Bioeconomic Analysis of the Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Longline Fishery in Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Abstract

This research analyzes the stock assessment of yellowfin tuna caught by longline in western and central Pacific Ocean. Time series data catch and effort of yellowfin tuna were used to determine biological coefficients using surplus production model. The five surplus production models were tested for the fishery. The CY&P model which is an exponential growth model, appears as the best model to estimates MSY and fishing effort for MSY (EMSY). Using price and cost data, the MEY and fishing effort for MEY (EMEY) and also fishing effort for OAE (EOAE) were obtained by the bioeconomic model.

The analysis showed the actual catch of yellowfin tuna lies around the MSY. Even though the present fishing mortality had exceeded above the MSY, the present efforts however were still below the effort MSY level, indicating a recovered fish stock. In order to get sustainable maximum rent, the current effort level should be reduced to EMEY level with some management tools such as implementing closure for the fisheries and capacity limit through effort reduction.