A sustainable fishing experiment in the Pacific – in pictures

We go behind the scenes on a tuna fishing expedition in Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific, where researchers from The Nature Conservancy test a number of sustainable fishing practices that could reduce bycatch – the unwanted fish and other marine creatures caught during commercial fishing – while keeping the fishing business lucrative

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  • Shen Lain Cheng, a 79-foot fishing boat from Hong Kong-based Luen Thai Fishing Ventures, plies the waters off Palau in the Pacific, home to about 60% of the world’s tuna catch. On this day, the boat is also a lab for an experiment, funded by The Nature Conservancy, to try a new sets of fishing hooks designed to reduce bycatch – species that are caught unintentionally and illegal to keep, such as sharks and reef fish.
    Shen Lain Cheng, a 79-foot fishing boat from Hong Kong-based Luen Thai Fishing Ventures, plies the waters off Palau in the Pacific, home to about 60% of the world’s tuna catch. On this day, the boat is also a lab for an experiment, funded by The Nature Conservancy, to try a new sets of fishing hooks designed to reduce bycatch – species that are caught unintentionally and illegal to keep, such as sharks and reef fish.

  • Luen Thai, like other tuna fishing crews, uses the popular longline fishing technique, in which thousands of baited hooks are attached to a single, long line stretching up to 25 miles. It’s an effective way to reel in giant tuna, but it also reels in other fish. A recent study found that bycatch from longline tuna fishing in Palau accounts for one third of all hooked species.
    Luen Thai, like other tuna fishing crews, uses the popular longline fishing technique, in which thousands of baited hooks are attached to a single, long line stretching up to 25 miles. It’s an effective way to reel in giant tuna, but it also reels in other fish. A recent study found that bycatch from longline tuna fishing in Palau accounts for one third of all hooked species.

  • The Nature Conservancy’s project sets out to use circular hooks, rather than the more common J-shaped hooks. Studies have shown that circular hooks are less likely to catch certain unwanted fish species. For bait, using fish instead of squid can also reduce the chance of unintended catch, like turtles, getting hooked while chomping on the squid.
    The Nature Conservancy’s project sets out to use circular hooks, rather than the more common J-shaped hooks. Studies have shown that circular hooks are less likely to catch certain unwanted fish species. For bait, using fish instead of squid can also reduce the chance of unintended catch, like turtles, getting hooked while chomping on the squid.

  • Although using circular hooks (of various sizes) and fish could potentially lower the number of bycatch, research has yet to find a silver bullet combination that can reduce bycatch significantly for any species without reducing a boat’s tuna haul.
    Although using circular hooks (of various sizes) and fish could potentially lower the number of bycatch, research has yet to find a silver bullet combination that can reduce bycatch significantly for any species without reducing a boat’s tuna haul.

  • A yellowfin tuna that gets a high score for quality by a dock inspector can fetch around $2,800 wholesale in Japan, where the fish will be sliced and resold at a profit in a sushi restaurant.
    A yellowfin tuna that gets a high score for quality by a dock inspector can fetch around $2,800 wholesale in Japan, where the fish will be sliced and resold at a profit in a sushi restaurant.

  • The research project will provide valuable lessons for the crews working for Luen Thai. In 2013, authorities found about 50 shark fins on a Luen Thai boat off the Marshall Islands, and fined the company $120,000. They also destroyed the offending boat. A Luen Thai executive, Derrick Wang, says the company hasn’t violated any shark finning regulations since and has instituted policies to penalize any of its captain and crew for as much as $20,000 for keeping sharks and cutting the fins off for sale on the black market.
    The research project will provide valuable lessons for the crews working for Luen Thai. In 2013, authorities found about 50 shark fins on a Luen Thai boat off the Marshall Islands, and fined the company $120,000. They also destroyed the offending boat. A Luen Thai executive, Derrick Wang, says the company hasn’t violated any shark finning regulations since and has instituted policies to penalize any of its captain and crew for as much as $20,000 for keeping sharks and cutting the fins off for sale on the black market.

  • Lotus Vermeer is heading a research project for the Nature Conservancy in Palau. Part of the project involves tagging sharks caught by a Luen Thai fishing boat before releasing them back into the sea. The goal is to track the sharks’ movement and determine if they survive the ordeal. A 2013 report estimated that 100m sharks are killed each year globally from legal and illegal fishing, which scientists consider unsustainable because sharks reproduce slowly.
    Lotus Vermeer is heading a research project for the Nature Conservancy in Palau. Part of the project involves tagging sharks caught by a Luen Thai fishing boat before releasing them back into the sea. The goal is to track the sharks’ movement and determine if they survive the ordeal. A 2013 report estimated that 100m sharks are killed each year globally from legal and illegal fishing, which scientists consider unsustainable because sharks reproduce slowly.

  • Researchers are tagging sharks that are caught by accident so that they can track their movements and survival rates. Data from a tag on this particular female silky shark indicates that she has survived.
    Researchers are tagging sharks that are caught by accident so that they can track their movements and survival rates. Data from a tag on this particular female silky shark indicates that she has survived.

  • If The Nature Conservancy can demonstrate that circular hooks and fish bait can reduce bycatch without costing a fishing boat its tuna haul, then it could more effectively persuade governments and fishing companies to use the new equipment and practices. In this photo, workers unload the tuna at the dock and ready the fish for inspection and shipment.
    If The Nature Conservancy can demonstrate that circular hooks and fish bait can reduce bycatch without costing a fishing boat its tuna haul, then it could more effectively persuade governments and fishing companies to use the new equipment and practices. In this photo, workers unload the tuna at the dock and ready the fish for inspection and shipment.

  • The Nature Conservancy has other initiatives in mind to reduce bycatch and prevent illegal fishing. It’s already planning a new set of experiments designed to record videos of all the fish caught on boats and use a yet-to-be-developed software that can quickly scan and pinpoint illegal catch. Using this kind of data could save authorities time, as they would otherwise have to manually review the video recordings.
    The Nature Conservancy has other initiatives in mind to reduce bycatch and prevent illegal fishing. It’s already planning a new set of experiments designed to record videos of all the fish caught on boats and use a yet-to-be-developed software that can quickly scan and pinpoint illegal catch. Using this kind of data could save authorities time, as they would otherwise have to manually review the video recordings.
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