RT Journal Article
T1 Bycatch trend and its fate of the Spanish-owned tuna purse seiners fleet from the Atlantic and Indian oceans: Impacts of the implementation of good practices
A1 Acevedo Iglesias, Sergio
A1 Herrera, Miguel
A1 Ramos Alonso, María Lourdes
A1 Baéz Barrionuevo, José Carlos
A1 Ruiz, Jon
A1 Rodríguez Rodríguez, Gonzalo
A1 Rojo, Vanessa
A1 Pascual Alayón, Pedro José
K1 Tuna fisheries
K1 Bycatch
K1 Purse seine
K1 Fate
K1 Atlantic Ocean
K1 Indian Ocean
AB This study examines the fate of species caught as bycatch in the tropical tuna purse seine fishery across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans from 2003 to 2022, focusing on the impact of the industry-implemented Code of Good Practices (CGP) and bycatch mitigation measures from Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (t-RFMOs). Data were sourced from scientific observers under both Spain’s National Data Collection Framework (DCF, Regulation (EU) No 2017/1004) and the OPAGAC-AGAC observer program, which covers other flags as well. Following the adoption of CGP and t-RFMO regulations, statistical tests reveal significant improvements in the live-release rates of sharks and rays after 2014 in both oceans, but no significant differences in live-release rates for marine turtles, which were already high. Despite these positive trends, interactions with certain species, such as billfish, experiences an increase in discard rates during the last years of the study period. The study identifies coastal regions near Gabon and Angola in the Atlantic, and northern Indian Ocean fishing areas as potential hotspots for some sensitive species, which may be confirmed as information from other fisheries come to light.
PB Elsevier
SN 0308-597X
YR 2025
FD 2025-07
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43439
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43439
LA eng
NO Acevedo-Iglesias, S., Herrera, M., Ramos, M. L., Báez, J. C., Ruiz, J., Rodríguez-Rodríguez, G., Rojo, V., Pascual-Alayón, P. J., & Abascal, F. J. (2025a). Bycatch trend and its fate of the Spanish-owned tuna purse seiners fleet from the Atlantic and Indian oceans: Impacts of the implementation of good practices. Marine Policy, 177, 106694. 10.1016/j.marpol.2025.106694
NO We would like to thank fishermen from Spanish boats under Spain's regular observer programme and the OPAGAC-AGAC observer programmes for their collaboration, as well as the scientific observers, whose work has been essential to this study. SAI and GRR participated under the framework of the Doctoral Programme in Regional Development and Economic Integration at the University of Santiago de Compostela. Additionally, FA, PPA, and JCB contributed through the ’Reducing bycatch of threatened megafauna in the East Central Atlantic’ project (Grant Agreement No. 101135583–050224FBG), funded by the European Commission (EU) through the HORIZON EUROPE Programme. We are grateful to Estudio Sotomayor SL for their help in improving the English of this manuscript.
DS Minerva
RD 22 abr 2026