Support to the IOTC Scientific and Compliance Committee’s Programs of work

Other projects

EU 1350

Support to the implementation of the IOTC Regional Observer Scheme

Support to the IOTC Scientific Committee Program of Work – Aspects of the biology of IOTC species

Support to the IOTC Scientific Committee Program of Work

Scientific and technical support for the Indian Ocean key tuna species management procedure development

Support to the IOTC Scientific Committee Program of Work – Strengthening the Precautionary Approach

Key facts

Beneficiaries:

Parties to the IOTC

Partners:

Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Union

Status:

Completed

About the project:

This project will support the work of the IOTC Scientific and Compliance Committees by: 1) improving scientific advice for the management of priority tuna, tuna-like and bycatch species caught in IOTC fisheries; 2) improving data for the management of tuna, tuna-like and bycatch species caught in IOTC fisheries; and 3) improve compliance with IOTC conservation and management measures. These three goals will be achieved through a series of activities that will contribute to the better understanding of tuna, tuna-like and bycatch species and the IOTC fisheris that interact with them as well as improving levels of compliance with existing IOTC conservation and management measures.

To achieve IOTC’s primary objectives, it is important that managers have the best possible scientific advice on of the IOTC stocks and their associated ecosystems and Members comply with their obligations related to data and implementation of IOTC conservation and management measures. To this end, the Commission focuses considerable resources on science and compliance with its conservation and management measures. The results of this project will lead to improvements in the scientific advice provided to the Commission which can be used to inform future management of IOTC fisheries.

Achievements and highlights:

Project activities:

Management procedures for albacore and skipjack tuna and swordfish will be finalised
The stock assessment for yellowfin tuna will be peer reviewed so that it is considered to be scientifically robust
A feasibility study will be carried out for a large-scale study which will seek to improved estimates of age, growth, reproduction and stock structure for sharks in the Indian Ocean
An ecological risk assessment for cetaceans will be carried out
Improvements will be made to data collection, reporting and management of Regional Observer Scheme data at national and regional levels by developing tools to support data management and reporting
Historical catch series will be conducted for artisanal fleets with persistent data quality issues
Streamlined reporting and management of compliance data by training compliance officers in the use of the eMARIS reporting system and integrating eMARIS with existing IOTC information and data management systems
Holding workshops to improve understanding of the operationalisation and implementation aspects of gear marking by national administrations and vessel operators
Training National PSM and PSC inspectors to strengthen regional and national interagency coordination to combat IUU fishing and fisheries related crimes

Updates, resources and publications:

Project document

Kiszka, J., Marchant, K. & Roberson, L. 2023. Ecological risk assessment of cetaceans to Indian Ocean tuna fisheries. IOTC-2023-WPEB19-24_rev3

Maunder, M., Langley, A., Howell, D. & Minte-Vera, C. 2023. Independent review of recent IOTC yellowfin tuna assessment. IOTC-2023-WPTT25-13_Rev2.

Hillary, R.M. & Mosqueira, I. 2023. Conditioning IOTC Albacore OMs using the ABC approach. IOTC-2023-WPM14-13.

Brunel, T. & Mosqueira, I. 2023. IOTC Swordfish Management Strategy Evaluation Update. IOTC-2023-WPM14-14.

Edwards, C. 2023. Status of MP development for Indian Ocean skipjack tuna. IOTC-2023-WPM14-16.

Hillary, R.M. & Mosqueira, I. 2024. Conditioning IOTC Albacore OMs using the ABC approach. IOTC-2024-WPM15-08.

Brunel, T. & Mosqueira, I. 2024. Proposal for amending the management procedure adopted for the Indian Ocean swordfish and practical aspect for its first implementation. IOTC-2024-WPM15-11rev2.

IOTC Secretariat. 2025. Development of Management Strategy Evaluation analyses for Indian Ocean albacore tuna. IOTC-2025-TCMP09-04.

Williams, A. & Preece, A. 2025. 2025 update on running the IOTC Bigeye Tuna Management Procedure for 2024. IOTC-2025-TCMP09-INF04.

Brunel, T. & Mosqueira, I. 2025. Proposal for amending the management procedure adopted for the Indian Ocean swordfish and practical aspect for its first implementation. IOTC-2025-TCMP09-INF06.