Scientific Committee

Roles and Duties

The Scientific Committee was established as an advisory body to the Commission. The Scientific Committee is constituted of scientists from the IOTC Membership, as well as experts to enhance and broaden the expertise of the Scientific Committee and of its Working Parties.
The main activities of the Scientific Committee are as follows:

• Recommend policies and procedures for the collection, processing, dissemination and analysis of fishery data;
• Facilitate the exchange and critical review among scientists of information on research and operation of fisheries of relevance to the Commission;
• Develop and coordinate cooperative research programs involving Members of the Commission and other interested parties, in support of fisheries management;
• Assess and report to the Commission on the status of stocks of relevance to the Commission and the likely effects of further fishing and of different fishing patterns and intensities;
• Formulate and report to the sub-commission, as appropriate, on recommendations concerning conservation, fisheries management and research, including consensus, majority and minority views.

Current workplan

You can consult the current program of work for the Scientific Committee and its Working Parties, as endorsed by the Scientific Committee at its most recent Session.

Current Schedule of stock assessments for IOTC species and species of interest from, and for other working party priorities, for the next 5 years.

Current Chairperson Dr. Toshihide Kitakado (Japan), extended 2nd term ends at the close of the SC in 2025.	Current Vice-Chairperson Dr Gorka Merino (EU Spain), 1st term ends at the close of the SC in 2025.