Investigation

AGAC/ OPAGAC has a long tradition of collaboration with Spanish scientific institutes and other entities, making available to scientists all information required for stock assessments of tropical tunas in the three oceans, and hosting research trips on board its vessels. All information regarding the activity of the OPAGAC/AGAC fishing fleet is available to scientists (logbooks, FAD diaries, port sampling and observer reports)

The collaboration with the IEO dates from the beginning of fishing activities of our fleet in the ‘60s. Since then the collaboration has supported the work of the IEO on essential research within the RFMOs.

Currently, OPAGAC/AGAC has signed a collaboration agreement with the IEO for volunteer observers to board our fleet as part of the 100% coverage by observers.

the most important research actions with the IEO have been:

SELAC 2004
ABYSS 2008
TUNA BAI
CECOFAD

In August 2016, OPAGAC and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) started, with the assistance of FAO, an Electronic Tracking Pilot Project in two of its vessels. This project includes the installation of electronic equipment on ships, tracking units in the SFA, and training components and comparative analysis of the data collected.

The project is carried out under the Project ABNJ (Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction) of FAO, and the pilot results will be presented to FAO and other agencies.

In recent years (2014 and 2016) ISSF conducted two research trips aboard OPAGAC vessels. The reports from these cruises may be downloaded from ISSF’s website

The objectives of the cruises were:

  • Estimates of catch, species composition, and size distribution of tunas associated with FADs using acoustics
  • The release of sharks from the net while it is in the water.
  • The release of sharks on board ship
  • Study of behaviour of tunas and other species in the net while in the water
  • Comparison of estimates of catch composition by scientists and fishermen

AZTI

AZTI has vast experience in management and conservation of tropical tuna. In the framework of the Code of Good Practices, it is the scientific body who audits it, being also responsible for the scientific observer’s training. This collaboration has been fundamental for the development of several research projects and has even led to the adoption of conservation AZTI projects:

Biodegradable FADs
Mitigating the fisheries’ impact on sensitive species
Abundance indices