not been assessed since 2008 and the next assessment is not scheduled until 2020. Assessments are conducted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and include catch and effort data from a number of fleets targeting the species throughout the Atlantic Ocean, along with biological information and other data sets. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the data and results of these assessments. This results in a score of moderately effective. Subfactor 3.1.4 Management Record of Following Scientific Advice Considerations: How often (always, sometimes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scientific recommendations/advice (e.g. do they set catch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly rating is given if managers nearly always follow scientific advice. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Moderately The Swordfish Working Group of ICCAT advised setting the total allowable catch (TAC) at no higher than 13,000 t to maintain the population within Convention objectives, but the TAC in 2011 was set at 13,700 t (ICCAT 2012a). Furthermore, total catches were slightly above this TAC in 2012. This results in a moderately effective score. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Highly Scientific advice for the management of blackfin tuna was not given in the last assessment (ICCAT 2012a). No specific management recommendations were made for skipjack tuna other than to keep catches below MSY (ICCAT 2014). It has been suggested that maintaining yellowfin tuna catches at current levels (110,000 t) should lead to the biomass remaining healthy through 2024 (ICCAT 2016). The TAC was set at this level starting in 2012 (ICCAT 2012a). It was also advised that measures to reduce FAD-related and other fishing mortality on small yellowfin tuna should be implemented if the Commission intends to increase the long term yield of yellowfin tuna, which was addressed at the 2016 Commission meeting (ICCAT 2016b)(ICCAT 2016d). Bigeye tuna TAC should be reduced from the current level of 85,000 t, in order to allow the population to rebuild (ICCAT 2015c). The Commission lowered the bigeye tuna TAC to 65,000 t from 2016-2018, which will allow a 49% probability of rebuilding by 2028 (ICCAT 2015b). Because management has followed scientific advice, this is scored as highly effective. Subfactor 3.1.5 Enforcement of Management Regulations Considerations: Do fishermen comply with regulations, and how is this monitored? To achieve a Highly rating, there must be regular enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Highly Although the combined catches of swordfish (by all countries) within the North Atlantic in 2012 were above the TAC imposed internationally (i.e., by ICCAT), the United States has consistently been below its allotted quota (ICCAT 2012a) (ICCAT 2013). Information on catch and effort in this fishery is collected through logbooks (NMFS 2013a), and the U.S. Coast Guard also helps with enforcement. This results in a 25

highly effective score. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Highly Information on catches is collected through a logbook program (NMFS 2013a), and the U.S. Coast Guard helps enforce fisheries regulations. There are no quotas to use for measuring compliance, but there is strong on the water enforcement capacity, so this is scored as highly effective. Subfactor 3.1.6 Management Track Record Considerations: Does management have a history of successfully maintaining populations at sustainable levels or a history of failing to maintain populations at sustainable levels? A Highly rating is given if measures enacted by management have been shown to result in the long-term maintenance of species overtime. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR Highly According to the 2009 and 2013 assessments of swordfish in the North Atlantic, the population was above the level needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (BMSY), so the rebuilding objective had been met (ICCAT 2009c) (ICCAT 2012a) (ICCAT 2013). This results in a highly effective score. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Moderately The United States has complied with international management measures and instituted some domestic regulations. Bigeye tuna have become overfished under current management measures, although updated measures have been adopted and will be put into place during 2016 (ICCAT 2015b)(ICCAT 2015c). Yellowfin tuna are still slightly overfished, but the most recent assessment indicates that they are recovering under current management (ICCAT 2016). We have awarded a "moderately effective" score to account for the uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of the bigeye recovery plan, while recognizing the progress made towards recovery of yellowfin stocks. Subfactor 3.1.7 Stakeholder Inclusion Considerations: Are stakeholders involved/included in the decision-making process? Stakeholders are individuals/groups/organizations that have an interest in the fishery or that may be affected by the management of the fishery (e.g., fishermen, conservation groups, etc.). A Highly rating is given if the management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input. UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, BUOY GEAR UNITED STATES / NORTH ATLANTIC, GREENSTICK Highly The United States management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input. For example, the U.S. provides information to the public on proposed management plans and solicits comments from interested stakeholders (NMFS 2012a). Stakeholders can also sit on stock assessment advisory panels and participate in stock assessment meetings. 26