<http://phys.org/news/2012-05-roadmap-sustainable-pole-and-line-caught....
html> New research offers roadmap towards sustainable pole-and-line-caught
tuna

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The report, written by Steve Rocliffe of the University of York's
Environment Department, looks specifically at the role of baitfish - small
fish released into the sea to attract tuna schools within range of a
vessel's fishing gear.

It reveals the first ever global estimate of baitfish required to catch tuna
using the pole-and-line technique - 25,000 tonnes per year - and identifies
several environmental and social issues associated with fishing for this
bait. Chief among these issues is the use of juvenile fish as well as the
complex interactions between live baitfish fisheries, local communities and
tourism industries, the report shows.

Ensuring Sustainability of Livebait Fish calls for more research into these
impacts. It also argues that improving management in bait fisheries through
the introduction of management plans and stock assessments could resolve
most of these issues and ensure that pole-and-line remains the most
responsible and sustainable way to fish for tuna.

Pole-and-line fishing is a simple approach to catching tuna with a hooked
line attached to a pole. On locating a school of tuna, pole-and-line vessels
scatter live bait into the sea in a process known as "chumming". This
creates the illusion of a large school of small fish near the surface,
sending the tuna into such a feeding frenzy that they will bite at any
shiny, moving object in the water, even un-baited hooks.

The report was compiled in collaboration with the not-for-profit
International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF). The Foundation, launched in
April 2012, works to help develop sustainable and equitable pole-and-line
fisheries and to increase the market share of sustainably and equitably
caught pole-and-line tuna.

Steve Rocliffe said: "Pole-and-line fishing is one of the most
environmentally and socially desirable methods of catching tuna, but like
any method, it isn't perfect. As demand for responsibly sourced tuna grows,
it's vital to ensure that the bait fisheries on which pole-and-line depends
are well-managed and regularly assessed."

"Sustainable live bait fisheries are in everyone's interests," said Andrew
Bassford, co-founder of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNFF).
"As a priority, we're developing best practise guidelines for baitfish
management plans and providing skill sharing, training and capacity building
to improve community and coastal states' ability to manage baitfish
fisheries on a long-term sustainable and equitable basis." Source:
<http://phys.org/news/2012-05-roadmap-sustainable-pole-and-line-caught....
html> PhysOrg

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