CROW's Nest is the first monthly in-depth report on the status of the Tuna Industry. For a copy of the publication, please send your name and address to: Casamar Group, Inc., and advise them that you would like to get a hard copy of the report.

Tuna Prices at Their Worst in 25 Years

Korean tuna purse seine companies are seriously considering a stop to tuna purse seine fishing for a month or longer if necessary to stabilize tuna price which has been going lower and lower.

The "Korea Deep Sea Fisheries Association" has responded to the call of the "Taiwan Deep Sea Tuna Boatowners and Exporters Association" to the implementation of a moratorium. The suggestion of the Taiwan boat owners is for each vessel to stay in port when it transships their catch to the carrier vessel. The meeting has been set to 25 November 1999 in Kaohsiung to discuss the matter in detail. They have invited representatives from the tuna boat owners of the United States, Japan, Philippines, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, France, and Spain to join the meeting. For more information regarding this matter, please contact: charles@tuna.org.tw

Although this may not bring back prices to their highest levels this year, it is a symbolic move for tuna boat owners from around the world to unite and take active steps in resolving problems that affect them.

Prices of raw tuna remain at low levels, with the price of skipjack (4-7.5lbs) in Bangkok at about US $400 per metric ton.

In the Eastern Pacific, the IATTC had their 65th meeting in La Jolla, California. In the meeting, the director concluded 1999 as a good fishing year for yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye. This year's yellowfin catch is similar to 1997. Most of the yellowfin has been caught in the CYRA. The bigeye catch in 1999 is large like in 1997 (51,000 M/T). The 1998 bigeye catch slacked off. He added that the fleets are catching larger size yellowfin this year, versus the previous year. The average size of the fish has increased for sets on dolphins. For sets on schools and on FADS, the average size of fish has been decreasing over the years. From 1994 to 1998, there had been a decline in the average size, but now the size appears to be recovering in 1999. There is concern that the fleet is concentrating on more small fish, even though there is a little bit of an increase in the average size this year. According to the Director, there has been a general decline in catch rates from 1994 to 1998 but catch rates increased in 1999. The catch rates for 1999 are better than last year's, but last year's were the lowest in years. The increased catch rate in 1999 may be due to the increasing fishing effort.

The Director presented data regarding the. bigeye quota. He said the data comes from the unloading figures of the canneries, and from the observer logbooks, as well as the vessel's logbooks. According to the director, 58% of the data comes from the vessel unloadings, and it appears that the observers were overestimating the bigeye landings by about 30% compared to the unloading figures. Ecuador proposed changing the bigeye cap of 40,000 M/T, since the bigeye data is exaggerated and biased. Mexico argued against this proposal, while insisting on increasing the yellowfin quota. Venezuela argued for increasing both quotas. Japan expressed concern over the increase of juvenile bigeye catch by purse seiners.

Ecuador proposed to extend the bigeye quota until the end of November, but then reconsidered and proposed to extend it until November 8 or 10, and then have the IATTC staff monitor the unloading data at the canneries. They estimated that the closure may occur around November 21-22. Ecuador's argument for this extended quota is that they dispute the Commission's figures, since the observers overestimated the bigeye catch by 30%. Vanuatu and Venezuela agreed with Ecuador's proposal, Mexico and the U.S. disagreed, but then the U.S. agreed to give the Commission more time to review the unloading figures to determine when the true 40,000 M/T will be reached. The Director mentioned that as of October 4, the bigeye catch is at 38,000 M/T and the catch rate has slowed down to 200 M/T per week from 1,000 M/T per week. After reviewing all the data with the IATTC staff, the Director gave his best estimate that the bigeye quota of 40,000 MT will be reached on November 8. So, this is the date the IATTC is now forecasting as the closure date on FAD fishing.

The bigeye tuna quota for the year 2000 was also discussed. Everyone agreed to set a provisional quota now, and to establish a working group to report to the meeting in June 2000. A draft resolution was discussed with a provisional figure of 40,000 M/T, the same quota as the last
two years. Some countries like Ecuador and the European Union wanted to set the quota on the small juvenile bigeye only, but the U.S. argued that the quota should include large bigeye like the previous quotas. The bigeye resolution was adopted and it was provisionally agreed to limit the catch of bigeye tuna by purse seiners in the EPO to 40,000 M/T in 2000. At that time, the bigeye tuna stock will be reviewed and adjusting the bigeye catch limit will be considered.

