Terrorised Tuna

NGOs, retailers and artisanal fisheries (mainly using pole-and-line methods) have signed a letter to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which is meeting shortly. The letter supports Kenya and Sri Lanka's proposal to monitor, manage and restrict fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the Indian Ocean (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/09/retailers-join-calls-for-urgent-action-to-restrict-harmful-tuna-fishing-methods). Fishermen have known for decades, fish will gather under floating objects, like logs. The FADs exploit this phenomenon. Those in question here, are free-floating devices with suspended netting, released by large commercial fishing boats. The letter's signatories, like the IOTC, are especially concerned about the declining stocks of Yellow-fin tuna in the Indian Ocean. Trawling around the FADs, increases the numbers of fish caught. It also increases bycatch (fish that are not legal to take). Studies suggest that 97% of bycatch around drifting FADs, consists of juvenile Yellow-fin tuna. These are fish that had no chance to breed. Curtailing drifting FADs, appears an obvious place to start, in attempts to return to healthy tuna stocks in this ocean. Commercial pressures, such as offering the public FAD-free tuna, would also be helpful.