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To facilitate data and information reporting of CPCs, the Secretariat has developed template reports concerning reporting requirements that form part of the Resolutions adopted by the Commission.
Reporting Guidelines were published by the IOTC at the beginning of every calendar year, and were updated within the year as new conservation and management measures adopted within the year come into force.
Since the entry into production of the e-MARIS application, they are available in the application and under the e-MARIS calendar.
IOTC Agreement Article X: Report of Implementation
"Each CPCs shall submit an annual statement of the actions taken with respect to IOTC conservation and management measures since the previous meeting."
The Report of implementation is available in the e-MARIS aplication.
"In preparation for the meeting of the IOTC Compliance Committee the IOTC Secretariat will send each CPC, four months prior to the annual meeting, a standard questionnaire on compliance with the various IOTC Resolutions governing conservation and management for receiving comments and answers from the concerned CPCs within 45 days;Each CPCs shall submit an annual statement of the actions taken with respect to IOTC conservation and management measures since the previous meeting."
The Compliance Questionnaire is available in the e-MARIS aplication.
Report of the 17th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
INFORMATION REQUIRED: RESPONSE TO LETTER OF FEEDBACK ON COMPLIANCES ISSUES
"The Commission AGREED that a deadline of 60 days before the next annual Session of the Commission be established for all CPCs to respond to the ‘feedback letters on compliance issues’ from the Commission and based on the deliberations of the CoC each year."
Use the template annexed to the letter of feedback
Report of the 4th Session of the Scientific Committee
INFORMATION REQUIRED: NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT
"The Scientific Committee agreed to request from countries, whether they attend or not the next session, to present the Committee with a National Report which would provide general fisheries statistics, report on the implementation of Committee recommendations, national research programs currently in place and other relevant subjects. The Committee requested the Secretariat to prepare a template with an outline of items that should be included in the report to guide in the preparation of such reports."
Download the latest template report
Note: The submission of a National Report is mandatory, irrespective of whether a CPC intends on attending the annual meeting of the SC or not and shall be submitted no later than 15 days prior to the SC meeting.
Resolution 23/01 - On management of anchored fish aggregating devices (AFADs)
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: AFADs TO BE MARKED
"Until a scheme to operationalise the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear (VGMFG) is developed, CPCs shall ensure that their vessels only use AFADs that are permanently marked with a Unique National Identification (UNI) number that identifies either the CPC or the vessel(s) that the AFAD belongs to (which ever applicable). The UNI number shall be clearly and permanently marked on the buoy of the AFAD"
Download the report template to report on marking of AFADs
Download the e-MARIS report template
INFORMATION REQUIRED: ANCHORED FADs DEPLOYED, LOST, ABANDONED, DISCARDED AND INSPECTED
" The details of the new AFADs deployed within the EEZ of the CPCs (date of deployment, GPS position and the UNI number) shall be reported to the IOTC within 21 days of deployment of the AFADs, and its data confidentiality shall be maintained by the Secretariat. CPCs shall also maintain a register of deployed, lost, abandoned, and discarded AFADs and report this data to the IOTC Executive Secretary in their annual Implementation Report. CPCs shall conduct inspections at sea to ensure that the AFADs are clearly and permanently marked with UNI number. CPCs with limited capacity to undertake at sea inspections may implement port inspections to ensure that the AFADs deployed are constructed and marked as per the requirements specified in this Resolution. CPCs shall communicate the number and outcome of inspections (at sea or in port) in their Annual Implementation Report"
Download the report template to report on Anchored FADs deployed, lost, abandoned, discarded and inspected (Excel)
Download the e-MARIS report template
Resolution 22/02 On establishing a programme for transhipment by large-scale fishing vessels
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF AUTHORISED CARRIER VESSELS
"Each CPC shall submit, electronically where possible, to the IOTC Executive Secretary the list of the carrier vessels that are authorised to receive transhipments from its LSTLVs in the IOTC area of competence. This list shall include the following information: a. flag of the vessel; b.name of vessel, register number; c. IMO number; d.previous name (if any);e.previous flag (if any); f. previous details of deletion from other registries (if any); g.International Radio Call Sign;h.type of vessels, length, gross tonnage (GT) and carrying capacity;i.name and address of owner(s) and operator(s); j. time period authorised for transhipping; k. type of transhipment authorised (i.e., in port and/or at sea); l. Colour photographs of the vessel showing:•the starboard side and portside of the vessel, each showing the whole structure, • the bow of the vessel, • at least one of the photographs clearly showing at least one of the external markings specified in 8(b) or 8(c)."
The declaration of Carrier Vessels is now handled through the IOTC e-RAV: you can download the reporting templates and access the e-RAV here.
Resolution 22/02 On establishing a programme for transhipment by large-scale fishing vessels
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF AUTHORISED CARRIER VESSELS
"Each CPC shall submit, electronically where possible, to the IOTC Executive Secretary the list of the carrier vessels that are authorised to receive at-sea transhipments from its LSTLVs in the IOTC area of competence."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: AT SEA TRANSHIPMENTS – CPCs REPORTS PARTICIPATING IN THE ROP
"Each CPCs shall submit the quantities of species transhipped during the previous year;
Each CPCs shall submit the list of LSTV’s registered in the IOTC Record of which have transhipped during the previous year;"
Download the template report (List of LSTLVs and quantities of species)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: AT SEA TRANSHIPMENTS – CPCs REPORTS PARTICIPATING IN THE ROP
"Each CPCs shall submit a comprehensive report assessing the content and conclusions of the reports from the observers assigned to the carrier vessels which have received transhipments from your LSTLV’s."