Mexico proposed extending the yellowfin quota in the CYRA by applying all three incremental increases of 15,000 M/T each, resulting in a total of 270,000 M/T and stop fishing at the end of the first week of December, whether the quota is reached or not. Mexico's argument was that the yellowfin stock is in a healthy condition, and the quota should allow for the maximum sustainable yield. This proposal was supported by Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Vanuatu, and Venezuela. Only the U.S. argued against this proposal. After additional discussions, it was finally agreed by all the parties that the yellowfin closure would be implemented in two steps:

1. On the date the total catch of yellowfin in the CYRA reaches 240,000 M/T, in the area between the coast of Mexico and longitude 125 deg W north of latitude 23 deg N, and the area between the coast of South America and longitude 85 deg W from latitude 5 deg N to latitude 5 deg S.

2. On the date the total catch of yellowfin in the entire CYRA reaches 265,000 M/T, or on December 2nd. whichever date is reached first.

With regards to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program, it was announced that 7 parties have now deposited articles of ratification in Washington D.C.: the U.S., Panama, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The European Union, Vanuatu, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Guatemala all said they intend to ratify the agreement very soon. It was agreed to extend the deadline for ratifying and applying for DMLs for next year to November 30, 1999. If the countries that have not joined the AIDCP do not apply for DMLs by November 30, they will not be able to get DMLs for next year, or for the second semester.

There was considerable discussion regarding how DMLs would be handled for boats changing flags. The parties argued that there is a need to find a way to have vessels reflag and keep their DMLs. Otherwise, they
will be lost by the old flag and by the vessel. 'The environmentalists were against this. The general consensus was that if a vessel reflags, the individual DMLs would transfer with the vessel and the DMLs would be transferred from the old to the new flag.

It was agreed to leave the fleet capacities by country the same until January 2000, when the parties are planning to meet in Costa Rica.

In the Western Pacific, Samoa prices are down to about $400 per short ton. The long line albacore price in Samoa was agreed for October, November, and December at $20 10 per short ton, which is $150 less than the September price. The jig boat albacore price offers for beginning November are at around $1500 per short ton, exvessel, for the Northwest Coast.

There was disturbing news in the Western Pacific reported through the France Press. It was reported that some Spanish interests had concluded a private agreement with the Kiribati Authority to allow a dozen or so Spanish seiners to catch tuna there. This is quite unusual since Kiribati is a member of the FFA and of the socalled NAURU agreements. It cannot make a decision by itself without consultation with the other FFA members. Many industry observers are not happy with this Spanish undertaking. They think that this is a blow to the industry already in crisis. The crisis is real and it is deep. This move will only add more tuna to the mountains of fish available to the buyers.

Catches continue to be excellent in the Indian Ocean, mainly Skipjack. The only factor that is slowing is that when all the boats are full, they have to call the port of Seychelles to deliver and transship. Unfortunately, the local plant, a StarKist subsidiary called IOT can unload only its need of the day, approx. 200 M/T per day. It is not unusual for some purse seiners to partially unload and return to sea with their fish wells still full.

Also in Seychelles, Europe concluded the renewal of a deal to allow some 79 tuna boats to operate in the EEZ for 3 years. There are currently 47 purse seiners and 32 longliners.

In Spain, the canneries reported a good year for 1998 compared to that of 1997. FRINSA made a profit of 259 million pesetas in 1998 which is an
80% increase from 1997. Hijos de Carlos Albo reported a profit of 354 million pesetas.

In England, PRINCES tuna is going to offer a tuna drainer free with the multipacks. It fits into the rim of the open can of tuna and will enable the tuna cake to remain intact as the brine or oil drains away.

In Italy, STAR concludes two agreements. one with the Italian Company "LA DORIA" who is going to take over the Star's SARNO tuna plant to convert it into a tomato paste plant and with JEALSA of Mr. Jesus Alonso. JEALSA is going to pack in Spain all the STAR branded cans that will be distributed in Italy by a joint venture of JEALSA/STAR.

In the Mediterranean sea along the coast of Spain, some 6000 tons of live, bluefin tuna eating some 300 tons of herring and sardines per day await to be shipped either fresh or frozen to the Japanese market.

In the Atlantic, the moratorium of catches on FADS is effective November 1. It concerns all the European vessels plus the Ghanians for the first time. After long negotiations, the reluctant Spanish organization (see Crow's Nest November 1999) have adhered to the moratorium and embarked the observers. Those of the Ghana boats will be paid by the European Union. The purpose of this campaign is to protect the immature fishes that swim between the surface and the thermocline. Only school fish is to be targeted in principle during the moratorium and all the sets will be thoroughly inspected by the observers who are going to report to the ICCAT all the parameters noted.

