Redesigning the logbook of French purse seiners to meet increasingly complex data reporting requirements

Logbooks are one the key tools to monitor a fishery and are required for multiple needs and by multiple end users. In the case of the French and Italian tropical tuna purse seiners (PS) operating in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, logbooks have been used since the start of the fishery, respectively during the 1960s and the 1980s. Overall, despite increasingly complex data reporting requirements, their structure has not changed much over time. Here, we present the structure of a fully redesigned logbook, with an in-depth revision aiming at making the logbooks more user friendly for captains, using data entry forms. This structural change also allows designing a database-like logbook, with a healthier data structure, separating data entry tasks from analysis and reporting needs. Future steps, including the validation of the current format and training of captains to this new reporting tool are also presented.