Report on the review of re-estimation methodology of Indonesia’s annual shark catch data in IOTC for 1950-2023

Catch data is essential in building a robust fisheries management strategy. However, in some Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) e.g., Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), such data needs to be tailored due to several reasons, for example, inter-annual variation in reported catches by species, gear and fleets. As part of the catch data, shark species need also to be properly reported and traced.

Indonesia, as one of the IOTC members, has a commitment to actively participate in all conservation and management measures for fish resources in the Indian Ocean established by the IOTC. Therefore, Indonesia delivers its commitment by providing the reliable annual catch data including shark to the IOTC. The 27th Scientific Committee recommended that the Commission note the management advice developed for a subset of shark species commonly caught in IOTC fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species. Indonesia follows up the recommendation by conducting the review on its annual shark catches data for period 1950-2023.