There was another important meeting for the tuna industry in the month of October. A five day international symposium on FADS as they relate to tuna fishing and fisheries was held on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, 1519 October 1999. It was the "International Meeting on Tuna Fishing and Fish Aggregating Devices (FADS)". (see Crow's Nest June 1999 Insert), The meeting covered all aspects of FAD utilization worldwide, and was divided into six sections as follows: (1) regional overviews of FAD use; (2) FAD technology and design; (3) FAD fishing methods; (4) FAD impacts on resources; (5) biology and behavior of tuna on FADS; and (6) socio economic and cultural aspects of FAD use.

Regional Overview

Regional reviews of FAD use were presented from the Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Hawaii, Japan, the central and western Pacific, the Philippines, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. These summaries and the symposium in general covered both small and largescale use of anchored FADs and the use of drifting FADs by purse seine fisheries.

The use of artisinal and industrial scale moored FAD systems are well developed in the central and western Pacific region. Hawaii and most of the small island countries of the South and western Pacific have adopted an inversecatenary deepwater mooring system similar to that developed and promoted by the fisheries development programs of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (Noumea). This design has been widely adopted in other regions of the world, such as the Caribbean and Indian Oceans. Interesting use of large numbers of low technology anchored FADs in the Mediterranean and Caribbean to aggregate dolphinfish and tuna were presented. In the Mediterranean, tens of thousands of inexpensive FADs are set in rows to entrain and concentrate dolphin fish and other small pelagic fishes that are caught by small purse seine gear. Hawaii has operated an anchored FAD program since 1980, primarily to assist recreational and smallscale fisheries close to the larger, populated islands. In contrast, southern Japan has a large network of anchored FADs established primarily to promote smallscale handline and troll operators. However, recreational fishers also utilize the FADs, causing user conflicts that are common wherever FADs are used.

The use of the "Nirai" or "huge FAD" in the coastal waters of Okinawa was particularly interesting. These incredible FADs measure 7 meters wide by 7 meters tall. and have a subsurface stabilizing ring of 16 meters in diameter. The Nirai are moored in deepwater with chain and cable mooring systems with a life expectancy of ten years. Nirai cost approximately US$1 million each and ate paid for largely by the Japanese government. Cost recovery studies estimate that catches from the huge FADs equal one million dollars within three years of deployment. The structures are large enough to house oceanographic and scientific instruments and studies on the influence of currents and how long tuna remain or how often they revisit these FADs are underway.

Largescale anchored FAD systems for industrial scale fisheries were described from the western Pacific region. Anchored FAD networks support pole and line tuna fisheries in Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Indonesia. The economic viability of these fisheries is highly dependent on the FADs to concentrate tuna and reduce operating expenses. The Solomon Islands also operates highly successful domestic and joint venture purse seine operations that set almost exclusively on anchored FADs surrounding their archipelago.

The Philippines was the first country to deploy FADs on a large scale and continues to use large numbers of FADs to support purse seine, ringnet and handline fisheries for tropical tuna. The speaker from the Philippines estimated that approximately 4000 FADs are anchored in the southern Philippines at a density of one FAD every 34 miles that are set in 3,0004,000 meters. The configuration of Philippine FADs, or "payaw' has been quite stable in recent years. Philippine jointventure purse seine operations based on large payaw networks are currently operating in northern Indonesia and northern Papua New Guinea. These FAD systems consist of hundreds of anchored FADS that are fished by mediumsize purse seiners that usually transship to carrier vessels.

FAD Technology and Fishing Methods

These sessions concentrated on the nuts and bolts,, or hooks and lines of small scale FAD systems established to support recreational, subsistence or artisinal fisheries for tuna, wahoo and dolphinfish. Many of the countries represented at the meeting have adopted some form of the inverse catenary mooring system, consisting of: a top of sinking nylon line spliced directly to a longer floating section of polypropylene with short sections of chain connecting to the float at the top and simple concrete anchor(s) at the bottom. The system is designed to float a portion of chain off the bottom to prevent abrasion of the polypropylene and the top section of nylon to prevent any line from floating to the surface and provide stability to the raft. Top floats usually consist of steel spheres, sleds or cylinders. The socalled "Indian Ocean FAD" design, consisting of a series of small floats on the top of the mooring line has also been widely adopted. This system has the advantage of low cost and will simply submerge during high current or storm conditions which is thought to reduce wear on the system and extend deployment times. Other low cost and lightweight FAD designs existed in regions with moderate sea conditions. For areas with seasonally rough seas, more robust mooring designs were described. Many speakers stated that
visual inspection of the upper mooring system or regular replacement programs were advisable. Several FAD programs agreed that most of their FAD losses occurred due to mooring line failures within the top 300 meters, possibly due to fish bite or damage from fishing gear. Various ways to protect the upper mooring systems, i.e. sheathing, cable, heavy line, etc. were discussed.

