Fish harvesters use a pole and line, and live bait to catch Albacore or “white” tuna. Fishing vessels first catch sardines as baitfish inshore with a net and hold them live in tanks. The vessel then travels to tuna-fishing grounds where the live baitfish is scattered into the sea to attract tuna. This is called “chumming.” Vessels also often sprinkle water on the sea surface to create the illusion of schools of baitfish to attract tuna. Fish harvesters then use a pole, lure and barbless hook to catch the feeding tuna.

Pole-and-line fishing is also known as one-by-one fishing because each tuna is individually hooked by a single harvester using a pole and line. Vessels can range in size and have harvesters standing on the deck fishing. Vessel captains spot tuna schools by sea birds or sighting other fishing vessels.

Pole-and-line fishing is also known as one-by-one fishing because each tuna is individually hooked by a single harvester using a pole and line. Vessels can range in size and have harvesters standing on the deck fishing. Vessel captains spot tuna schools by sea birds or sighting other fishing vessels. They also fish around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) with are anchored platforms that attract tuna.

There are 42 pole-and-line vessels that fish in the Bay of Biscay. They typically fish from July through September, and stay out to see for a maximum of 15 to 20 days.