Bilan de l’état des stocks et des mesures de gestion de l’espadon xiphias gladius dans les océans Atlantique, Pacifique, Indien et en mer Méditerranée

This review presents the different international fishery organizations in charge of the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; respectively IOTC; ICCAT and IATTC/WCPFC. Moreover, this review also focuses on swordfish Xiphias gladius stock assessment and describes, for each stock worldwide, the total catches, the status of the stock as well as past and actual management measures. The Mediterranean stock is the only one assumed to be in overexploitation. This stock is currently under management measures (driftnet prohibition, seasonal fishery closure) but no TAC assigned. The north Atlantic, South-east Pacific and Indian Ocean stocks are close to or fully exploited. Among these stocks, only the North Atlantic one is under management measures (TAC and quota, minimum size of capture). These measures were implemented in order to recover the stock and proved to be efficient. South-west Pacific, North west-central Pacific and North-east Pacific stocks are underexploited. However, the South-west Pacific stock is under management measure (limitation of the fleet capacity and capture limitation). Regarding North Atlantic and South-central Pacific stocks, scientific data are currently insufficient to conclude on their stock status but seem to show no sign of overexploitation. Nevertheless, the South central Pacific stock is under the same management measures as the South-west Pacific stock.