Download the report template (Assessment of observer reports)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION ON POSSIBLE INFRACTION IN 2022 OF IOTC REGULATIONS BY LSTLVS/CARRIER VESSELS
"The IOTC Secretariat shall, when providing CPCs with copies of all raw data, summaries and reports in accordance with paragraph 10 of Annex IV to this Resolution, also indicate evidence indicating possible violation of IOTC CMMs by LSTLVs/carrier vessels flagged to that CPC. Upon receiving such evidence, each CPC shall investigate the cases and report the results of the investigation back to the IOTC Secretariat three months prior to the annual Session of the IOTC Compliance Committee. The IOTC Secretariat shall circulate among CPCs the list of names and flags of the LSTLVs/Carrier vessels that were involved in such possible violations as well as the response of the flag CPCs 80 days prior to the annual Session of the IOTC Compliance Committee."
Note: The timeline has changed to allow the WPICMM to make the assessment of the responses to the possible infraction and to allow the IOTC Secretariat to provide a working paper to the WPICMM each year.
INFORMATION REQUIRED: FEE OF THE IOTC REGIONAL OBSERVER PROGRAMME (ROP) TO MORNITOR TRANSHIPMENT AT SEA
"The costs of implementing this program shall be financed by the flag CPCs of LSTLVs wishing to engage in transhipment operations. The fee shall be calculated on the basis of the total costs of the program. This fee shall be paid into a special account of the Secretariat and the Executive Secretary shall manage the account for implementing the program."
Resolution 22/02 On establishing a programme for transhipment by large-scale fishing vessels (Annex 1 - In-port transhipment by LSTV)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON TRANSHIPMENTS IN FOREIGN PORTS
"Each flag CPC of the LSTV shall include in its annual report each year to IOTC the details on the transhipments by its vessels in foreign ports: the quantities by species transhipped by their flag vessels during the previous calendar year and the list of the LSTVs registered in the IOTC RAV which have transhipped during the previous calendar year."
[Objection received from India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Madagascar, Oman and Somalia: does not apply to these CPCs. Resolution 19/01 remains binding for Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Madagascar, Oman and Somalia. Resolution 18/01 remains binding for India.]
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF VESSELS FISHING YELLOWFIN TUNA
"For the purposes of the implementation of this resolution, each CPC shall, by 15 February of the following year, notify to the Executive Secretary the list of vessels, which have fished for yellowfin tuna in the IOTC area of competence for the preceding year."
Download the report template to report the list of vessels fishing YFT (Excel)
NOTE: This requirement is different from the Resolution 10/08. The list must includes all vessels and not only those on the RAV.
INFORMATION REQUIRED: CPC SUBJECT TO CATCH REDUCTIONS, OVER-CATCH, REPORT ON CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN TO ADHERE TO PRESCRIBED CATCH LEVELS
"CPCs that are subject to catch reductions due to over-catch shall inform the Commission via the IOTC Compliance Committee, corrective actions taken by the CPC to adhere to the prescribed catch levels, in their implementation Report."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON METHODS FOR ACHIEVING THE YFT CATCH REDUCTIONS
"CPCs will determine appropriate methods for achieving these catch reductions, which could include capacity reductions, effort limits, etc.., and will report to the IOTC Secretariat in their Implementation Report every year."
[VALID FOR OMN, IDN, IRN, MDG, SOM UNDER 19/01 (12), FOR IND UNDER 18/01 (7)]
INFORMATION REQUIRED: CATCH LIMITS - NOMINAL CATCH OF YFT
" Catch limits: 5. CPCs whose reported catches of yellowfin tuna for 2014 were above 5000t shall reduce their catches of yellowfin tuna by 21% compared to 2014 yellowfin tuna catch, except…; 15. CPCs that are subject to catch reductions due to over-catch shall inform the Commission via the IOTC Compliance Committee, corrective actions taken by the CPC to adhere to the prescribed catch levels, in their implementation Report."
[VALID FOR OMN, IDN, IRN, MDG, SOM UNDER 19/01 (12), FOR IND UNDER 18/01 (7)]
INFORMATION REQUIRED: GILLNET, REPORT THE LEVEL OF IMPLEMENTATION OF PARAGRAPHS 21-23
" Paragraph 21-24:
- Without prejudice to Article 16 of the IOTC Agreement, CPCs shall encourage phasing out or convert gillnet fishing vessels to other gears, considering the huge ecological impact of these gears and fast track the implementation of Resolution 17/07 “On the Prohibition to use large-scale driftnets in the IOTC”, noting that large-scale driftnets are prohibited in the IOTC Area of Competence from 1 January 2022.
- CPCs shall set their gillnets at 2m depth from the surface in gillnet fisheries by 2023 to mitigate ecological impacts of gillnets.
- CPCs are encouraged to increase their observer coverage or field sampling in gillnet fishing vessels by 10% using alternative data collection methodologies (electronic or human) verified by the IOTC Scientific Committee by 2023.
- CPCs shall report the level of implementation of paragraphs 21-23 to the Commission via the Compliance Committee."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON PLANS/STATUS OF REDUCING THE USE OF SUPPLY VESSELS.
"CPCs shall gradually reduce supply vessels in purse seine operations targeting tropical tuna, by 31st December 2022 as specified below in (a) and (b). Flag States shall submit the status of reducing the use of supply vessel as part of the report of Implementation to the Compliance Committee."
