Report of the Eighteenth Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Executive summary

The Eighteenth Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 1 to 5 June 2014, Chaired by Mr Daroomalingum Mauree (Mauritius). A total of 172 delegates attended the Session, composed of 134 delegates from 25 Contracting Parties (Members) of the Commission, 3 delegates from 2 Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties and 35 delegates from 14 Observers to the Commission (including 1 from FAO and 12 invited experts))

The Commission adopted the IOTC IUU Vessels List as provided in Appendix X. (para. 66)

The Commission granted the status of Cooperating non-Contracting Party until the close of the 19^th Session in 2015 to Djibouti, Senegal and South Africa. (paras. 69, 75, 77)

The Commission adopted the budget for, and the scheme of contributions for 2014 and 2015 as outlined in Appendix XII and Appendix XIII respectively, with the understanding that areas of potential savings continue to be explored. (para. 96)

The Commission adopted 7 Conservation and Management Measures in 2014, consisting of 6 Resolutions and 1 Recommendation, as follows:

·         Resolution 14/01 On the removal of obsolete Conservation and Management Measures

·         Resolution 14/02 For the conservation and management of tropical tunas stocks in the IOTC area of competence

·         Resolution 14/03 On enhancing the dialogue between fisheries scientists and managers

·         Resolution 14/04 Concerning the IOTC record of vessels authorised to operate in the IOTC area of competence

·         Resolution 14/05 Concerning a record of licensed foreign vessels fishing for IOTC species in the IOTC area of competence and access agreement information

·         Resolution 14/06 On establishing a programme for transhipment by large-scale fishing vessels

·         Recommendation 14/07 To standardise the presentation of scientific information in the annual Scientific Committee report and in Working Party reports