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The Regional Observer Scheme (ROS) conducted by DFAR in 2013 revealed that, the small size and the less facilities of the artisanal and semi – industrial vessels of Sri Lanka are not suitable to deploy an observer onboard. DFAR is currently working to make cost effective and technically efficient Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) to collect on board data. The success of the crew – based observer program initiated in 2018, to collect independently verifiable information through the skipper in <24 m High seas (BEEZ) longline and gillnet vessels was continuously implemented with the support of DFAR. Data collection was initiated within EEZ, <24 m longline and gillnet vessels in 2025, to check the effectiveness of the crew-based observer program with the implementation of the Resolution 25/06 (Resolution 24/04 superseded in 2025). The study revealed that the crew-based observer program conducted with in EEZ is able to fill 86% of the requirements once per trip for the longline vessels, 84% of the reporting requirements once per trip for gillnet and 100% of the reporting requirement of data once per set / shot mentioned in the IOTC Resolution 15/01 for both longline and gillnet. The crew-based observer program within EEZ able to collect overall 99% of the sub categories of the IOTC data reporting forms under trip data, gear data, setting data and catch data of both longline and gillnet fishery. Six (06) longline vessels operated from Negombo harbour were observed 38 sets during 14 trips during the period of March – August 2025. Yellowfin tuna was recorded as the main target species by weight (51.5%). Most of the vessels were converted to gillnets from July onwards due to changes in the monsoon patterns and the impact of small red crabs in the lagoon, which damaged the bait used in longline fishing. Four (04) gillnet vessels were completed 122 days and observed 72 gillnet sets during the period of March – September 2025. Skipjack tuna was recorded as the target species in the gillnet fishery by weight (28%) then kawakawa (16%) and common dolphinfish (16%) and spine tail devilry (10%) was recorded as the main other capture species in the catch. The crew – based observer program implemented BEEZ since 2018, and the program implemented within EEZ since 2025 able to collect trip, gear, set and catch data under the requirement of IOTC Resolution 24/04 and 25/06. Crew based observer program is another good method to interact with the fishing community, involve them for management decisions and to conduct research activities related to implement other Conservation Management Measures (CMM) of the IOTC.