[VALID FOR OMN, IDN, IRN, MDG, SOM UNDER 19/01 (12), FOR IND UNDER 18/01 (7)]
INFORMATION REQUIRED: PURSE SEINERS SERVED BY SUPPLY VESSEL
"CPC/flag States shall report annually before the 1st of January for the coming year of operations which Purse seiners are served by each Supply vessel. This information will be published on IOTC website so as to be accessible to all CPCs and is mandatory."
[VALID FOR OMN, IDN, IRN, MDG, SOM UNDER 19/01 (12)]
Resolution 19/02 Procedures on a Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) management plan
INFORMATION REQUIRED: FADs MANAGEMENT PLAN
"CPCs having vessels fishing on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) shall submit, to the Commission, Management Plans for the use of FADs by their purse seiners vessels."
Download the Guidelines for Preparation for FAD Management Plans for DFAD
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF FADs MANAGEMENT PLAN
"CPCs shall submit to the Commission, 60 days before the Annual Meeting, a report on the progress of the management plans of FADs, including, if necessary, reviews of the initially submitted Management Plans, and including reviews of the application of the principles set out in Annex III."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: FADs TO BE MARKED.
"Until the marking scheme referred to in paragraph 20 is adopted, CPCs shall ensure that the instrumented buoy attached to the DFAD contain a physical, unique reference number marking (ID provided by the manufacturer of the instrumented buoy) and the vessel unique IOTC registration number clearly visible."
PROHIBITION TO: INTENTIONALLY SETTING ANY GEAR TYPE ON MOBULID RAYS
"CPCs shall prohibit all vessels from intentionally setting any gear type for targeted fishing of mobulid rays in the IOTC Area of Competence, if the animal is sighted prior to commencement of the set."
PROHIBITION TO: GAFF, LIFT BY THE GILL SLITS/SPIRACLES, PUNCH HOLES THROUGH THE BODIES OF MOBULID RAYS & OBLIGATION TO RELEASE ALIVE, IMPLEMENT OF LIVE RELEASE HANDLING PROCEDURES OF MOBULID RAYS
"CPCs shall require all their fishing vessels, other than those carrying out subsistence fishery, to promptly release alive and unharmed, to the extent practicable, mobulid rays as soon as they are seen in the net, on the hook, or on the deck, and do it in a manner that will result in the least possible harm to the individuals captured. The handling procedures detailed in Annex I, while taking into consideration the safety of the crew shall be implemented and followed."
PROHIBITION TO: RETAIN ONBOARD, TRANSHIP, LAND, STORE MOBULID RAYS
"CPCs shall prohibit all vessels retaining onboard, transhipping, landing, storing, any part or whole carcass of mobulid rays caught in the IOTC Area of Competence."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF AUTHORIZED VESSELS 24 METRES IN LENGTH OVERALL OR MORE & LIST OF AUTHORIZED VESSELS LESS THAN 24M, OPERATING IN WATERS OUTSIDE EEZ OF THE FLAG STATE
"Each Contracting Party and Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (hereinafter referred to as "CPC") shall submit electronically, to the IOTC Executive Secretary for those vessels referred to 1(a) and for those vessels referred to 1(b), the list of its AFVs that are authorised to operate in the IOTC area of competence".
The declaration of Fishing Vessels is now handled through the IOTC e-RAV: you can download the reporting templates and access the e-RAV here.
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON REVIEW OF FLAG STATE INTERNAL ACTIONS & MEASURES, PUNITIVE ACTIONS AND SANCTIONS ON FLAG VESSELS ON THE RAV
"CPCs shall review their own internal actions and measures taken pursuant to paragraph 11, including punitive actions and sanctions and, in a manner consistent with domestic law as regards disclosure, report the results of the review to the Commission annually.''
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON VESSELS ENGAGED IN FISHING OR TRANSHIPMENT AND NOT ON THE IOTC LIST OF AUTHORISED VESSELS
"Each CPC shall notify the IOTC Executive Secretary of any factual information showing that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting vessels not on the IOTC Record to be engaged in fishing for and/or transhipment of tuna and tuna-like species in the IOTC area of competence.''
INFORMATION REQUIRED: TEMPLATE OF THE OFFICIAL AUTHORISATION TO FISH OUTSIDE NATIONAL JURISDICTIONS
"All CPCs which issue authorisations to fish to their flag vessels to fish for species managed by the IOTC shall submit to the IOTC Executive Secretary, an updated template of the official authorisation to fish outside National Jurisdictions with information concerning these ATF (paragraphs a, b, c, d)."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: VESSELS TO CARRY ON BOARD AUTHORISATION TO FISH AND/OR TRANSHIP AND CERTIFICATE OF VESSEL REGISTRATION
" The flag CPCs of the vessels on the record shall take necessary measures to ensure that their AFVs on the IOTC Record keep on board valid certificates of vessel registration and valid authorisation to fish and/or tranship."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: FISHING VESSELS TO BE MARKED
" Each Contracting Party and Cooperating Non-Contracting Party with the IOTC shall ensure that its fishing vessels authorised to fish in the IOTC area of competence are marked in such a way that they can be readily identified with generally accepted standards such as the FAO Standard Specification for the Marking and Identification of Fishing vessels."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: PASSIVE FISHING GEARS TO BE MARKED
" Each Contracting Party and Cooperating Non-Contracting Party with the IOTC shall ensure that: 1) Each gear used by its fishing vessels authorised to fish in the IOTC area of competence is marked appropriately, e.g., the ends of nets, lines and gear in the sea, shall be fitted with flag or radar reflector buoys by day and light buoys by night sufficient to indicate their position and extent; 2) Marker buoys and similar objects floating and on the surface, and intended to indicate the location of fixed fishing gear, shall be clearly marked at all time with the letter(s) and/or number(s) of the vessel to which they belong."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: VESSELS TO CARRY ON BOARD BOUND NATIONAL FISHING LOGBOOK WITH CONSECUTIVELY NUMBERED PAGES WITH 12 MONTHS RECORDING.
