FishSource

Last Updated: 2024-03-18

Progress Rating: C

Evaluation Start Date: 2023-11-01

Type: Basic

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Hilo Fish Company, Inc. (HFCI)

Stock Profile Link
Swordfish - South Atlantic

Comments:

The FIP remains younger than a year with stage 3 results reported within the past 6 months. The FIP remains C rated.

1. FIP Development	Nov 23	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 9 November 2023 — MSC pre-assessment made available
2. FIP Launch	Nov 23	Confirmation of project participants 1 November 2023 — Participants confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Nov 23	Workplan made public 1 November 2023 — Workplan made public
3. FIP Implementation	Sep 24	FIP activities undertaken 1 September 2024 — The FIP conducted interviews with fishers in an effort to understand their challenges and perspectives with regard to management; all fishers disagreed with ICCAT's determination that the South Atlantic swordfish stock is overfished and currently experiencing overfishing. 15 November 2023 — The FIP has conducted an analysis of the reporting and licensing system to better understand the current state of fisheries management within the country; the findings of the analysis demonstrated that harvest biomass data needs to improve in terms of accuracy.
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	—	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public