Project proposals related to purse seine FAD use within the WCPO, as requested by the WCPFC FAD Intersessional Working Group

At WCPFC13 the Commission adopted the Report of the second meeting of the FAD-IWG (WCPFC13-2016-FADMgmtOptions-IWG02_rev2) and agreed that the outcomes therein should be further considered at SC13 and TCC13. The draft FAD-IWG02 Research Plan proposal was included as Attachment D to FAD-IWG02 report. In addition, the FAD-IWG Chair undertook to work with SPC, and the WCPFC Secretariat to further develop a costed project proposal for each of four identified research topics under three of the FAD IWG research areas, to SC13. The four research topics were entitled by the IWG as:
• FAD designs to reduce unwanted interactions with Species of Special Interest (SSIs; sharks, turtles);
• FAD designs to reduce unwanted catches of juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna;
• Acoustic FAD analyses;
• Fleet behaviour.
This paper provides a draft project proposal for each research topic, for discussion by SC13. Where feasible, indicative costs are included, noting that those involving sea trials and associated activities will require more detailed costings if the projects are taken forward. We note that at-sea trials are expensive, and require the collaboration and support of industry to be effective. Collaborative funding between WCPFC/CCMs, NGOs and in-kind support by industry should be considered.
We invite WCPFC-SC13 to:
• Discuss the four research proposals provided within this paper, in light of other papers provided to SC13 (in particular EB-WP-02);
• Consider convening a small working group during SC13 for more detailed discussions on each proposal;
• Consider prioritisation of any or all of these projects within the SC work plan;
• Consider and provide recommendations on the next steps for the draft FAD-IWG Research Plan (WCPFC13-2016-FADMgmtOptions-IWG02_rev2, Attachment D).