Data technical workshop to improve the reporting of fishery statistics to the IOTC

At its 19th session, the IOTC Working Party on Data Collection and Statistics (WPDCS) expressed concern that non-reporting of fishery data continues to fundamentally affect the quality of stock assessments and management of IOTC species, particularly neritic tunas and billfish (WPDCS19).

In 2024, the Data Section of the Secretariat conducted two regional data reporting workshops (ERDW and WRDW) to review data reporting issues and to allow participants to familiarise themselves with the newly implemented data reporting system. Most participating CPCs introduced the new IOTC forms and addressed some persistent issues. However, in view of the difficulties still faced by some countries, the Commission acknowledged that adaptation to the new reporting forms may take time and agreed that implementation should commence in 2025 (IOTC–2024–S28–R). The workshop will focus on improving data reporting to the IOTC through practical exercises, including an on-site session aimed at successfully submitting mandatory data to the IOTC Secretariat in accordance with CPC reporting requirements.