SIOTI Support for lmproving lnformation on Bycatch for Management of the lndian Ocean Purse Seine Tuna Fishery

The Sustainable Indian Ocean Tuna Initiative (SIOTI) is a large-scale Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) comprising the major purse seine fleets and tuna processors in the region. As part of his Action Plan, SIOTI facilitated a workshop for key institutions involved in bycatch data collection. This paper presents the outcomes of the Purse Seine Observer Program Coordination Workshop, that took place in Pasaia (Spain) during 16th- 17th of April 2018. It includes recommendations for improving information on bycatch for management of the Indian Ocean purse seine tuna fishery. These recommendations revolve mainly around; the observer coverage, the need to standardize the raising methodology of the sampling to the fleet level, and finally some recommendations about the need to standardize EMS (Electronic Monitoring System) programs’ output to be able to merge with observers’ data.