Changes to WCPFC Longline Observer Bycatch Data: Proposals in Response to a Minimum Suite of Harmonized Fields for Tuna RFMOs

Citation
Gilman E, Clarke S (2015) Changes to WCPFC Longline Observer Bycatch Data: Proposals in Response to a Minimum Suite of Harmonized Fields for Tuna RFMOs. WCPFC, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Abstract

The Joint Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations’ (t-RFMOs’) Technical Working Group-Bycatch (TWG-BYC) prioritized adopting minimum data fields and standardized collection protocols to enable interoperability of the t-RFMOs’ observer-collected bycatch datasets. A January 2015 meeting of experts on tuna longline observer datasets held in Keelung, Taiwan, identified a need for a systematic review of existing information collected by the t-RFMOs’ longline observer programmes in order to identify priority gaps in bycatch data. The group recommended developing a comprehensive list of variables that have documented significant effects on catch and mortality rates of taxa susceptible to capture in pelagic longline fisheries. It was intended that this comprehensive list would then facilitate identifying gaps in priority fields collected by each of the tuna RFMOs’ longline observer programmes.
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) with funding provided by the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (Common Oceans) Tuna Project commissioned a study to implement this recommendation, which resulted in the report, Potentially Significant Variables Explaining Bycatch and Survival Rates and Alternative Data Collection Protocols to Harmonize Tuna RFMOs’ Pelagic Longline Observer Programmes by Eric Gilman and Martin Hall (Appendix 1). Using the comprehensive list of 28 fields identified in the report, this summary document was prepared to identify a minimum suite of priority longline bycatch fields and standardized data collection protocols which, if not already implemented, should be included in the WCPFC’s longline observer programmes as soon as possible. Of the eleven fields in the minimum suite, seven are related to gear characteristics and fishing methods, whereas four are related to individual bycatch organisms.