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This is a comprehensive report for the IOTC-OFCF Project. The IOTC-OFCF Project had been implemented for five years from April 2002 to March 2007. Objective of the Project was to improve the accuracy of data collection and statistical analysis of the catch and resources of tuna in the Indian Ocean.
After examination of priority areas which were recommended by IOTC Scientific Committee and relevant working parties, details of Project activities, which would have been put into five major activities to be defined in the Project MOU, were carefully selected and were carried out every year. Five major activities were (1) Fact finding including compilation of Country Reports, (2) Implementation of Catch Monitoring Programs, (3) Trainings and Workshops, (4) Support for development of FINSS, and (5) Finding historical data. Each activity had mutual relation to attain the objective.
The Project dispatched the fact finding mission to 13 countries to assess issues and suitable activity for improvement of tuna statistics. Based on Fact finding, Country Reports for 12 countries were compiled. Considering results of fact findings and Country Reports, various aspects of supports including sampling programs, training courses and workshops were planned and implemented. Sampling programs were carried in Indonesia for monitoring catch of Fresh tuna longlines from June 2002 to December 2006, Thailand for catch monitoring for foreign fresh tuna longline from September 2002 to December 2006, Thailand for catch monitoring for domestic tuna purse seine from November 2005 to October 2006, Sri Lanka for catch monitoring of off shore gillnet/longline fisheries and coastal longline from June 2004 to December 2006, Maldives for mainly collection of size data from artisanal fisheries from June 2003 to March 2005, and Oman for yellowfin size data collection for artisanal fisheries between January and March in 2003. Besides on-site trainings for each sampling program, intensive training on data collection and catch estimation for Indonesia, Thai and Sri Lanka sampling programs were held. Regional Workshop on data collection and statistical systems was held and representatives from 10 countries participated. In order to support for development of FINSS (Fisheries Integrated Statistical System), that software was developed by IOTC Secretariat, training course for FINSS and workshop on database administration system were made. Equipment was provided to Mauritius and Tanzania for utilization of FINSS and further swift data processing. FINSS user’s manual was published and distributed to relevant institutes with software. Through fact findings, historical data were collected and computerized. OFCF also provided Fisheries Resource Management Course, and trainees from relevant 10 countries were invited.
Accurate catch, catch and efforts and size statistics were obtained through the Project activities, especially yellowfin and bigeye tuna from fresh tuna longlines. The Project activities were implemented efficiently, achieved the project goals. Most of sampling programs have been continued independently after the Project activities were terminated.
Successful implementation of the IOTC-OFCF Project was recognized at Scientific Committee Meeting in 2006, and continuation of the Project was recommended. IOTC and OFCF are discussing the second phase of the Project.
