MSC Pre-assessment publicly available

Participants confirmed

Workplan is available 

Study on the post-release survival of silky sharks was conducted; the study concluded that the best potential post-release survival rates can be achieved through safe handling/ release practices and other mitigation measures implemented on the vessel

The FIP attended the 24th (virtual) IOTC Working Party on Tropical Tunas; while there has been an increase in catch by some CPCs, SIOTI flag states continue to comply with the catch limit allocations

The work on the potential benefits of multispecies catch limits in harvest strategies was presented to the 13th Session of the Methods Working Group; recommendations for improving the model were made in the session

The 3rd surveillance audit of Echebastar has been made available; the report highlights that catch continues to exceed the catch limit set by the HCR and progress on additional control tools and dealing with allocation is needed

FADWATCH research project progress report made avilable; ATZI has conducted a dFAD dynamics and impact analysis in addition to an initial FAD survey

Intermediate report produced and updated on the study of the migratory pattern and habitat of the silky shark in the Indian Ocean; the study addressed mortality/ post-release survival and the overlap of the FAD purse-seine fishery in addition to migratory patterns

Silky shark tagging project study report updated; the post-release mortality of sharks is at its lowest when individuals are in good condition

SIOTI attended the IOTC Working Party on Tropical Tunas and Scientific Committee meetings in the 2nd semester of 2021. 

Second surveillance report made available for the Indian ocean skipjack tuna stock 

SIOTI Action Plan Review for year 4

New assessment on accidentally captured silky shark post-release survival in the Indian Ocean tuna purse seine fisher

Letter of Certification on Levels of Target Species in ANABAC Catch Composition

Code of Practice for Responsible Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries updated

Resolution 21/03 On Harvest Control Rules for Skipjack Tuna in the IOTC Area of competence was adopted at the 25th Session of the Commission

Management strategy meeting held virtually March 2021

SIOTI supported a study to explore alternative assessment models in terms of improving the assessments of yellowfin tuna. The resulting paper was presented at the 21st Session of the Working Party of Tropical Tunas.

Paper submitted on the core requirements of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) resulting from the impacts of tuna purse seine fishing in the Indian Ocean. 

The shark finning risk assessment was finalized and submitted and concluded that the risk of shark finning occurring in the SIOTI fleet was low. 

SIOTI support for training and rolling out of the ROS e-Reporting tools, extending the functionality of the tools, and ensuring interoperability of the tool with third party proprietary tools is complete. The consultant and IOTC secretariat provided training in Mauritius in April 2019, supported by SIOTI. 

 INOFAD looking at shark hotspots around the Indian Ocean.  Buoys with cameras.  Will provide basis for spatial measures

SIOTI and WWF have hosted a meeting with industry and some coastal states at the Brussels seafood expo in May 2019 to discuss HS/HCR options

SIOTI have, in April 2019, commissioned a consultant (Dr Maria Jose Jorda) to produce a working paper on EAFM for submission to the Sept 2019 WPEB.

Following a call by the SC (IOTC-2018-SC21-R: Appendix 38) for support from members in improving the assessments of yellowfin tuna, SIOTI have drafted a TOR and services agreement for exploration of alternative assessment models.

OPAGAC conducted a preliminary analysis on non-target species mortality, with a focus on ETP species (sharks, rays, mammals, turtles), in purse seine relative to other gears in the Indian Ocean.

Provision of short-term technical assistance to conduct an initial 2-day workshop with SFA / IRD / IOTC to review bycatch observer program and current bycatch data compilation processes.

Provision of short-term technical assistance to conduct an initial 2-day workshop with SFA / IRD / IOTC to review bycatch observer program and current bycatch data compilation processes. 

Development of a positional paper that analyses compliance history and trends in the purse seine fishery in the Indian Ocean.

The project management team have reached out to the fisheries administration of Seychelles to gauge support for strengthening compliance through IOTC recommended measures.

AZTI-Tecnalia completed their report on the current status of purse seine observer programs, which was submitted to the IOTC Working Party on Ecosystem and Bycatch

 Study by Gilles Hosch commissioned by SIOTI in March 2018 and report delivered in April 2018.

 SIOTI are currently liaising with WWF to support planned meetings with coastal states that are relevant to this work. 

In March 2018, SIOTI commissioned AZTI to produce a briefing document on the current status and planned development of harvest strategies within IOTC.

 In March 2018, SIOTI commissioned AZTI-Tecnalia to provide a report on the current status of purse seine observer programs, in conjunction with the annual coordination meeting between AZTI, IEO and IRD. The report further identifies entry points for SIOTI support.

Non entangling FADs trialled 

Enforcement of fishery management measures

The UoA aims to maintain secondary species above a biological based limit.

The management policy has clear long-term objectives to guide decision - making that are consistent with MSC fisheries standard and incorporates the precautionary approach.

Implement stock rebuilding strategy for YFT with a timeframe that is shorter of 20 years or 2 times its generation time

Put in place well defined and effective harvest control rules

The UoA does not cause serious or irreversible harm to the key elements of ecosystem structure and function.

Several conservation management measures have been adopted at the 26th IOTC session; a regional observer program has been established and MPI harvest objectives adopted.

Increase to PI 3.1.1; substantial progress made with regard to identifying and closing legislative gaps.

Increase in PI score 2.1.3

Increase in PI Score 1.2.3

PI increase 2.2.3

PI increase score 2.5.2

Increase in PI 1.1.2; rebuilding plan underway (IOTC Circular 2021-31)

Increase in 2.5.1; findings of Juan-Jorda (2021) and the MSC Public Certification Report for CFTO (Sieben et al, 2021)- the ecological trap hypothesis in relation to FAD use and the scale of fisheries removal impacts on the ecosystem as more purse seine fleets are considered.