" Each Contracting Party and Cooperating Non-Contracting Party with the IOTC shall ensure that all their respective fishing vessels of 24 meters or above and vessels less than 24 meters if fishing outside their EEZ, and are registered on the IOTC Record of fishing vessels and authorised to fish in the IOTC area of competence, keep a bound fishing national logbook with consecutively numbered pages. The original recordings contained in the fishing logbooks shall be kept on board the fishing vessel for a period of at least 12 months."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: RETENTION OF TARGET TUNA SPECIES ON BOARD PURSE SEINERS
" Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties shall require all purse seine vessels to retain on board and then land all bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna, and yellowfin tuna caught, except fish considered unfit for human consumption as defined in paragraph 4b (i)."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: RETENTION OF NON TARGET SPECIES ON BOARD PURSE SEINERS
" Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties shall require all purse seine vessels to retain on board and then land, to the extent practicable, the following non-targeted species or species group; other tunas, rainbow runner, dolphinfish, triggerfish, billfish, wahoo, and barracuda, except fish considered unfit for human consumption as defined in paragraph 4b (i), and/or species which are prohibited from retention, consumption, or trade through domestic legislations and international obligations."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: PARTICULARS OF CHARTER AGREEMENTS (CHARTERING CP)
" The chartering CP shall report to the IOTC Executive Secretary by 28 February each year, and for the previous calendar year, the particulars of charter agreements made and carried out under this Resolution, including information of catches taken and fishing effort deployed by the chartered vessels as well as the level of observer coverage achieved on the chartered vessels, in a manner consistent with IOTC data confidentiality requirements."
Download the report template (For chartering CP only)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: INFORMATION ON THE PARTICULARS OF THE CHARTER AGREEMENTS AND DETAIL OF VESSELS (CHARTERING CP)
" The chartering CP shall notify the IOTC Executive Secretary and copy the flag CP of any vessel to be identified as chartered in accordance with this Resolution by submitting electronically where possible the following information with respect to each chartered vessel: 1. the name (in both native and Latin alphabets) and registration of the chartered vessel, and International Maritime Organization (IMO) ship identification number (if eligible); 2. the name and contact address of the beneficial owner(s) of the vessel; 3. the description of the vessel, including the length overall, type of vessel and the type of fishing method(s) to be used under the charter; 4. a copy of the chartering agreement and any fishing authorization or license it has issued to the vessel, including in particular, the quota allocation(s) or fishing possibility assigned to the vessel; and the duration of the chartering arrangement; 5. its consent to the chartering agreement; and the measures adopted to implement these provisions."
Download the report template (For chartering CP only)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: CONSENT, MEASURES, AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION OF IOTC CMMS (FLAG CPC)
" The flag CP or Cooperating Non-Contracting Party, shall provide the following information to the IOTC Executive Secretary and copy the chartering CP: a. its consent to the chartering agreement; b. the measures adopted to implement these provisions; and c. its agreement to comply with IOTC Conservation and Management Measures."
Download the report template (For flag CPC only)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: START, SUSPENSION, RESUMPTION AND TERMINATION OF THE FISHING OPERATIONS UNDER THE CHARTERING AGREEMENT
" Both the chartering CP and the flag CP or Cooperating Non-Contracting Party shall immediately inform the IOTC Executive Secretary of the start, suspension, resumption and termination of the fishing operations under the chartering agreement."
Download the report template (For both chartering CP and flag CPC)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: INFORMATION ON ACTIONS TAKEN DOMESTICALLY TO MONITOR CATCHES OF BLUE SHARK
" CPCs shall include in their national Annual Reports to the Scientific Committee information on the actions they have taken domestically to monitor catches."
