Workshop relating to the studies on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS)

The second review of the performance of IOTC made several recommendations related to MCS and CDS that were later adopted by the Commission. In particular:

Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS)
Paragraph 149 of the PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
• the IOTC should continue to develop a comprehensive MCS system through the implementation of the measures already in force, and through the adoption of new measures and tools such as a possible catch documentation scheme, noting the process currently being undertaken within the FAO.
• as a matter of priority review the IOTC MCS measures, systems and processes, with the objective of providing advice and guidance on improving the integration of the different tools, identification of gaps and recommendations on how to move forward, taking into consideration the experiences of other RFMOs, and that the review should be used as a basis for strengthening MCS for the purpose of improving the ability of the Commission to deter non-compliance and IUU fishing.

Market related measures
Annexe II - The bigeye statistical document programme should be applied to all bigeye products (fresh and frozen). Catch documentation schemes for target species of high commercial value should be considered. Alternatively, expanding the scope of the current statistical document programme to address current loopholes should be considered.