Redevelopment of the Bycatch Management Information System (BMIS): status and future work plan including integrating regional bycatch data summaries

The WCPFC Bycatch Management Information System (BMIS) has been redeveloped as a global resource with funding provided by the FAO Common Oceans (Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction -ABNJ) Tuna Project. The new BMIS offers a broader range of curated material, retaining an emphasis on mitigation techniques and their efficacy, while expanding management topics to issues such as progress on data harmonisation, bycatch interaction rates, population-level assessments and fisheries management performance. It includes information on species identification, given its role in data quality and compliance, and on safe handling and release, which affects post-release survival rates. A logo, social media (Twitter) and a ‘Bycatch Bytes’ blog have been added. A new database platform improves data entry, real-time update and flexibility for future development. Additional content will be coming online through late 2018 including databases, maps and shark tagging meta-data.
The upgrade enhances the role of the BMIS in increasing and expanding knowledge of bycatch mitigation and management among those involved in tuna and billfish fisheries, thereby supporting the adoption and implementation of science-based management measures so that bycatch is managed comprehensively and sustainably.
The BMIS can be accessed at www.bmis-bycatch.org. Subscribe to the BMIS Twitter feed @bmis_bycatch. Provide feedback, report errors and send new content or ideas to [email protected].