An overview on large pelagic species and estimation of by-catch by Iranian fishing vessels (gillnets) in IOTC competence of area in 2021

Iran fishing grounds in southern waters of country are of the oldest and most important resources of large pelagic species. There are 4 coastal provinces in those areas and more than 11 thousand vessels consist of fishing boat, dhows and vessels which are engaged in fishing in the coastal and offshore waters. There are three fishing methods targeting tuna and tuna-like species in the IOTC area which include gillnet and purse seine and also some of small boats use trolling in coastal fisheries. In order to assess the level of Iranian tuna fishing vessels By-catch in the IOTC area of competence in 2021 tuna fisheries data which are collected through the Iran Fishery Organization Data Collection system are used. Base on the information, around 30 different species of Tuna, Tuna-like and some others are caught by Iranian fishermen through the Tuna fishing activities. Base on the information in total, 308231 tons of different species including, 248806 tons Tuna and Tuna-like species, 26077 tons Billfish, 4085 tons of Sharks and 29263 tons the other species, are caught by Iranian fishing vessels in the IOTC area of competence. According to IOTC target species list (16 species covered by IOTC agreement) 89% of Iran catch belong to target species and 11% of catch belong to non-target species, in the 2021.