Exploiting the “gold of the ocean”

Can live storage solve the paradox of the purse seine fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Norway

Bibliographic Data

ID21521794
AuthorsManu Sistiaga (0000-0002-0750-0900, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, corresponding author), Neil Anders (0000-0002-5815-8092, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Jostein Saltskår (Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Hermann Pettersen (Directorate of Fisheries), Michael Breen (0000-0002-5857-9938), Michael J Breen (0000-0002-1082-1043, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Odd-Børre Humborstad, Odd‐Børre Humborstad (0000-0003-1365-3222, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Hector Peña (0000-0003-0398-8053, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Pau Muñoz-Benavent, Pau Muñoz‐Benavent (0000-0003-4681-183X, Universitat Politècnica de València), Joaquín Martínez-Peiró (0000-0002-4430-9355, Universitat Politècnica de València), Gabriela Andreu-García, Gabriela Andreu-Garcı́a (0000-0001-5448-6171, Universitat Politècnica de València), V Espinosa (0000-0001-8882-866X, Universitat Politècnica de València), Stein Harris Olsen (0000-0003-1618-9664, Fafo Foundation), Tonje K Jensen (0000-0003-4204-2025, Fafo Foundation), Keno Ferter (0000-0002-7201-2786, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Leif Nøttestad (0000-0003-3936-5157, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Svein Løkkeborg (0000-0003-3049-2977, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research)
Year2025
Volume172
Pages106506
Publication date2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMarine Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0308-597X • E-ISSN: 1872-9460
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106506
OpenAlexW4404318543
LanguageEN
References cited36

The Norwegian quota for Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) ( Thunnus thynnus ) is not completely caught every year. This is paradoxical because Norway is a leading fishing nation. The fishery is currently executed by rod-and-reel and purse seine, with ∼ 80 % of the quota being allocated to the latter. Purse seine is therefore the main determinant for the overall success of the fishery and vessels aim to take catches that are manageable for their size (typical LOA < 40 m). These vessels are not designed to target ABT, so they tend to have variable capture efficiency, inadequate catch control technology and often produce inconsistent product quality of relatively low value. Furthermore, participation in more profitable fisheries with better shore-based infrastructure and marketing channels is prioritised over ABT fishing. The storage of purse seine caught ABT in cages is currently practiced worldwide but not in Norway. Storage allows on-demand supply to the market and can improve quality by allowing physiological recovery after capture. There is therefore great interest from Norwegian policymakers and industry in developing a live storage fishery. This manuscript investigates aspects related to ABT live storage in Norway. Findings are presented from sea trials exploring the feasibility of these procedures. Challenges that will determine the future perspective of Norwegian live storage are discussed, and the potential of alternatives such as longlines, traps and rod-and-reel is examined. Any future success in developing the Norwegian ABT fishery will serve as an example for other fisheries around the world facing similar challenges

Biology · Fish · Fishery · Tuna · Environmental Science · Fish Biology and Ecology Studies · Fish Ecology and Management Studies · Marine and fisheries research · Geology · Oceanography

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