Report in the National Report to Scientific Committee
INFORMATION REQUIRED: IUU LISTING AT PREVIOUS SESSION
"A CPC in possession of information that one or more vessels has engaged in IUU fishing activities within the IOTC Area within a 24 month period prior to the annual meeting of the Compliance Committee shall submit a list of such vessels to the IOTC Executive Secretary. Such submission shall be made at least 70 days before the annual meeting of the Compliance Committee using the IOTC Reporting Form for Illegal Activity (Annex I)."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: DRAFT IUU VESSELS LIST - INFORMATION ON IUU VESSELS - PROPOSAL FOR IUU LISTING FOR ADOPTION AT NEXT SESSION
"A CPC in possession of information that one or more vessels has engaged in IUU fishing activities within the IOTC Area within a 24 month period prior to the annual meeting of the Compliance Committee shall submit a list of such vessels to the IOTC Executive Secretary. Such submission shall be made at least 70 days before the annual meeting of the Compliance Committee using the IOTC Reporting Form for Illegal Activity (Annex I)."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: DRAFT IUU VESSEL LIST - COMMENTS AND INFORMATION FROM FLAG SATE ON VESSEL INCLUDED ON THE DRAFT IUU VESSEL LIST
" The flag State of a vessel included on the Draft IUU Vessel List may transmit to the IOTC Executive Secretary at least 15 days before the Annual Meeting of the Compliance Committee, any comments and information about listed vessels and their activities, including information pursuant to Paragraph 9.a) and 9.b) and information showing that the listed vessels either have or have not: 1. conducted fishing activities in a manner consistent with IOTC Conservation and Management Measures in force; or 2. conducted fishing activities in a manner consistent with the laws and regulations of a coastal State when fishing in the waters under the jurisdiction of that State, and with the law and regulations of the flag State and the Authorisation to Fish; or 3. conducted fishing activities exclusively for species that are not covered by the IOTC Agreement or IOTC Conservation and Management Measures."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: DRAFT IUU VESSELS LIST – REPORT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING VESSELS ON THE DRAFT IUU LIST
"A CPC may at any time submit to the IOTC Executive Secretary any additional information regarding vessels on the Draft IUU list, which might be relevant to the establishment of the IUU Vessel List. If the IOTC Secretariat receive this information after the Draft IUU Vessel List has been circulated to CPCs, it will circulate the information to all CPCs and to the flag States of listed vessels as soon as practicable."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: IUU VESSELS LIST – SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF VESSEL FROM THE IUU VESSELS LIST
"The flag State of a vessel included in the IUU Vessel List may request the removal of the vessel from the list at any time, including during the inter-sessional period, by providing information to the IOTC Executive Secretary."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: IUU VESSELS LIST – NEW OR CHANGED INFORMATION FOR VESSELS ON THE IOTC IUU VESSEL LIST
"A CPC with new or changed information for vessels on the IUU Vessel List in relation to the details in paragraphs 1 to 8 of Annex II shall, as soon as practicable, transmit such information to the IOTC Executive Secretary."
PROHIBITION TO: RETAIN ON BOARD, TRANSHIP, LAND, STRIPED MARLIN, BLACK MARLIN, BLUE MARLIN, INDO-PACIFIC SAILFISH SMALLER THAN 60 CM LOWER JAW FORK LENGTH
" CPCs shall not retain on board, transship, land, any specimen smaller than 60 cm Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) of any of the species referred to in paragraph 2, but shall return them immediately to the sea in a manner that maximizes post-release survival potential without compromising the safety of crew."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: INFORMATION ON ACTIONS TAKEN DOMESTICALLY TO MONITOR CATCHES & MANAGE FISHERIES OF STRIPED MARLIN, BLACK MARLIN, BLUE MARLIN AND INDO-PACIFIC SAILFISH
" CPCs shall include in their Annual Reports to the Scientific Committee information on the actions they have taken domestically to monitor catches and to manage fisheries for sustainable exploitation and conservation of Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Indo-pacific Sailfish."
Report in the National Report to Scientific Committee
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT REPORTING OBLIGATIONS & IMPROVE DATA COLLECTION OF CATCHES
" CPCs shall include information in their Annual Reports (Report of Implementation) on actions taken to implement their reporting obligations for all IOTC fisheries; including shark species caught in association with IOTC fisheries, in particular steps taken to improve their data collection for direct and incidental catches."
Resolution 17/05 on the conservation of sharks caught in association with fisheries managed by IOTC
PROHIBITION TO: FIN SHARKS
" Sharks landed fresh: CPCs shall prohibit the removal of shark fins on board vessels. CPCs shall prohibit the landing, retention on-board, transhipment and carrying of shark fins which are not naturally attached to the shark carcass until the first point of landing.
Sharks landed frozen: CPCs that do not apply sub-paragraph 3 a) for all sharks shall require their vessels to not have on board fins that total more than 5% of the weight of sharks on board, up to the first point of landing. CPCs that currently do not require fins and carcasses to be offloaded together at the point of first landing shall take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the 5 % ratio through certification, monitoring by an observer, or other appropriate measures."
Resolution 17/07 On the prohibition to use large-scale driftnets in the IOTC area
PROHIBITION FROM: USING LARGE-SCALE DRIFTNETS IN THE ENTIRE IOTC AREA OF COMPETENCE
" Each Contracting Party and Cooperating Non-Contracting party (hereinafter referred to as CPCs) shall take all measures necessary to prohibit their fishing vessels from using large-scale driftnets while on the high seas in the IOTC area of competence. They shall take all measures necessary to prohibit their fishing vessels from using large-scale driftnets in the entire IOTC area of competence by 1 January 2022.''
[Valid for Pakistan under Resolution 12/12 paragraph 2 on high seas.]
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON MCS ACTIONS RELATED TO LARGE-SCALE DRIFTNET FISHING
"CPCs shall include in their Annual Reports a summary of monitoring, control, and surveillance actions related to large-scale driftnet fishing in the IOTC Area of Competence."
[Valid for Pakistan under Resolution 12/12 paragraph 5 on high seas.]
Resolution 16/05 on vessels without nationality
INFORMATION REQUIRED: SIGHTINGS OF VESSELS SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED OF BEING WITHOUT NATIONALITY
"Any sightings of fishing vessels that are suspected of, or confirmed as being, without nationality that may be fishing in the high seas of the IOTC area of competence shall be reported to the IOTC Secretariat as soon as possible by the appropriate authorities of the Member or CNCP whose vessel or aircraft made the sighting."
