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Recent stock assessments for Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna have been compromised by ongoing uncertainty in catch estimates, catch per unit effort indices, conventional tagging data, and reliant on assumptions about the spatial structure and connectivity. Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) offers a promising alternative for estimating key population parameters, such as absolute spawning biomass, total mortality, and connectivity. A CKMR design study for Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna was recently funded and will conclude with the delivery of statistically evaluated design for the implementation of a basin-scale CKMR project. This working paper briefly outlines the work plan and specific issues that will be considered in the design study, including the key research questions, population structure, biological parameters, and sampling design. To assist in the development of the design study, the WPM is invited to discuss and provide feedback on the following:
o Suggest any other priority research questions for Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna to consider in the CKMR design study
o Advise on any additional plausible hypotheses of population structure of yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean that might be explored alongside the current understanding from recent basin wide stock structure analyses.
o Suggest additional evidence-based values for biological parameters and plausible population sizes that could be used at starting values in the population model.
o Advise on fisheries and locations where useful quantities of samples could be practicality and efficiently collected, given the population structure hypotheses and likely requirements they would have on possible sampling locations
