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Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
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Support to the IOTC Scientific Committee Program of Work – Aspects of the biology of IOTC species

Other projects

Support to the IOTC Scientific and Compliance Committee’s Programs of work
Support to the implementation of the IOTC Regional Observer Scheme
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
IOTC-Population Structure of IOTC Species in the Indian Ocean: Estimation with Next Generation Sequencing Technologies
View more
Key facts
Duration: 
January 2020 – December 2021
Funding: 
USD 499 885
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 contribute to improve the scientific information on the biology of tropical tunas (bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack) and swordfish – the four principle target species caught in by IOTC fisheries, in terms of tonnage and value. At present, some of the basic aspects of their biology are poorly understood, despite being among the most important species. Furthermore, the project will also investigate the biology of blue sharks, a bycatch species that is caught frequently by in IOTC fisheries.

The results of the project will provide updated information on parameters related to age, growth and reproduction of the four main target species, but also on the biology of blue shark in the Indian ocean. This will allow for better assessments of the stocks and better the information on which the fisheries management is based. Ultimately, this will strengthen the advice provided to the Commission on the management of these species.

Project activities: 
  • Improve the estimates of age, growth and reproduction of tropical tunas and swordfish using standard random sampling techniques, the extraction of otoliths, gonads and other relevant body parts from catches at sea and onshore for the preparation of samples analysis.
  • Improve the understanding of age, growth and reproduction of blue sharks using standard sampling techniques, the extraction of vertebrae, gonads and other relevant body parts from catches at sea and onshore for the preparation of samples and analysis.
Updates, resources and publications: 
Improving data limited method
Meeting document
Preliminary age and growth of blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the southwest Indian Ocean
Working Party document
Reproductive biology of the Blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the western Indian Ocean
Working Party document
Preliminary age and growth of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the western Indian Ocean
Working Party document
A review of the Reproductive biology of the swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the Indian Ocean
Working Party document
Estimating the age and growth of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Indian Ocean from counts of daily and annual increments in otoliths.
Working Party document
Estimating the age and growth of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Indian Ocean from counts of daily and annual increments in otoliths.
Working Party document
A preliminary report on Estimates of fecundity, age at maturity, sex ratios, spawning season, and spawning fraction for yellowfin tuna
Working Party document
Preliminary estimates of sex ratio, spawning season, batch fecundity, length at maturity for Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna
Working Party document
Preliminary estimates of sex ratio, spawning season, batch fecundity, length at maturity for Indian Ocean bigeye tuna
Working Party document
Preliminary estimates of sex ratio, spawning season, batch fecundity and length at maturity for Indian Ocean skipjack tuna
Working Party document
A comparison of direct age estimates from otolith and fin spine sections of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the Indian Ocean
Working Party document

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