On 20 October-1 November 2008 in Bangkok, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission held a working party on the topic of “Tropical Tuna and the Ecosystem and Bycatch.” The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an intergovernmental organization established under Article XIV of the FAO constitution that currently has 28 Member States and three States of noncontracting parties. It is mandated to manage tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas. Currently,16 species that are under the management mandate.In addition, data on non-target, associated and dependent species affected by tuna fishing operations has to be collated.
The Working Party on Tropical Tuna (WPTT) was the Tenth Session of the IOTC, started with the presentation of the status of the IOTC database for tropical tuna. Each tuna species were examined in term of trend of catch amount, catch per unit of effort, trend in size and age of fish stock assessment, etc.
I had an opportunity to present the data of tunas unloading in Phuket Thailand, and the WPPT agreed to support a port sampling to get more data of fish tags in Phuket. In the whole picture of the meeting, it is tried to get as much as possible data from the member countries to support the tuna resources management. Finally the WPTT concluded that the tuna stocks are close to or possibly has recently entered the over-fished state. The 2007 tuna catch of 317,000 tons was above the maximum sustainable yield. The WPTT agreed that the catches should be reduced to less than 250,000-300,000 tons and below the levels observed in 2007. The Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB) was the Fourth Session of the IOTC. Here, the IOTC member countries reviewed the biodiversity of the Indian Ocean and the information available on the incidental catch of non target species by some kind of fisheries. The working party focused on the incidental catch of sharks, seabirds, turtles and marine mammal. The valuable scientific information of species, catch and the relevant data that concerned and supported the management plan were presented, followed by comments and discussions. Although the WPEB expressed its disappointment that no National Plans of Action (NPOAs) to reduce those bycatch were provided by IOTC members, the outcome of the meeting is the fruitful updated framework and protocol to pursue and strengthen the enforcement in reducing bycatch and incidental fish. Both of the working party are also expected to cooperate in the exchange of information regarding any fishing for the stocks, to provide the IOTC copies of laws, regulations and administrative instructions in force or, where appropriate, summaries thereof, relating to the conservation and management of stocks covered by the Agreement. Apart from those issues the participants were enthusiastic to exchanged ideas, cultures, and enjoyed their time in Bangkok. Above all, good relationship occurred among them.
The Working Party on Tropical Tuna (WPTT) was the Tenth Session of the IOTC, started with the presentation of the status of the IOTC database for tropical tuna. Each tuna species were examined in term of trend of catch amount, catch per unit of effort, trend in size and age of fish stock assessment, etc.
I had an opportunity to present the data of tunas unloading in Phuket Thailand, and the WPPT agreed to support a port sampling to get more data of fish tags in Phuket. In the whole picture of the meeting, it is tried to get as much as possible data from the member countries to support the tuna resources management. Finally the WPTT concluded that the tuna stocks are close to or possibly has recently entered the over-fished state. The 2007 tuna catch of 317,000 tons was above the maximum sustainable yield. The WPTT agreed that the catches should be reduced to less than 250,000-300,000 tons and below the levels observed in 2007. The Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB) was the Fourth Session of the IOTC. Here, the IOTC member countries reviewed the biodiversity of the Indian Ocean and the information available on the incidental catch of non target species by some kind of fisheries. The working party focused on the incidental catch of sharks, seabirds, turtles and marine mammal. The valuable scientific information of species, catch and the relevant data that concerned and supported the management plan were presented, followed by comments and discussions. Although the WPEB expressed its disappointment that no National Plans of Action (NPOAs) to reduce those bycatch were provided by IOTC members, the outcome of the meeting is the fruitful updated framework and protocol to pursue and strengthen the enforcement in reducing bycatch and incidental fish. Both of the working party are also expected to cooperate in the exchange of information regarding any fishing for the stocks, to provide the IOTC copies of laws, regulations and administrative instructions in force or, where appropriate, summaries thereof, relating to the conservation and management of stocks covered by the Agreement. Apart from those issues the participants were enthusiastic to exchanged ideas, cultures, and enjoyed their time in Bangkok. Above all, good relationship occurred among them.
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