Saratha Naiken (2023/24) recently presented her research at IMCC7 – “The 7th International Marine Conservation Congress 13-18th Oct, South Africa”

22 October 2024

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a top-level marine predator that thrives in tropical and subtropical open ocean environments and is the foundation of the world’s second largest tuna fishery.

Image of Saratha Naiken (2023/24) recently presented her research at IMCC7 – “The 7th International Marine Conservation Congress 13-18th Oct, South Africa”

Saratha Naiken presented her research at IMCC7 – 7th International Marine Conservation Congress 13-18^th Oct, South Africa

Image of Marine student presenting thesus

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a top-level marine predator that thrives in tropical and subtropical open ocean environments and is the foundation of the world’s second largest tuna fishery. The Republic of Seychelles, located in the Indian Ocean, is known for its extensive marine biodiversity and significant tuna fisheries, which are critical to its blue economy.

Recent research reveals that yellowfin tuna migration patterns and stock dynamics have shifted significantly, with about 70 % of their migration routes now occurring outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Seychelles. This pattern raises concerns about yellowfin tuna long-term stock health, as well as the broader implications for regional fisheries management. The Seychelles Blue Economy is heavily reliant on purse seine fisheries, which use drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) to boost tuna capture rates. Artificial fish aggregating devices, which are usually made of rafts, synthetic ropes, and plastic webbing and reach depths of 100 metres below the ocean’s surface, serve as key gathering places for tuna and other species.

The extensive usage of dFADs has had a significant impact on yellowfin tuna migration patterns outside national borders. Her research project investigated the documented changes in the physical characteristics of yellowfin tuna over time, the fluctuations in catch per unit of fishing effort, and potential solutions to the unintentional capture of young tuna, incidental captures, and the accumulation of marine debris from fish aggregating devices.