Regional Observer Scheme: Science

IOTC Resolution 25/06 On a Regional Observer Scheme

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission has adopted a Regional Observer Scheme which has as its core objective: to collect verified catch data and other scientific data related to the fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species in the IOTC area. The implementation of the Regional Observer Scheme by IOTC CPCs (Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties) officially commenced on 1st July 2010, and is based entirely on national implementation.

IOTC Resolution 25/06 (supersedes Resolution 24/04) On a Regional Observer Scheme, sets out the minimum recording requirements and timelines for implementation and reporting by CPCs. Reporting requirements include:

• The observer shall, within 30 days of completion of each trip, provide a report to the flag CPC of the vessel
• If the vessel was fishing in the EEZ of a coastal State, the part of the observer report covering fishing activities in the EEZ shall be also submitted to that coastal State
• Each CPC shall provide, to the IOTC Secretariat, each report and observer data for the previous year no later than 30 June, following IOTC observer reporting templates and standards. 

ROS Standards

• IOTC-Regional_Observer_Scheme_Standards
• ROS Observer coordinator trainer minimum standards
• IOTC Regional Observer Scheme Data  Standards
• ROS Field observer competency standards
• ROS Briefing-debriefing procedures
• ROS Health and safety equipment checklist
• ROS Emergency action plan
• ROS Code of conduct
• ROS Vessel pre-safety check
• Electronic monitoring program standards
• Electronic monitoring system and data standards

Training Materials

A training package to train observer logistics coordinators and scientific field observers was developed during the IOTC ROS pilot project. It is strongly recommended that National Observer Programme administrators from IOTC CPCs contact the Secretariat for guidance on running any observer training programmes.

• Scientific field observer manual (PDF file)
• ROS Observer coordinator training minimum standards
• ROS Basic field observer training curriculum

Reporting 

• The IOTC ROS Data Reporting Forms are used for submitting data collected by onboard observers and reviewers (“dry observers”) analysing video from electronic monitoring systems to the IOTC Secretariat. Templates are available by gear group — gillnets, longlines, pole-and-lines, and purse seines — and are accompanied by a detailed description of each data field, including definitions, expected formats, and whether fields are mandatory or optional, as endorsed by the IOTC Scientific Committee
• All historical and current versions of the ROS data collection and reporting forms are publicly available on Zenodo (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17090245)
• The relevant IOTC code lists can be accessed through the IOTC Reference Data Catalogue, the iotc-data-reference-codelists R package, and Zenodo (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15743874)
• EMS Vessel monitoring plans

Supporting Materials

• IOTC Species Identification Cards