Minimum standards for the implementation of electronic monitoring systems for the tropical tuna purse seine fleet

On the basis of experience gained during many trial studies of EMS on-board purse seine vessels, this document presents a series of proposed standards for the use of EMS to monitor these fisheries. It is recommended that ICCAT SCRS consider these draft standards in order to facilitate the use of this technology in the Atlantic Ocean. Both human observers and EMSs are complementary each with their own weaknesses and strengths. EMSs are still limited for a purely scientific monitoring program, covering all observers’ tasks, especially with the collection of biological samples. However, EMS is valuable for vessels where it is difficult to place an observer onboard or to increase the coverage achieved by human observers.