Certifier : 
q.inspecta GmbH
Certified status : 
Certified
Certified since : 
27 Aug 2015
Certificate expires : 
26 Feb 2026

Overview

Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.

When the term “Unit of Certification” is used for fishing units that are in assessment, it refers to the “Unit of Assessment” or “Unit of potential certification”. Expand a status below to view the parts that form this fishery. To check the detailed scope, download the latest certificate or open the Assessments page to get the latest report. Find out more by visiting our page on Fisheries

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

  • Certified
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Certificate Code
    UoC-1068 Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) Hooks And Lines - Longlines 81 (Pacific, Southwest) MSC-F-31430
    UoC-2284 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Hooks And Lines - Longlines 81 (Pacific, Southwest) MSC-F-31430
    UoC-1070 Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Hooks And Lines - Longlines 81 (Pacific, Southwest) MSC-F-31430
    UoC-1071 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Hooks And Lines - Longlines 81 (Pacific, Southwest) MSC-F-31430
  • No longer in the program
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Status (Units of Certification)
    UoC-1476 Common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) Hooks And Lines - Set longlines 81 (Pacific, Southwest) Withdrawn

View glossary of terms

Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) 2023 629
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) 2023 221
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) 2023 1,537
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) 2023 773

Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.

Eligibility, client groups and vessel lists

A fishery may choose to define the members of the fishery certificate. These members can be vessels or other client group members (e.g. companies that own vessels and/or companies that are named as eligible to handle certified product covered within the fishery certificate scope). Please refer to the fishery certificate statement on additional product specific eligibility criteria (e.g. product eligibility limitations, eligibility date, exclusive points of landing and the point where Chain of Custody certificate is required). Please consult the fishery Public Certification Report for product eligibility rationale.

Documents Published on Files
Vessel List 24 Sep 2024 1 files

About this Fishery

The Australia Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) operates on the Eastern seaboard of Australia, from Cape York, Qld to the Victoria / South Australia border using the pelagic longline method. Key target species in this fishery include Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Albacore Tuna and Broadbill Swordfish.

The fishery is managed using a quota system based on a very conservatively set Total Allowable Commercial catch (TACC). This TACC is informed by a number of management processes, consultative forums, scientific stock assessments and research projects. As these stocks are highly migratory through the Western and Central Pacific, the fishery is also subject to relevant WCPFC catch allocations and Conservation Management Measures. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) Commission makes a final determination on the TACC for these target species.

The ETBF fishery has a long history of sustainable fishing practices. All boats are subject to risk mitigation strategies and use physical mitigation devices to minimize and avoid interactions with bycatch and ETP species. The fishery is also subject to ecological risk assessments and impacts on the environment are regularly monitored.

Tuna Australia represents the majority of tuna longline boats and fishing companies in the ETBF. Tuna Australia conducts research projects and initiatives to improve fishing practices and minimise impacts on the environment, advocates industry priorities to government and develops strategies to increase industry profitability and sustainability of the resource. 

 

Market Information

The 2019 Total Allowable Catch is 2500T for Albacore Tuna, 1056T for Bigeye Tuna, 1250T for Broadbill Swordfish and 2400T for Yellowfin Tuna.  The target species are generally exported to the United States and Japan, with smaller quantities sold in Australian domestic markets.