An update on available data on cetacean interactions in the WCPFC longline and purse seine fisheries

In response to a proposal for amendments to the Conservation and Management Measure for Protection of Cetaceans from Purse Seine Fishing Operations (CMM 2011-03) by Korea (ROK, 2019), WCPFC16 tasked the SPC to compile available data on Cetacean interactions in the WCPFC longline and purse seine fisheries through the following recommendation:
521. The Commission tasked the Scientific Services Provider to review available data to provide estimates of fishery interaction types and levels with cetaceans, without respect to particular flags, to the lowest possible taxonomic level, in the WCPF Convention Area, and to provide a report to the Scientific Committee for its review.

In responding to the recommendation for review of the inclusion of the longline fishery into this CMM, a paper providing summaries of available longline observer data that are relevant to the potential estimation of the level and types of interactions with cetaceans was prepared for SC16 (Williams et al, 2020). This paper also provided a summary of information on the level and types of interactions with cetaceans in the purse seine fishery since this information is relevant to the current CMM.