IOTC Regional Observer Programme to monitor transhipments at sea

The IOTC Regional Observer Programme to monitor transhipments at sea (ROP) is aimed at preventing the laundering of fish through at-sea transhipments activities.  All at-sea transhipments are banned in the IOTC Area, except under special circumstances where it takes place under the Programme to monitor the transhipments.  Work under this Programme is outsourced; however, the Compliance Section of the IOTC maintains overall supervision of it.  This includes approving the training programme for the observers, approving the recruitment of observers, approving the deployment of observers and reports produced by the observers.

You can download the following related documents:

• Procedure for requesting observer deployment
• Request for observer deployment template in MS Word or MS Excel format.
• Report of the IOTC Secretariat on the IOTC Regional Observer Programme to monitor transhipments at sea and Report from the Consortium running the programme.
• IOTC Regional Observer Programme Manual
• Transhipment declaration Form

You can also consult the list of Authorized Carrier Vessels using our online tool.