Extent of IOTC catches subject to CPC-specific catch limits

This paper examines the extent to which catches of yellowfin tuna (YFT), bigeye tuna (BET), skipjack tuna (SKJ) and swordfish (SWO) are subject to CPC-specific catch limits under existing and recently adopted IOTC Conservation and Management Measures.

During 2022–2025, an average of around 54% of YFT catches was taken by fleets subject to individual catch limits, compared with approximately 75% for BET during 2024–2025.

Applying the catch-limit frameworks established for 2026–2028 to the average distribution of catches among fleets during 2022–2025 suggests that:

• For YFT, the proportion of catches associated with fleets subject to individual limits would increase from approximately 64% in 2026 to 73% from 2027, under Resolution 26/01.
• For BET, this proportion would reach approximately 82% in 2026–2027 and 86% in 2028.
• For SKJ, approximately 85% of catches would be associated with fleets subject to individual limits in 2026–2027, increasing to 88% in 2028.
• For SWO, individual limits will apply from 2027, covering fleets accounting for approximately 80% of recent catches.

These estimates reflect the recent distribution of catches among fleets and do not represent projections of future catches. Their applicability is also subject to the entry into force of the relevant measures and the effects of objections.

For TCAC, the findings illustrate that a substantial proportion of catches is already subject, or expected to become subject, to CPC-specific limits, although the extent varies among species and some catches remain outside these limits. The existing measures explicitly do not pre-empt or prejudice future decisions concerning the allocation of fishing opportunities.

Revision 1 includes an updated Figure 4, with catches expressed as percentages rather than absolute values, and improved captions for Figures 4 and 5. The keywords have also been expanded to include the IOTC Resolutions establishing catch limits.

Data are available from the file IOTC-2026-TCAC17-INF01_Catch_limit_data.xlsx in the DATASET section of the meeting webpage.