WSDAT-01: Workshop on Data Provision Improvement: Industrial Longline Fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

As a result of a SAC and Commission endorsed staff recommendation (SAC-12-16, General Data Provisions) to hold a series of workshops to revise resolution C-03-05 in consultation with CPCs and taking into consideration the elements presented in SAC-12-09, the staff planned and facilitated the 1st workshop in the series which focused on the industrial longline fishery ( WSDAT-01). This document includes the recommendations from the workshop that were revised based on discussions with workshop participants and consultations with individual members and cooperating non-members (CPCs). Discussions were stimulated after staff and external presentations that provided background information, case examples on incentives for improving data collection and the staff’s preliminary recommendations (WSDAT-01-01).

Presentation: Why do we need better data? • Antigua Convention à mandates scientific basis for management • Need for better assessments à data is the limiting factor • Public awareness of potential ecological impacts of tuna fishing • Advances in science and technology • Increasing number and range of tasks requested of IATTC staff • Fishery certification • Changes in the fisheries (e.g., increase in FAD sets)