Resolution 16/07 On the use of artificial lights to attract fish
PROHIBITION TO: USE SURFACE OR SUBMERGED ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS TO ATTRACT FISH
" Fishing vessels and other vessels including support, supply and auxiliary vessels flying the flag of an IOTC Contracting Party or Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (collectively CPCs) are prohibited from using, installing or operating surface or submerged artificial lights for the purpose of aggregating tuna and tuna-like species beyond territorial waters. The use of lights on DFADs is also already prohibited. CPCs shall prohibit their flagged vessels from intentionally conducting fishing activities around or near any vessel or DFAD equipped with artificial lights for the purpose of attracting tuna and tuna-like species under the mandate of the IOTC and in the IOTC area of competence."
PROHIBITION TO: USE AIRCRAFTS AND UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
" Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (collectively CPCs) shall prohibit their flagged fishing vessels, support and supply vessels from using aircrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles as fishing aids."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: ANY OCCURRENCE OF FISHING OPERATION UNDERTAKEN WITH THE AID OF AIRCRAFT OR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE
" Any occurrence of a fishing operation undertaken with the aid of aircraft or any unmanned aerial vehicle in the IOTC area of competence shall be reported to the flag State and the IOTC Executive Secretary, for communication to the Compliance Committee."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: DESIGNATED PORTS, COMPETENT AUTHORITY, PRIOR NOTIFICATION PERIOD IN EACH PORT STATE CPC
"Each CPCs shall submit designated ports, competent authority and period of notice"
Download the report template (Excel)
Download the e-MARIS template report
INFORMATION REQUIRED: INSPECTION REPORT & AT LEAST 5% INSPECTION OF LANDINGS OR TRANSHIPMENTS
"Port State CPCs shall, within three full working days of the completion of an inspection, transmit by electronic means a copy of the inspection report and, upon request, an original or a certified copy thereof, to the IOTC Secretariat."
" Each CPC shall carry out inspections of at least 5% of landings or transhipments in its ports during each reporting year. The IOTC Secretariat shall without delay post on the secure part of the IOTC website copies of all Port inspection reports transmitted by port State CPCs. All forms related to a specific landing or transhipment shall be posted together. "
Download the e-MARIS template report
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON DENIAL OF ENTRY INTO PORT
"Port State CPCs that have denied a foreign fishing vessel entry into its port shall communicate its decision to the IOTC secretariat."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON DENIAL OF USE OF PORT
"Port State CPCs that have denied a foreign fishing vessel the use of the port for landing, transshipping, packaging and processing of fish that have not been previously landed and for other port services shall promptly notify IOTC Secretariat."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: WITHDRAWAL OF DENIAL OF USE OF PORT
"Port State CPCs that have withdrawn its denial of use of port, shall promptly notify the IOTC Secretariat."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT OF VESSELS ENGAGED IN IUU FISHING FOLLOWING AN INSPECTION
"Where, following an inspection, there are clear grounds for believing that a vessel has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities the Port State CPCs shall promptly notify the IOTC Secretariat.."
Resolution 05/03 Relating to the establishment of an IOTC programme of inspection in port
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF FOREIGN FISHING VESSELS LANDING IN PORTS
"Each CPC shall submit electronically to the IOTC Executive Secretary by 1 July of each year, the list of foreign fishing vessels which have landed in their ports tuna and tuna-like species caught in the IOTC area in the preceding year. This information shall detail the catch composition by weight and species landed."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: TEMPLATE OF OFFICIAL FISHING LOGBOOKS
" Each flag CPC shall submit to the IOTC Executive Secretary by 15 February 2016 a template of its official logbooks to record data in accordance with Annex I, II and III, for publishing on the IOTC website to facilitate MCS activities. For CPCs that use electronic logbook systems, a copy of the applicable regulations implementing the electronic logbook system in that CPC, a set of screen captures and the name of the certified software may be provided. If changes are made to the template after 15 February 2016, an updated template shall be submitted. Where the logbook is not in one of the two languages of the IOTC, CPCs shall provide a complete field description of the logbook in one of the two languages of the IOTC together with the submission of the sample of the logbook. The IOTC Executive Secretary shall publish the sample of the logbook and the field description on the IOTC website.."
Resolution 15/03 On establishing a vessel monitoring system (VMS) programme
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: ADOPTION OF VMS FOR ALL VESSELS > 24 M AND < 24 M FISHING HIGH SEAS
"Each Contracting Party and Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CPC) shall adopt a satellite-based vessel monitoring system (VMS) for all vessels flying its flag 24 metres in length overall or above or in case of vessels less than 24 meters, those operating in waters outside the Economic Exclusive Zone of the Flag State fishing for species covered by the IOTC Agreement within the IOTC area of competence."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: VMS REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION AND TECHNICAL FAILURES
"Each CPC shall provide to the IOTC Secretariat, by 30 June each year, a report on the progress and implementation of its VMS programme."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: VMS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
"Those CPCs currently without a VMS for any additional vessel now meeting the criteria for inclusion in the VMS obligation since Resolution 06/03 was superseded, as defined in paragraph 1 above, shall submit an implementation plan to the Compliance Committee in April 2016 that sets out a phased approach to full implementation of their national VMS obligation within a maximum of 3 years, i.e. by April 2019, with at least 50% of all qualifying vessels compliant by September 2017."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: TEMPLATE OF THE OFFICIAL COASTAL STATE FISHING LICENSE
"Each CPCs shall submit the template of the official coastal State fishing License and translated version in one of the official Languages of the IOTC, with information concerning these licenses (paragraphs a, b, c, d, e)."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF FOREIGN VESSELS LICENSED IN EEZ
"All CPCs which issue licenses to foreign flag vessels to fish in their EEZ for species managed by the IOTC in the IOTC area of competence (hereinafter referred to as “the Area”), shall submit to the IOTC Executive Secretary, by 15 February every year, a list of all foreign flag vessels to which such licences have been issued during the previous year."
