Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB)

Purpose

To review and analyse matters relevant to bycatch, byproduct and non-target species which are affected by IOTC fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species (i.e. sharks, marine turtles, seabirds, marine mammals and other fishes), as well as the ecosystems in which they operate; and to develop mechanisms which can be used to better integrate ecosystem considerations into the scientific advice provided by the Scientific Committee to the Commission.

• Status of development and implementation of National Plans of Action for seabirds and sharks, and implementation of the FAO guidelines to reduce marine turtle mortality in fishing operations

Current focus species/groups include:

Current focus species/groups for wpeb

English name (click for status)	Scientific name	FAO code	Image
Sharks
Blue sharks	Prionace glauca	BSH
Oceanic whitetip sharks	Carcharhinus longimanus	OCS
Scalloped hammerhead sharks	Sphyrna lewini	SPL
Shortfin mako sharks	Isurus oxyrinchus	SMA
Silky sharks	Carcharhinus falciformis	FAL
Bigeye thresher sharks	Alopias superciliosus	BTH
Pelagic thresher sharks	Alopias pelagicus	PTH
Marine turtles
Flatback turtle	Natator depressus
Green turtle	Chelonia mydas
Hawksbill turtle	Eretmochelys imbricata
Leatherback turtle	Dermochelys coriacea
Loggerhead turtle	Caretta caretta
Olive ridley turtle	Lepidochelys olivacea
Seabirds
Numerous species

Current workplan

You can consult the current program of work for the Scientific Committee and its Working Parties, as endorsed by the Scientific Committee at its most recent Session.

Current Chairperson Dr Mariana Tolotti (EU,France), 2nd term ends at the close of the WPEB in 2025.	Current Vice-Chairpersons 1st: Mr Mohammed Koya (India), 2nd term ends at the close of the WPEB in 2025. 2nd: Dr Charlene da Silva (South Africa), 2nd term ends at the close of the WPEB in 2025.