Smallscale fishing techniques were described, including several variations on midwater handlining, jigging and vertical longlining. The emphasis of this session was on subsurface fishing techniques to capture large, higher value yellowfin and bigeye tuna. Useful manuals on fishing technique were made available to interested parties.

Purse Seine Fisheries and Drifting FADS

The development and influence of drifting FADs, on purse seine fisheries was a major topic of the symposium. A general presentation on FAD associated purse seine fisheries stated that one million metric tons of tuna are currently caught worldwide by purse seiners in association with drifting FADs (i.e. NOT including catches from anchored FADs). The use of drifting FADs seems to have been a natural development arising from fishing on natural floating objects, such as logs and drifting debris. Regional reviews on the rapidly increasing use of drifting FADs by purse seine fleets were given by experts from the western Pacific, eastern Pacific, eastern Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The use of drifting FADs evolved gradually in the western Pacific but in recent years has expanded rapidly and is becoming the major fishing method used by some fleets. Drifting FAD sets have a high success rate, good average catch per set and significantly reduced searching times with increased effective fishing effort. Some eastern Pacific purse seiners have adopted the technique as an alternative to fishing on tuna schools associated with dolphins (marine mammals).

Seining on drifting FADs has opened up a large area to purse seining located to the west of the Galapagos Islands and extending westward to approximately 150W. In a similar fashion, purse seiners operating in the Gulf of Guinea in the eastern Atlantic now depend to a large degree on purse
seine operations on drifting FADs. In both regions, FADs are set in the eastern area of the fishery and followed as they drift westward.

In the Indian. Ocean, approximately 75% of the purse seine catches are now taken under drifting objects.

Concerns by fisheries managers, recreational fisheries, environmental groups and the commercial industry are based on the observation that catches from drifting FADs are relatively high in juvenile tuna and various bycatch species. Speakers presented data suggesting that the most common sized skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna taken on drifting FADs were similar for all species, ranging from around 55 to 60 cm, in length. However, it was noted that the FAD associated skipjack and yellowfin from the Indian Ocean appear to be significantly larger in size.

Bycatch and discard species of concern include small commercial species of tuna, little tunas (frigate, bullet, little tuna, black skipjack), ocean sharks, billfish, rainbow runner, ocean triggerfish, wahoo, and dolphinfish. Bycatch levels appear to be relatively high in the eastern Pacific and eastern Atlantic, although a great deal of the bycatch is commercially utilized in the Atlantic. Bycatch levels in the western Pacific appear to be relatively low and purse seine bycatch is very low in comparison to trawl and gillnet fisheries. However, ecological studies on the impact of purse seine bycatch have not been conducted, i.e. the real impact of these bycatch levels to the ocean environment are unknown.

The take of juvenile bigeye tuna under drifting FADs was a significant concern voiced by fisheries managers and researchers attending the symposium. Juvenile bigeye are strongly attracted to drifting objects and purse seine landings of bigeye have increased in recent years due to the expanding use of drifting FADs. The major longline fishing countries are opposed to the use of drifting FADs. They fear increased landings of juvenile bigeye will impact their catches of adult bigeye for sashimi markets. Fleets engaged in purse seining, large yellowfin tuna in association with marine mammals have also objected to the drifting FAD fishery for similar reasons, i.e. the take of juvenile yellowfin on FADs.

Participants in the FAD symposium described various studies and proposed possible management measures to address the juvenile bigeye situation. The need for further studies was apparent rather than shutting
down FAD fisheries without valid justification. Possible management measures that have been proposed include bigeye catch quotas, net and gear restrictions, ban on FAD support vessels, time/area closures or restricting the number of fads used per vessel.

Summary and Information Dissemination

The symposium brought together a great deal of information on FADs and served to gather a great deal of this information useful to fishermen, fisheries managers and the fishing industry m general. Every paper presented to the symposium in Martinique and several additional papers submitted to the scientific committee to the meeting have been summarized in abstract form and compiled in a publication printed by the French research organization Ifremer with both English and French text. All papers submitted to the meeting will be published in a proceeding documents of the meeting that will become available in the near future. Selected scientific papers presented to the symposium will be formally published in the scientific journal Living Aquatic Resources. Inquiries on the cost and availability of any of these documents can be directed by e-mail to the meeting coordinator at Marc.Taquet@ifremer.fr

Past Issues of the Crow's Nest

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