Download the report template for foreign vessels reporting (Excel)
Download the e-MARIS report template
INFORMATION REQUIRED: ACCESS AGREEMENT INFORMATION
"For Government to Government access agreement each CPCs shall submit copy of the access agreement and information concerning these agreements (paragraphs a, b, c, d, e, f, g)."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: FOREIGN VESSELS DENIED A LICENCE
"The CPCs shall notify the ship owner and flag State concerning foreign flagged fishing vessels that requested a license under a private access agreement or under a government-to-government access agreement and for which the request of license was denied. If the reason for denial is related to an infringement of IOTC CMMs, the IOTC Compliance Committee shall address the issue at the next session accordingly."
Resolution 13/04 on the conservation of cetaceans
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON INSTANCES OF CETACEANS ENCIRCLED
"CPCs shall report, in accordance with Article X of the IOTC Agreement, any instances in which cetaceans have been encircled by the purse seine nets of their flagged vessels. For CPCs having national and state legislation for protecting these species shall be exempt from reporting to IOTC, but are encouraged to provide data for the IOTC Scientific Committee consideration. The IOTC Scientific Committee will analyse the situation concerning the availability of data and will advise the Commission to undertake support measures to developing CPCs to overcome this situation."
PROHIBITION TO: SET PURSE SEINE NET AROUND A CETACEAN
"Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (collectively, CPCs) shall prohibit their flagged vessels from intentionally setting a purse seine net around a cetacean in the IOTC area of competence, if the animal is sighted prior to the commencement of the set."
Resolution 13/05 on the conservation of whale sharks
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON INSTANCES OF WHALE SHARKS ENCIRCLED
"CPCs shall report, in accordance with Article X of the IOTC Agreement, any instances in which whale sharks have been encircled by the purse seine nets of their flagged vessels. For CPCs having national and state legislation for protecting these species shall be exempt from reporting to IOTC, but are encouraged to provide data for the IOTC Scientific Committee consideration. The IOTC Scientific Committee will analyse the situation concerning the availability of data and will advise the Commission to undertake support measures to developing CPCs to overcome this situation."
PROHIBITION TO: SET PURSE SEINE NET AROUND A WHALE SHARK
"Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (collectively, CPCs) shall prohibit their flagged vessels from intentionally setting a purse seine net around a whale shark in the IOTC area of competence, if it is sighted prior to the commencement of the set."
PROHIBITION TO: RETAIN ONBOARD, TRANSHIP, LAND, STORE OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARKS
"Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, CPCs shall prohibit, as an interim pilot measure, all fishing vessels flying their flag and on the IOTC Record of Authorised Vessels, or authorised to fish for tuna or tuna-like species managed by the IOTC on the high seas to retain onboard, tranship, land or store any part or whole carcass of oceanic whitetip sharks with the exception of paragraph 7. The provisions of this measure do not apply to artisanal fisheries operating exclusively in their respective Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the purpose of local consumption."
Resolution 12/04 On the conservation of marine turtles
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTION 12/04
"CPCs shall report to the Commission, in accordance with Article X of the IOTC Agreement, their progress of implementation of the FAO Guidelines and this Resolution."
Download the report template (for Res 12/04)
Download the report template (for Res 12/04 & FAO)
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: LONGLINE VESSELS TO CARRY AND EMPLOY LINE CUTTERS AND DE-HOOKERS ON BOARD
"CPCs with longline vessels that fish for species covered by the IOTC Agreement shall Ensure that the operators of all longline vessels carry line cutters and de-hookers in order to facilitate the appropriate handling and prompt release of marine turtles caught or entangled, and that they do so in accordance with IOTC Guidelines. CPCs shall also ensure that operators of such vessels follow the handling guidelines in the IOTC Marine Turtle Identification Cards."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: VESSELS TO CARRY ON BOARD DIP NETS
"CPCs with purse seine vessels that fish for species covered by the IOTC Agreement shall Ensure that operators of such vessels, while fishing in the IOTC area carry and employ dip nets, when appropriate, to handle marine turtles."
Resolution 12/06 On reducing the incidental bycatch of seabirds in longline fisheries
INFORMATION REQUIRED: SEABIRDS REPORT – HOW CPC IMPLEMENT RESOLUTION 12/06
"CPCs shall provide to the Commission as part of their annual reports, information on how they are implementing this measure."
OBLIGATION REQUIRED: LONGLINE VESSELS TO USE MITIGATION MEASURES SOUTH OF 25°S
"In the area south of 25 degrees South latitude, CPCs shall ensure that all longline vessels use at least two of the three mitigation measures in Table 1. These measures should also be considered for implementation in other areas, as appropriate, consistent with scientific advice."
PROHIBITION TO: RETAIN ONBOARD, TRANSHIP, LAND, STORE, SELL THRESHER SHARKS OF ALL THE SPECIES OF THE FAMILY ALOPIIDAE
"Fishing Vessels flying the flag of an IOTC Member or Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CPCs) are prohibited from retaining on board, transhipping, landing, storing, selling or offering for sale any part or whole carcass of thresher sharks of all the species of the family Alopiidae, with the exception of paragraph 7."
