According to the latest stock assessment, overfishing is not an issue for now. Depletion is higher in the tropical region where most of the catch is taken, so closer attention will be needed.
Handlines and pole-and-line fishery do not cause significant damage to endangered, threatened, protected (ETP) species. The discard rate of this fishery is low with high survival rates of any discarded species. The retained catch is likely to contain 5-30% juveniles and <5% non-target species. Significant ecosystem changes caused by this fishery are unlikely. Handlines and pole-and-lines are not destructive to benthic habitat.
This fishery is managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Management regulations include blacklisting of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) vessels and a regional observer programme. A Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMS) is in place, although the CMS process is not transparent. The overall management is considered partly effective.