Standardization of reporting formats and effort reporting for longline fisheries (Resolution C-11-08)

Citation
Griffiths S, Wiley B (2019) Standardization of reporting formats and effort reporting for longline fisheries (Resolution C-11-08). In: IATTC - 10th Meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee. IATTC-SAC-10 INF-H, San Diego, California
Abstract

IATTC Resolution C-11-08 mandates a minimum 5% observer coverage of the effort by each CPC’s fleet of longline vessels greater than 20 m length overall (LOA), and that this coverage be representative of the activities of the fleet. The primary duties of the observers are to “record any available biological information, the catches of targeted fish species, species composition and any available biological information as well as any interactions with non-target species such as sea turtles, seabirds and sharks”. These data, as well as a report summarizing the activities of the observed vessels, are to be reported to the Director by 31 March each year. The observer data are primarily intended for the IATTC scientific staff to produce annual catch estimates of non-target species for the Ecosystem Considerations report and the Fishery Status Report. The summary reports not only enable CPCs to demonstrate compliance with the minimum 5% representative coverage requirement, but the data reported also provide useful fleet and operational statistics.