Resolution 11/02 Prohibition of fishing on data buoys
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORT ON OBSERVATIONS OF DAMAGED DATA BUOYS
"CPCs shall encourage their fishing vessels to report to them regarding any data buoys observed to be damaged or otherwise inoperable along with the date of observation, buoy location, and any discernible identifying information contained on the data buoy. CPCs shall notify the IOTC Secretariat of all such reports."
PROHIBITION TO: INTENTIONALLY FISH WITHIN 1 NAUTICAL MILE OF OR INTERACT WITH DATA BUOY
"Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) shall prohibit their fishing vessels from intentionally fishing within one nautical mile of or interacting with a data buoy in the IOTC area of competence, which includes, but is not limited to, encircling the buoy with fishing gear; tying up to or attaching the vessel, or any fishing gear, part or portion of the vessel, to a data buoy or its mooring; or cutting a data buoy anchor line."
PROHIBITION TO: TAKE ON BOARD A DATA BUOY
"CPCs shall prohibit their fishing vessels from taking on board a data buoy while engaged in fishing for tuna and tuna-like species in the IOTC area of competence, unless specifically authorised or requested to do so by the Member or owner responsible for that buoy."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: LIST OF ACTIVE VESSELS
" All IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) with vessels fishing for tunas and swordfish in the IOTC area of competence (hereinafter referred to as “the Area”), shall submit to the IOTC Executive Secretary by 15 February every year a list of their respective vessels that were active in the Area during the previous year and that are: 1. larger than 24 metres in length overall; or 2. in case of vessels less than 24m, those operating in waters outside the economic exclusive zone of the flag state."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: COMPLIANCE BY NATIONALS AT PREVIOUS SESSION
"Without prejudice to the primacy of the responsibility of the flag State, the CPCs shall take appropriate measures, subject to and in accordance with their applicable laws and regulations: i) to investigate allegations and/or reports concerning the engagement of any natural or legal persons subject to their jurisdiction in the activities described, inter alia, in paragraph 1 of the Resolution 18/03 on Establishing a List of Vessels Presumed to Have Carried Out Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the IOTC Area; ii) to take actions in response to any verified activities referred to in paragraph 1 i); and iii) to cooperate for the purpose of implementing the measures and actions referred to in paragraph 1 i).
To this end, relevant agencies of CPCs should cooperate to implement IOTC Conservation and Management Measures and CPCs shall seek the cooperation of the industries within their jurisdiction."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: REPORTS ON ACTIONS AND MEASURES TAKEN TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AND/OR REPORTS ON IUU FISHING INVOLVING NATIONALS
"To assist with the implementation of this Resolution, CPCs shall submit reports subject to the national laws of confidentiality to the IOTC Secretariat and other CPCs on the actions and measures taken in accordance with paragraph 1."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: OBSERVATIONS OF NON-CONTRACTING PARTIES, ENTITIES OR FISHING ENTITITES INDICATING FISHING CONTRARY TO IOTC CMMs.
"Any observation by a Contracting Party vessel or aircraft of Non-Contracting Party, Entity or fishing Entity vessels, indicating that there are grounds for believing that these vessels are fishing contrary to IOTC Conservation or Management Measures… Each Contracting Party making the observation shall also immediately notify the IOTC Secretariat, which, in turn, shall notify the other Contracting Parties."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: INFORMATION ON THE RESULTS OF INSPECTIONS OF VESSELS OF NCP
"Information on the results of all inspections of vessels of Non-Contracting Parties, Entities or fishing Entities, conducted in the ports of Contracting Parties, and any subsequent action, shall be transmitted immediately to the Commission."
Resolution 01/06 Concerning the IOTC bigeye tuna statistical document programme
INFORMATION REQUIRED: ANNUAL REPORT FOR BIGEYE TUNA STATISTICAL DOCUMENT PROGRAMME
"CPCs which export bigeye tuna shall examine export data upon receiving the import data from the Secretary, and report the results to the Commission annually."
INFORMATION REQUIRED: INFORMATION ON VALIDATION OF STATISTICAL DOCUMENTS - NATIONAL AUTHORITIES AND AUTHORIZED OFFICERS
" The IOTC Bigeye Tuna Statistical Document must be validated by a government official or other authorised individual or institution of the flag State of the vessel that harvested the tuna, or, if the vessel is operating under a charter arrangement, by a government official or other authorised individual of the exporting state, and; The IOTC Bigeye Tuna Re-export Certificate must be validated by a government official or other authorised individual or institution of the state that re-exported the tuna. Each Contracting Party shall provide to the IOTC Executive Secretary sample forms of its statistical document and re-export certificate required with Bigeye tuna imports and information on validation in the format specified in Annex IV, and inform him/her of any change in a timely fashion."
Download the template report (To update validation information)
INFORMATION REQUIRED: 1st SEMESTER REPORT & 2nd SEMESTER REPORT ON IMPORT OF FROZEN BIGEYE TUNAS
"The Contracting Parties which import bigeye tuna shall report the data collected by the Programme to the IOTC Executive Secretary each year by April 1 for the period of July 1 – December 31 of the preceding year and October 1 for the period of January 1 – June 30 of the current year, which shall be circulated to all the Contracting Parties by the IOTC Executive Secretary."