Information Note On The Monitoring Of The Yft Tuna Quota Consumption By The French And Italian Purse Seine Fleet In The Indian Ocean

Following the evaluation of the stock of yellowfin tuna (YFT) in the Indian Ocean for 2014, an interim plan for rebuilding the stock was implemented in the Indian Ocean and it was decided to reduce catches of purse seiners from 15%. In 2017, the European Union Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was distributed among EU member States and yellowfin tuna (YFT) quotas were implemented for the first time in the Indian Ocean. After a first phase of adaptation to this new measure, a methodology based on a cross validation of operational data (landing certificates, sale slips, catch certificates was developed). This example demonstrates that monitoring quota consumption in real time is feasible. Alternative management measures, such as large closures of the fishery are discussed in the light of these results.